The men’s basketball team began conditioning and individual workouts on Monday in preparation for the team’s first practice on Oct. 18 and season opener at Stanford on Nov. 9.

Last year the team set program records in wins with a 12-17 overall record and a 5-9 record in the Big Sky Conference. The team also won their first conference tournament game, an 88-75 win over Montana.

But a total of five players sat out all or part of last season because of academic ineligibility. Four of those five players are returning to the team for the 2003-04 season, including David Joiner, Cedric Thompkins, Joseth Dawson and Joel Jones.

“Although I can’t disclose specific information about any particular student-athletes, I can say that the eligibility status of the men’s basketball program as a whole is in a much improved position this year compared to last year,” said John Morris, Assistant A.D. for Student Services .

Official transcripts from courses taken over the summer by some members of the team have not been received or verified yet by the athletics department.

“We anticipate that most of the men’s basketball student-athletes currently on the roster will be eligible for competing, including many of those who were ineligible last year,” Morris said.

Head coach Jerome Jenkins confirmed that forward Emir Medunjanin will redshirt this season along with junior transfer Mark Schmidt and freshman Jason Gitzene.

The team has also been hampered by injuries to Jones and DaShawn Freeman.

“Thank God it is football season right now,” Jenkins said.

In addition to the academics , the team will prepare for the season by conditioning and weight lifting.

“The program is in a much better academic standing from a year ago,” Jenkins said. “The guys are figuring out that I mean business when it comes to academics. Obviously my job is about wins and losses, but for me it is bigger than that. I want to see my guys graduate. If they are not trying to graduate they won’t be a part of the program.”