When the UVA-Wise Cavaliers travel to Johnson City Saturday they will begin with 10 freshmen.
But a fresh start for Wise will not guarantee them a victory, as ETSU will bring experience and newfound size inside.
Last year, the Cavs were unable to secure a win against the Bucs, 81-55.
This year the Cavaliers, ranked 10th in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, will bring a new look when they visit the ETSU Bucs in the Memorial Center.
Only five players from the 2003 team will be returning. To fill the spots of those who left, 10 freshmen will have to face the Bucs. ETSU, which is coming off a winning season, has all but four of their players returning.
Returning for the Bucs will be Brad Nuckles, who has gained weight and beefed up for the new year.
Nuckles banked in 18 points and a double-double Saturday. Ben Rhoda, who is returning for his third season, also brought home a double-double.
When these teams meet it will be obvious who has the experience and who is starting anew. Even the newest ETSU transfers in Dillion Sneed and Chris Mitchell are highly touted Junior College recruits. Mitchell was a JUCO-All American.
The last meeting between these two teams occurred last season.
The Bucs came out victorious going .359 in field goals and grabbing 46 rebounds. On the Cavs side of the ball, they hit .288 of their shots and also grabbed 46 boards. Blocks and steals were an important factor in the outcome of the game. ETSU was able to knock down nine and steal 17.
UVA-Wise tallied with zero blocks and only four steals. The Bucs were led by Brad Nuckles with 16 points and four rebounds, followed by Jerald Fields who led with eight rebounds, while adding 12 points. Aaron Scott put up big numbers for ETSU with career-highs in foul shots, five; assists, three; and blocks, three.
UVA-Wise was led by senior Brandon Green who scored 17 points, while senior Bobby Hendrick and junior Dieontea Stewart each added 14. Chris Papst led in rebounds with 13. All four Cavs players are no longer with the team.
It should be the same scenario this year as ETSU is ranked not only to win the SoCon for the third straight time, but they also ranked in the preseason AP Poll.
The Cavs have gotten a head start on their 2004-05 season. On Nov. 5-6 the Cavs took part in the King College Tournament.
They lost both of their games, the first to University of Rio Grande, 70-52, and the second to King College, 70-59.
The game against King College was for third place. Freshman Seth Gibson scored 15 points with five rebounds, while Parker Gemmel and Blake Mellinger recorded 11 a piece.
Mellinger was also a force in the opener tallying 14 points and six rebounds. Since then the Cavs have played in the Rio Grande Tournament and faced Pikeville College and Montreat College.
On Nov. 19, they will warm up with Brevard College before heading over to face ETSU.
The Bucs have been successful against teams in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Last year they came out on top against UVA-Wise, 81-55, and Union College, 100-62.
ETSU has been playing Union College since 1930, leading the series 5-4.
The current streak is held by the Bucs, which won the last four meetings.

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