TRYING TO EXORCISE DEMONS PEPPERDINE USING EARLY EXIT AS NEW SEASON'S MOTIVATION.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

MALIBU - Nearly a year later, the disappointment lingers for the Pepperdine men's basketball team, and that's a good thing as far as the Waves are concerned.

It wasn't that their season-ending loss to Wake Forest in the first round of the NCAA Tournament was an upset. It's that Pepperdine looks back knowing it could have beaten the Deamon Deacons in Sacramento.

Instead, the Waves were done in by cold shooting during a critical second-half stretch, unable to take advantage of the chances Wake Forest gave them to advance to the second round.

``That's why we still think about that loss,'' Waves guard Terrance Johnson said. ``And that's why we'll probably think about that loss until we get back to the tournament and make up for it.''

Pepperdine coach Paul Westphal smiles when he hears such talk.

``I hope they don't get over it for a long time,'' Westphal said. ``That's not such a bad thing at all.''

Pepperdine forward Boomer Brazzle agreed.

``Man, we had plenty of chances to win that game,'' Brazzle said. ``We've turned the page on it, but we definitely haven't forgotten. We thought about it during the offseason quite a bit. This year, we don't want to just get back to the tournament, we want to get back and advance, win games. That's what this year is all about.''

The Waves have plenty of reason to believe they can return to the tournament, despite the fact West Coast Conference rival Gonzaga is just as good, if not better, than last year and that the WCC as a whole looks stronger this year compared to last.

Pepperdine returns nine players from last year's 22-9 team - including its top-five scorers - in addition to adding impact redshirt freshman Alex Acker, who should infuse more athletic ability to an already-athletic roster.

The losses were minimal - guard Craig Lewis and center Cedric Suitt were dependable players whose departures can be effectively absorbed.

``I like the versatility of this team, and I like the competitiveness,'' Westphal said.

All-conference forwards Jimmy Miggins and Brazzle, plus backcourt mates Johnson and Devin Montgomery, give the Waves plenty of scoring punch. Inside, 6-foot-10 junior Will Kimble and 6-9 forward Glen McGowan are improved from a year ago, giving the Waves hope the loss of Suitt - a 6-11 center who became Pepperdine's career leader in blocked shots - won't be a major setback.

McGowan is hobbling from offseason knee surgery and might not be ready when the Waves open the season tonight against Bradley. Kimble is one of the most improved players on the team after shining in the L.A. Pro Summer League.

``His confidence is really improving,'' Westphal said. ``This could be a big year for him.''

The Waves need it to be. Gonzaga has one of the top frontcourts in the country, and though Pepperdine is more athletic overall, if Kimble, McGowan and 6-9 sophomore Robert Turner don't produce inside, Gonzaga will have a clear advantage.

TEAM OUTLOOK

COACH

Paul Westphal

Last season: Took Pepperdine to the NCAA Tournament, where it lost to Wake Forest in the first round, after finishing the regular season in a first-place tie with Gonzaga for the West Coast Conference title.

What's next: With a veteran team, including last year's top five scorers, Westphal looks forward to returning to the NCAA Tournament and advancing past the opening round.

STARTERS

Boomer Brazzle, power forward

Last season: Earned All-West Coast Conference honors after averaging 11.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. Shot 47.5 percent from the field, including 35.8 percent on 3-pointers.

What's next: Can play both forward spots. Brazzle should improve again in all areas, and as a senior, he's poised to be more of a team leader.

Will Kimble, center

Last season: Was the main backup to Cedric Suitt, playing in 26 games and averaging 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds. Shot a team-best 54.8 percent from the field.

What's next: The 6-0, 230-pound junior shined at the L.A. Summer League, showing a more-polished game around the basket and avoiding fouls, which hindered him last year. Is expected to continue his improvement and help shore up the Waves' inside game.

Jimmy Miggins, small forward

Last season: Considered the heart and soul of the Waves, a fierce competitor who earned All-WCC first-team honors after averaging 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. The first player to lead the Waves in scoring and rebounding since Dana Jones in 1993-94.

What's next: After spending considerable time a year ago as an undersized power forward, Miggins will spend this year at his more natural small-forward position, where his quickness and athleticism is better suited.

