Mark Few usually isn’t this upbeat going into a season.

But it’s hard for the Gonzaga head man to contain his emotions when he looks down the ‘Zags roster this year.

The main characters include one of the nation’s most underrated point guards in Jeremy Pargo. He’ll have one of the best frontline players on the west coast, Josh Heytvelt, back from a late-season suspension a year ago.

The supporting cast is lengthy.

Pargo will get help in the backcourt from sophomore Matt Bouldin, long wing Micah Downs and freshman shooter Steven Gray.

Up front Few will have no shortage of options.

Heytvelt will be a fixture, but Gonzaga returns David Pendergraft and Abdullahi Kuso – both who were solid role players a year ago. Larry Gurganious is back from an injury and will see time at small forward – as will former minor league pitcher Ira Brown, who spent last season at Phoenix College in the junior college ranks and has a Herchel Walker-esque body.

Add in talented and skilled forward Austin Daye (the son of former NBA player Darren Daye) and fellow frosh Robert Sacre, a big, strong 7-footer from north of the border, and you’ve got a team that could legitimately go 12 deep (if you include Theo Davis and maybe 7-foot-4 sophomore Will Foster).

The ‘Zags lost Derek Raivio, but Gray might be able to step right in and provide the perimeter offense. Few said Gray has a “mature game and should help immediately.” Downs can also shoot the ball from long-range, so that shouldn’t be an issue.

As we said, Pargo is a big-time player who was extremely impressive going up against other top college guys at the LeBron James Camp in July.

``He’s obviously the guy for us. He was our MVP last year and if something would have happened to him, we were done,” Few said. “But we’ve usually got a more high-profile guy like (Adam) Morrison, Blake Steppe or Dan Dickau. I’m not saying Jeremy won’t turn into that. He’s certainly capable.”

Few said the biggest difference between this year’s squad and some of the past that have rolled through Spokane is that now he can motivate his top players because he has other options. For instance, it was difficult for him to get Morrison to defend because there wasn’t a viable alternative.

``There’s more depth, so there will be more accountability,” Few said. “It’s a good source of motivation.”

The ‘Zags should be back in the Top 25 this year and could have a chance to make a legitimate Final Four run next season since they will add a couple of talented players in versatile and extremely underrated 6-foot-5 wing Grant Gibbs and 7-foot Oregon native Andy Poling – and the only guy that will be gone is Pendergraft.

BILLY D. FILLS OUT CLASS

The two-time defending national champion Florida Gators filled out their recruiting class with the commitment of skilled power forward Eloy Vargas of America Heritage High (Fla.).

``He’s a skilled four-man that can handle it like a guard, but has post moves like an elite big man,” American Heritage coach Danny Herz told FOXSports.com. “Eloy believes that Florida was the best place for him to continue to develop as well as play good minutes early on in his career.”

Vargas joins a class that includes guards Ray Shipman and Erving Walker as well as forward Allan Chaney and center Kenneth Kadji.

It may not have the McDonald’s All-Americans, but then again, Corey Brewer was the lone McDonald’s guy in a class that produced a trio of lottery picks and a pair of national titles.

NO CAVALIER ATTITUDE

Despite the loss of assistant coach and renowned recruiter Rob Lanier, Dave Leitao and the Virginia Cavaliers are getting things done on the recruiting trail.

The Cavs are smiling after the pledge of Sylvan Landesberg, who chose UVA over Georgia Tech and St. John’s. Leitao is also on the verge of landing one of the best developing big men in the senior class, 7-footer Assane Sene – who is a senior at South Kent (Conn.) and will take a visit to Charlottesville this weekend.