The Tigers went just 12-16 overall and 7-11 in conference play two years ago, but they regrouped in 2003-04 and won a school-record 25 games. Pacific then became the talk of the NCAA Tournament after knocking off Providence and nearly taking out Kansas in the following round. The reason for the Tigers' success was one of the best frontcourts in the conference, led by forward Christian Maraker and center Guillaume Yango. Maraker returns as the team's leading scorer from a season ago, averaging 12.6 ppg on 48.3 percent shooting from the floor. The talented junior forward also led the Tigers last year with 5.9 rpg and his 24 steals ranked second on the squad. However, the key to the 2004-05 season for Pacific will fall on the broad shoulders of Paris-born Yango. A preseason selection to win the Conference Player of the Year Award, Yango averaged 10.8 ppg and 5.8 ppg last year. He left his stamp for things to come at the end of last season, combining to score 40 points and grab 14 rebounds in the Tigers' two NCAA Tournament games. Yango and Maraker will be complemented by forward Tyler Newton (7.3 ppg) and senior guard Jasko Korajkic, who scored 4.8 ppg last year and should pose matchup problems for opponents with his height (6-7).