WAC basketball: 2017-18 power rankings

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 11: Members of the New Mexico State Aggies celebrate after defeating the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners 70-60 to win the championship game of the Western Athletic Conference Basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 11, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners fans cheer during a semifinal game of the Western Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament against the Utah Valley Wolverines at the Orleans Arena on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cal State Bakersfield defeated Utah Valley 81-80 in 4OT. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

3. Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners

2016-17 season result: 25-10 (12-2) – Lost in semi-finals of NIT

Head coach Rod Barnes enters his sixth year with the school and looks to build off the best couple of years fans have seen in their basketball history. Coming off a regular season title, Bakersfield went to the NIT semi-finals.

The teams and players they beat were Ivan Rabb and Cal, Mountain West player of the year Gian Clavell and Colorado State, and then Kevin Hervey and Texas Arlington before succumbing to Georgia Tech.

This year the team will take a step back with the losses of Jaylin Arlington and Dedrick Basile. A team who at times struggled to score, it remains to be seen how the team will replace those main contributors.

The hopes will be that one of the seven freshmen on the roster can have an immediate impact with the team — and that these newcomers can hit free throws, considering that they were dead last in free throw percentages.

While Damiyne Durham, who averaged 13 a game, can put the ball in the hole, it’s the defense that will be the key to staying near the top of the standings. Cal State was the top defense in the WAC in several categories, and, if the new players can continue the streak, then they’ll stave off potential threats from below the standings.