PEPPERDINE WRAPUP: WAVES READY TO BE EVEN BETTER FIVE OF SIX TOP SCORERS WILL RETURN.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO - The end came quicker than expected for Pepperdine, which fell to Wake Forest 83-74 Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Midwest Regional at Arco Arena.

The Waves truly expected to advance to today's second round, a confidence nurtured through the course of a season in which they played one of the most difficult nonconference schedules in the country, shared the West Coast Conference regular-season title with Gonzaga and qualified for the NCAA Tournament under first-year coach Paul Westphal.

Westphal wasn't sure what to expect when he took over at Pepperdine after Jan van Breda Kolff left for St. Bonaventure last April. The new coach admitted after the Wake Forest loss that he never expected to reach the tournament. But this much he knew about the Waves shortly into the season: They were going to compete.

It was determination than enabled the Waves to compensate for the departure of three key players from last year's team - including Brandon Armstrong, who was a first-round NBA draft choice - upset USC and UCLA within the span of a week, put together a 13-game winning streak and win 17 of their last 20 games to earn a share of the WCC title and an at-large berth into the NCAA tournament.

Wake Forest denied Pepperdine the chance to extend its season one more weekend, but Westphal doesn't think the loss will stall the momentum the Waves created this year as they prepare to build on the success.

``We lose two seniors, but we think we're going to be in this tournament and hopefully go a little further next year,'' Westphal said.

Westphal has reason for optimism. Pepperdine returns five of its top six scorers - forward Jimmy Miggins (15 points), Boomer Brazzle (11) and Glen McGowan (10) and guards Terrance Johnson (13) and Devin Montgomery (11).

In addition, Pepperdine gets back power forward Will Kimble, who emerged at the end of the season as a valuable reserve, and backup point guard Gary Colbert. Robert Turner, who played sparingly, is a 6-9 forward brimming with potential, and Mike Westphal, the coach's son, is an outstanding shooter who delivered when he got the chance to play.

Micah McKinney, who fell out of the point-guard rotation in favor of Montgomery and Colbert, could transfer.

``We feel good about where we're at,'' Westphal said.

There will be some holes to fill, most notably at center, where 6-foot-11 Cedric Suitt provided sturdy defense and rebounding.

``It's going to be difficult to replace (Suitt),'' Westphal said.

McGowan, a 6-8 reserve power forward, could get the nod at center if Westphal elects to keep Miggins at power forward, Brazzle at small forward and Johnson and Montgomery in the backcourt. Kimble, whose minutes increased behind Suitt as the season progressed, is another possibility.

Turner is an intriguing prospect because of his size and athletic ability, although he seems better suited at forward.

The other loss is senior Craig Lewis, whose versatility, shooting and leadership will be missed. Lewis accepted his numerous roles while playing under three different coaches in four years. He was a clutch player for the Waves this year, hitting a last-second, game-winning 3-pointer to beat USC and delivering two important shots to help beat BYU.

Mike Westphal and Colbert will likely fill Lewis' role. Another candidate is freshman Alex Acker, who redshirted this year.

Pepperdine signed two players during the early-signing period, and both will add size. Derrick Grubb, a 6-10, 250-pound center from Colleyville, Texas, could see time as early as next year, while 6-8 forward Cody Horning from Longmont, Colo., will fight for minutes.

As for next year, the Waves should be favored to win the WCC title along with Gonzaga, meaning they could be right back in the tournament next season.

``We feel we have something to build on,'' Westphal said. ``I like where the program is headed.''