First-year coach Kerry Rupp took on one of the biggest rebuilding jobs in the nation, with results having to be measured in intangibles.

Rupp took over from fired Keith Richard, inheriting one of the youngest, most inexperienced teams anywhere. The Bulldogs returned only four players from a team that won just 10 games -- and then some players were dismissed during the season. By the end of the season, Rupp had a mere nine players on the roster.

None of the team's top six scorers from the previous season returned.

So, predictably, Tech finished with a 6-24 record, and was last in the WAC with a 3-13 record. The Bulldogs lost in the WAC conference tournament play-in game, falling 64-62 to San Jose State.

Given the task, everyone has loads of patience with Rupp, who consistently praised his team's effort this season.

"They fight back," he said. "They've been resilient; they never give up. That's a big thing. ... It gives you some hope at the end of the day. We don't get down and surrender. They have tried to battle, and that's the thing that I've been pleased with."

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