The Eastern Washington Eagles know what is left to accomplish. They don't need reminders or rhetoric or slogans.
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What they need, simply, is one more timely win.
The Eagles have never been more successful at the Division I level with 52 wins over the last three seasons. But they've fallen short in three straight Big Sky Conference Tournament title games by a combined 22 points.
"I look back with great pride the last three years with what those teams were able to accomplish," coach Ray Giacoletti said. "But if we're going to continue to improve, the only thing that would show improvement is to finish first."
EWU is poised to make a run at the Big Dance after playing in the NIT -- the junior prom? -- for the first time with last year's 18-win season.
The Eagles probably won't dunk as often, but they should have a better shooting team. Gone are Chris Hester and his 63 acrobatic career dunks, Keith Browne, T.J. Williams and Clint Hull, who transferred to Concordia University (Irvine, Calif.).
The Eagles boast a talented backcourt, led by seniors Alvin Snow, Brendon Merritt and Josh Barnard.
Snow, recovering from a nagging upper hamstring injury, has been a three-year mainstay. He is a dogged defender and capable scorer.
Merritt, honorable mention All-Big Sky as a junior, made 45 3-pointers last season, 10th on EWU's single-season list. He also had 49 steals and 77 assists. He can play point or wing.
Barnard represents the biggest change in EWU's lineup. The University of Washington transfer assumes Hester's position, but will operate mainly on the perimeter. He is an accomplished passer (14 assists in two exhibition games) and a deadeye shooter beyond the arc. He's comfortable playing in tough environments after one season in the Pac-10 as a Husky.
"He's just a good player," Snow said of Barnard. "He's someone you always want on your team."
Sophomore guard Danny Pariseau averaged 5.5 points, made 38.9 percent on 3-pointers and was second on the team with 82 assists last season.
The Eagles need a fifth perimeter player and that role might go to true freshman Eric Henkel, a 6-4 guard from Missoula's Sentinel High. He has been bothered by a bone bruise in his ankle, but was cleared to begin practicing last week.
Junior forward Marc Axton, who earned first-team All-Big Sky honors last year with Snow and Hester, is another versatile threat. He made 43 3-pointers and handed out 78 assists.
"If those four (Snow, Merritt, Barnard and Axton) all average 12, 13, 14 points I'd be happy," Giacoletti said. "Our guys understand it needs to be a team effort. There's no one guy who can go out and get it done."
Paul Butorac, a slender 6-9 forward from Medical Lake, will see time on the wing and as Axton's backup. His height could make him a difficult matchup for smaller defenders. "He's very skilled," Giacoletti said.
The inside game is EWU's biggest question mark. It'll probably be a tag-team effort among 6-11 junior Jeremy McCulloch, 6-10 senior Gregg Smith, promising 6-8 freshman Matt Nelson and 6-7 junior Khary Nicholas.
McCulloch is the likely starter, but the playing time probably will go to whoever is performing on game day.
"Jeremy has been in the program four years and he understands what he needs to do," Giacoletti said. "He needs to be able to go out with the scoreboard lit, night in and night out. He's had his moments and I'm very confident in him."
EWU has an assortment of tools offensively, but Giacoletti doesn't want to see a drop-off at the defensive end.
"We need to remember each night who we are and how we got to where we're at," he said. "It's done at the defensive end. Sometimes when you have a few more offensive weapons, teams don't think they have to play as hard on defense -- and that's not true."
Snow said that message has been received.
"That's what we do, that's what we pride ourselves in," he said. "And we know as a veteran team that's what we have to do."
Giacoletti considers EWU's schedule the toughest in his four years, in part because the Big Sky doesn't seem to have a weak link. The Eagles have dates with No. 14 Oklahoma, No. 10 Gonzaga, Washington, San Diego State and Iowa.
"Our guys relish the opportunity to go take a swing at those kind of teams," Giacoletti said. "The Big Sky will be as good as it's been from top to bottom."