Terrance Johnson, shooting guard 

Last season: Earned WCC Freshman-of-the-Year honors after averaging 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists a game. Ranked second on the team in scoring behind Miggins.

What's next: Bigger and stronger than a year ago, but he hasn't lost any of the outstanding leaping ability.

Devin Montgomery, point guard

Last season: Earned honorable mention All-WCC honors after averaging 11.7 points, 3.8 assists and 2.2 rebounds.

What's next: Now that Dan Dickau left Gonzaga, Montgomery could be the conference's best point guard. An explosive athlete who isn't afraid to take the big shots.

LOOKING FOR MINUTES

Dustin Johnson, forward

Outlook: Appeared in 12 games and scored two points, but could see time as a reserve power forward.

KEY RESERVES

Alex Acker, guard

Last season: Redshirt

What's next: Consistently one of the Waves' top players in practice a year ago, he's is expected to make an immediate impact as a backup point guard and small forward.

Robert Turner, forward

Last season: Appeared in 24 games and averaged 2.8 points and two rebounds.

What's next: One of the most skilled big men in the conference, Turner's game keeps improving. He's expected to play significant minutes in the frontcourt.

Glen McGowan, center/forward

Last season: Appeared in 17 games, primarily as a reserve forward, after spending the first part of the season on suspension. Averaged 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds.

What's next: Could end up in the starting five, but a nagging knee injury set him back during the first weeks of practice. When he's healthy, he's the Waves' best big man.

Mike Westphal, guard

Last season: The son of head coach Paul Westphal, appeared in 23 games and averaged 3.3 points while shooting 43.1 percent from the field.

What's next: A terrific long-range shooter, will be a backup to Johnson at shooting guard.

PEPPERDINE SCHEDULE

Nov. 22 at Bradley, 5 p.m.

Nov. 30 UC Irvine, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 2 at Long Beach State, 7 p.m.

Dec. 4 at Cal State Fullerton, 7 p.m.

Dec. 7 UC Santa Barbara, 6 p.m.

Dec. 14 Oregon, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 Richmond-x, 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 17 Stanford or Montana-x, 4:30 or 7 p.m.

Dec. 20 Utah, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 22 Lipscomb, 1 p.m.

Dec. 28 Ark.-Little Rock-y, 5 p.m.

Dec. 29 Portland State or New Mexico-y, 5 or 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 2 at BYU, 6 p.m.

Jan. 9 at Portland, 7 p.m.

Jan. 12 at Gonzaga, 1 p.m.

Jan. 17 Santa Clara, 7 p.m.

Jan. 18 San Diego, 6 p.m.

Jan. 25 at Loyola Marymount, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 31 at San Francisco, 7 p.m.

Feb. 1 at St. Mary's, 7 p.m.

Feb. 5 Gonzaga, 9 p.m.

Feb. 8 Portland, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 at San Diego, 7 p.m.

Feb. 16 at Santa Clara, 1 p.m.

Feb. 22 Loyola Marymount, 6 p.m.

Feb. 28 St. Mary's, 7 p.m.

Mar. 1 San Francisco, 7 p.m.

x-Stanford Invitational, Stanford, Calif.

y-Lobo Invitational, Albuquerque, N.M.

FORECAST

The Waves are deep, experienced and generally regarded as the second-best team in the WCC behind Gonzaga. But with their top five scorers returning and talented first-year swingman Alex Acker ready to emerge, a run at the conference title is within reason.

PEPPERDINE vs. BRADLEY

Tipoff: 5 p.m., Carver Arena.

TV/Radio: No TV; 830-AM.

Pepperdine update: The Waves earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament in head coach Paul Westphal's first season and return their top five scorers from a team that finished 22-9 and shared the regular-season WCC title with Gonzaga.

Bradley update: First-year head coach Jim Les, a former standout for Bradley who played nine seasons in the NBA, takes over a team that finished 9-20 a year ago.

- Vincent Bonsignore

CAPTION(S):

photo, 4 boxes

Photo:

Pepperdine forward Boomer Brazzle thinks the Waves could use last year's NCAA Tournament loss to Wake Forest to their advantage, because it showed the team it could win.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Box:

(1) TEAM OUTLOOK (see text)

(2) PEPPERDINE SCHEDULE (see text)

(3) FORECAST (see text)

(4) PEPPERDINE vs. BRADLEY (see text)