SAN DIEGO ---- Bill Grier can't wait to start distributing Dr. Naismith's basketball lessons.

Last year, the University of San Diego men's hoops coach leaned too much on Dr. Laura's expertise.

"We struggled,'' Grier said. "They didn't handle having success very well and that next year, quite honestly, they played fairly selfish.''

This year gets underway Friday night, with the Toreros entertaining the Stanford Cardinal at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

But the skinny on 2008-09 was Grier staying busy extinguishing fires instead of watching his team burn through the West Coast Conference.

Grier tried to love his players ---- that didn't work.

Grier tried tough love through numerous suspensions ---- that didn't work.

Grier tried so much, that he was one tuckered out Torero ---- a season removed from upsetting Connecticut in the NCAA tournament ---- when finally hitting the tape at 16-16.

"We went through our fair share of adversity and last year really wore me out mentally and physically,'' he said. "Just all the different things and scenarios we went through. Hopefully it makes our staff better and our team better as we go along.''

The trek was one rough patch after another, starting with star guard Brandon Johnson going out with a season-ending injury in the eighth game. Then came the discipline problems and Grier constantly having to play the heavy.

"It was beyond what coaching psychology would entail,'' Grier said. "I think you would need a PhD.

"But this group that is returning, they don't want to go through something like that again and that is something they have talked about it.''

The chatter around the WCC is USD is rebuilding. Gone is all-time leading scorer Gyno Pomare (El Camino High), Rob Jones and Trumaine Johnson. That's among the reasons USD is picked for sixth in the eight-team conference via the coach's poll.

Grier is hopeful the learning curve for his impressive freshmen class isn't steep.

"You have to compete on every play at this level,'' Grier said. "They all have possessions where they just play their tails off then revert back to how they played in high school, which was great in high school but doesn't survive at this level.''

Grier likes his youth but is banking on those longer in the tooth.

Johnson was granted a medical redshirt last year, although he's at about 80 percent in coming back from Achilles' tendon and ankle injuries.

De'Jon Jackson, the last-second shot-maker who shocked No. 15 UConn back in the glory days, returns alongside Johnson.

The Toreros hope to dust off their perimeter game, something that shined during their stunning run two years ago.

"Definitely that is the strength of the team,'' Grier said, noting that guard Matt Dorr, who led the team in minutes last year, is a factor.

Down in the paint, though, is where the Toreros need to peel off some magic.

Roberto Mafra is battling plantar fasciitis and his status remains clouded.

Rafael Crescencio, another post player, transferred from a community college in Yuma, Ariz., but his knees are revolting.

"Our forest seems to have shrunk with the 6-10 and 6-9 guys out of there,'' Grier said.

But that opens doors for freshmen Chris Manresa (6-8) and Ken Rancifer (6-5). Plus returnees Clinton Houston and Chris Lewis are in the down-low mix.

Other freshmen backcourt players to monitor are Patrick McCollum, Jordan Mackie and the speedy Cameron Miles, although Miles could redshirt.

"As a coach you are concerned about inexperience when they are young,'' Grier said. "But this group of freshmen has been a breath of fresh air for this team ---- their energy, their enthusiasm, their passion for the game and just the cohesiveness of the group. And, I think it has rubbed off on the older guys.''

The drawback last year was the players, despite winning at Oregon and Mississippi State, rubbed each other ---- and Grier ---- the wrong way.

USD looks to get it right after an offseason in which big schools didn't knock on Grier's door.

"It's funny how you win in the tournament and you are the hottest thing,'' said Grier, who had the likes of Oregon State kicking his tires. "Then you have a year like last year and no one knows your name.''

The name taking that Oregon State job was Craig Robinson, who has friends in high places.

"He can roll into a home visit and say his brother-in-law is the president,'' Grier said. "I roll in and say my brother-in-law works at a bank.''

Here's hoping a challenging last year pays dividends for Grier this season.