Should the UC Davis men's coach call it a success? Or was it a major disappointment?

A day after the Aggies dropped a heartbreaking 73-68 decision to Seattle Pacific in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II West Regionals, the rookie coach had mixed emotions about the season.

"We accomplished a lot," Fogel said Saturday morning. "But for me personally, the season will always have a stain on it."

The Aggies blew a 21-point halftime lead, leaving an ugly blotch on their ledger.

It was the biggest Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde act in UC Davis' basketball history, a disappointment Fogel will feel in the pit of his stomach for a long time.

"It's just hard to swallow," he said. "I tossed and turned the whole night in bed. I tell you, it was absolutely hard to take."

Despite Friday's second-half breakdown, Fogel found some bright spots in the season, his first as coach, as he led the Aggies to a 22-6 record and the California Collegiate Athletic Association championship.

Seniors Dante Ross, J.C. Timmons and Keith Jackson had superb seasons, and junior forward Jason Cox demonstrated he will be one to watch next year.

The season also marked the emergence of role players Scott Darmstadt (wing) and freshmen Keith Johnson (center) and Tyler Boyd (point guard).

The Aggies had one of the top defenses in the nation and used it to secure their fifth 20-win season. Tight man-to-man pressure helped the Aggies beat teams in transition and covered up the team's inability to shoot well from outside.

The scheme worked the majority of the season as the Aggies won arguably the nation's top conference and earned a fourth consecutive trip to the Division II West Regionals.

The 1999-2000 season could be a success if Ross has another year of eligibility.

Ross, a lock to make a few postseason honor teams, redshirted the 1994-95 season and didn't play in the 1995-96 season because his mother had an illness. He played the last three years.

UC Davis will petition the NCAA for the extra season; even if approved, though, it's not certain Ross will return.

"It's a good chance I'm not coming back," he said. "But anything is possible. A defeat like that makes you not want to come back because you don't want to experience the pain again."

Ross said he will sit down with Fogel in a few weeks and make a decision. Jackson said Ross is finished.

"He's not coming back," Jackson said. "He told me he wasn't."

Even if Ross returns, the Aggies must improve on their perimeter shooting. Although the Aggies shot 45 percent from the field, second-best in the CCAA, most of the scoring was done in the key.

"We need some shooters," Fogel said. "We need some guys who can shoot the ball from the outside. That's a must if we expect to go further next season."

Fogel also hopes to recruit an athletic player who can create in the open floor and dominate in the halfcourt game.

The Aggies were a small team, with Cox was the tallest player at 6-foot-7. Fogel would like to add a big man to the roster, but it's not a necessity.