A year ago, little was known of what was to be expected from two 6-foot-8-inch transfers.After a season that saw them combine for 22 points, nearly 12 rebounds and close to four blocks a contest, head coach Neil Dougherty cannot help getting excited when talking about what junior Kevin Langford and senior Alvardo Parker could do this season.

Langford, who sat out the 2005-2006 season after transferring from California, led the team in scoring his first year with more than 13 points a game. He would raise his game during conference play with four games of 21 points or more – not including the 23-point performance in the team’s last game of the season, a 77-64 loss to BYU in the quarterfinals of Mountain West Conference tournament.

Dougherty said Langford has added on more strength in the offseason – a sign that could potentially lead to a big year for the Fort Worth native.

“He’s so much stronger and much more assertive and is seeing things so much easier,” Dougherty said. “He’s preparing himself for a great year. I think he can be really fun to watch.”

With the increased role in the team’s plans, Langford said he understands what he needs to do in order to take the Horned Frogs to the next level. From running more or adding on extra muscle to being more vocal in team drills and being there every morning for team workouts, Langford said, he wants to set a good example for his teammates.

“No one’s spot is secure,” Langford said. “Whoever puts heart into it will be on the court.”

Langford is not the only one whose role is expected to increase this season, as Parker has come a long way since transferring from Frank Phillips Junior College in Boeger, Dougherty said.

“What a difference a year makes,” Dougherty said. “His understanding of what we’re asking him to do is much better.”

Parker, who averaged three blocks a game last season, said this season’s team has the potential to do special things this year if they continue to do what they have been doing in the offseason thus far.

“We’ve just got to go out and prove it,” Parker said.

Langford and Parker will be joined down low by redshirt freshman Luke Tauscher and junior transfer John Ortiz.

Tauscher, a highly-touted, 6-foot-11-inch center coming out of Southwest High School in Fort Worth, had his first year wiped out thanks to a lower back injury that required surgery.

Dougherty said though Tauscher has yet to play a minute of college basketball, he expects him to be a big part of the team’s plans.

“I look for him to play a great deal more than what I was thinking let’s say a month or two ago,” Dougherty said. “He’s proven that.”

Ortiz, a transfer from Colby Community College in Colby, Kan., led his team in blocks and steals last season and is expected to be in this season’s big-man rotation.

Parker said Ortiz’s familiarity with the system has increased since coming into the fold.

“With John (Ortiz), once he’s gone through (the plays) a couple times, he really picks it up,” Parker said.