This is coach Leonard Perry's fourth team at the University of Idaho. He doesn't know if it's his best team, but it's already the best at something.

"Best chemistry, by far, no question," he said.

Why?

"I think this particular group (of returning players) needed to go through what it went through last year and now they have a better understanding," he said. "And the new kids have bought in. It's usually a coaching shock for them. Usually the work beats them down at some point, but this group works."

Gone are Perry's three security blankets. Tyrone Hayes (Utah Snowbears) and Rashaad Powell (Bellevue Blackhawks) are drawing checks in the American Basketball Association. Dwayne Williams exhausted his eligibility. Hayes and/or Williams either led or co-led Idaho in scoring in 25 of 30 games last season. Powell led in one other game.

Still, the cupboard is hardly bare. There are five seniors – Dandrick Jones, Tanoris Shepard, Anton Lyons, Armend "AK" Kahrimanovic and Lionel Davis – who were in the rotation last year. All but Shepard were JC transfers.

Junior David Radlovic has two years in the program and JC transfer Tihon Johnson impressed the staff so much he was immediately named a team captain. Sophomore Dillon Higdon saw time as a true freshman last season.

Freshman point guard Jerod Haynes, who has earned rave reviews from Perry and looked smooth in an exhibition win over Whitworth, heads the newcomers. Freshmen Jason Bowden-Key, a Chicagoan like Haynes, and 6-foot-8 Mike Kale also figure to contribute. Senior Matt Anderson, a first-year squad member, is another big body who adds to Idaho's interior depth.

The Vandals appear more capable in the open court, particularly with the addition of Haynes and Johnson. Idaho will probably play a smaller No. 4 (power forward) in Lyons, Kahrimanovic and possibly Jones, which could also benefit the transition game. Fast breaks have been rare during Perry's tenure at Idaho, but not in his previous assistant coaching stops at Utah State and Iowa State.

"I'd like to do it throughout the year, but it's going to depend on who we're playing and how they're defending us," Perry said. Idaho's personnel "does fit better than any other year."

Haynes looks to be a quality ball-handler, distributor and scorer.

"I love it," Haynes said of the transition game. "That's when I'm at my best. I think that's when our team is at its best. The players get to show their real talent when we push the ball up."

Added Johnson, a sturdily built 6-3 and 205 pounds: "With our guard play, we have a lot of firepower coming out of the back court, so (Perry) wants to get it up and down and get some points in transition."

Idaho's license to run is conditional. If it's effective, it'll continue. If turnovers and empty possessions become too common, Idaho will probably return to walk-it-up pace.

Perry's biggest concern is consistency in practice, but he's been pleased in general.

"I think we're establishing a work ethic in our program of doing it the same every day," Perry said. "Like machines, if we could get to that. . . . "

He didn't finish the sentence, but it's clear Perry is a fan of this team. Idaho will join the Western Athletic Conference after this season, so this is the Vandals' last chance to leave a lasting impression in the Big West.

Prognosticators expect the Big West to be a three-team race. Utah State and Pacific shared the regular-season title last year and most expect a similar battle this season. Cal State Northridge, which defeated Utah State in the semifinals and nearly knocked off Pacific in the Big West tournament championship game, should be in the mix. After that, Perry said, "it's a free-for-all."

Idaho has progressed from eighth to fifth to fourth in Perry's first three seasons. He has no intentions of taking a step backward.

"You guys are the experts," he said coyly. "All we do is play the games and I look forward to them. I don't know how much heed I put into it, but it's great for the media, fans, alums and boosters to discuss. In the meantime, we have work to do and we look forward to doing it."