"On the first day of training camp, the sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds and eventually lost the fight. But optimism was still beaming on every spectator's face. The few raindrops that fell dur ing the first practice were shining in the light like jewels.

So began a season in search of at least a division crown.

Coach Romeo Crennel said he is always the same guy. Neither success nor failure changes him. He has been here since 2005, with no playoffs. But 10 victories, as were compiled last season, is usually enough to play in January. That season got him a two-year contract extension through 2011.

"We will embrace the expectations," he said. "It beats the alternative."

This season, the object isn't to create a winning culture.

It is to get to the big stage in the new year. It is a huge change from his first year. "In 2005, we were just trying to see what we had. We didn't have a lot," Crennel said. "