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GREENSBORO -- The year before Bryan Galuski took over as Greensboro College men's basketball coach, the Pride went 10-15. Two years later, Greensboro went 20-7 and tied for the USA South regular-season title. This season, the Pride has its sights set on the conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament.

"We've established a winning-type mentality and tradition over the past two years," Galuski said. "Now doing better than 20 wins is our challenge. Getting there is difficult, but it's easier than staying at the 20-win level."

Galuski hopes an experienced backcourt led by seniors Adam Nicholson and Bruce Zamuel can keep the Pride among the conference's elite teams.

Nicholson was first-team All-USA South last season, when he averaged 16.4 points per game. Galuski will need even more from Nicholson this season because the team had to replace Lynn Bright (17.4 points, 7.7 rebounds), the USA South player of the year.

Through four games, Nicholson is averaging 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

"Adam's grown, not just as a basketball player but as a person, since he's been here and has elevated his game," Galuski said. "I've looked for him to be more of a leader this year than last year, and he's accepted that role very well.

"He'll be one of the better guards in the league, if not the best guard in the league, if he has the year he's capable of having."

Nicholson is ready for the role his coach envisions for him.

"I'll be a leader offensively, defensively and vocally," Nicholson said, "and lead by example."

Nicholson filled that role to some extent last season, taking fellow junior college transfer Zamuel under his wing and offering basketball advice to the Suriname native.

"I was surprised last year when we played," Zamuel said of his relationship with Nicholson. "We were roommates, and we talked about the game and what we can do to improve.

"We gave each other feedback, and that was a good thing. There's good chemistry between me and Adam."

Zamuel is a coach's dream. He took responsibility for the Pride's slow start in the season-opening Old Westbury tournament, in which Greensboro went 0-2.

"Bruce is just a solid, solid player," Galuski said. "He can give you points or defense or rebounding. He's really grown into a mature basketball player."

Greensboro will play its home opener tonight when it faces Guilford at Hanes Gym.

The Pride (2-2) still needs to develop a consistent post game to complement Nicholson and Zamuel, but it has no shortage of options. Six players 6-feet-5 or taller are new to the roster.

"The kids that we have are very athletic, and they have things that we can't teach," Galuski said, "especially since that two of them are 6-8."

Galuski was referring to Jason Sharpe and Guy Mavoungou, who along with Zamuel give an international flavor to the team. Sharpe is from the West Indies, by way of Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy. Mavoungou and 6-5 Theo Tamini are from Africa.

Zamuel likes having other foreign-born teammates.

"On the court it's the same; everybody gets treated the same," Zamuel said. "Demands are the same. It's not a privilege that you're from somewhere else. It's a privilege to do the job and be part of this team. Off the court it's fun because you have someone almost in the same position as you. We come together off the court and have our own group."

It will be up to Galuski to bring the team together to duplicate its success last season. Fellow USA South coaches believe in Galuski and his players. They picked Greensboro to finish second in the league.

"Expectations are going to be set by us," Galuski said. "Our goal is to challenge every year to win the league. Whether or not we can do that, that's our goal.

"You go in every year to try to win. If not, why are you playing?"