ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Now that J.R. Giddens has taken his high-flying act to the NBA's Boston Celtics, who will step up for New Mexico?

As coach Steve Alford begins his second season leading the Lobos, he's got three solid leaders in swingman Tony Danridge, center Daniel Faris and deadeye shooter Chad Toppert.

When the Lobos open Friday night against Southeast Missouri State, those seniors will be asked to guide six freshman, a highly regarded recruiting class that shows Alford is making his mark on the program.

"I know if I tell Top and Tony and Daniel, 'This is what I expect,' I'm pretty confident those three are going to do that," Alford said. "And that's part of leadership. They are rock solid."

The jewel of New Mexico's recruiting class is shooting guard Phillip McDonald, a Houston-area standout who was rated one of the top five high school players coming out of Texas last season.

There's also point guard Nate Garth, shooting guards Curtis Dennis and Chris Johansen and forwards Will Brown and A.J. Hardeman.

"They're young, they're very talented and there's just a lot of them," Alford said. "We have to keep our eye on combinations and just who is on the floor at the right time. That's going to take us, as coaches, a little bit of time to figure out."

Danridge, Faris and Toppert are on pace to graduate by May. Unlike so many Lobos from past eras, none has caused the school any public embarrassment and all have a tremendous work ethic.

Danridge was named third-team all-Mountain West Conference two years ago but sat out last season with a broken leg.

"I just want to win. That's the only thing," Danridge said. "I don't have individual goals, just team goals. But sitting out a year makes me extra hungry."

Toppert averaged 10.3 points a game and ranked second nationally in 3-point shooting last season, making 48 percent. Faris has become one of the league's top post players and averaged 9.2 points and 4.5 rebounds a game last year.

It began to dawn on Faris this fall that he's facing his final college season.

"It's kind of hard to swallow, to really take in and realize it," he said. "I probably won't be able to sit back and reflect on everything until I'm done with it. But I'm loving the ride. I'm so glad to be a part of this university and this team."

McDonald, meanwhile, is a 6-foot-5 shooter who is primarily billed as a scorer but rebounds like an upperclassman. He had eight boards during an exhibition win over Western New Mexico last week.

"I take pride in my rebounding," McDonald said. "I've worked pretty hard in the offseason to improve."

Also returning for the Lobos are junior Roman Martinez, a forward who collected eight rebounds in the exhibition win, and two sophomores, guards Dairese Gary and Jonathan Wills.

As for the defensive side, Giddens stifled opposing scorers last season. Alford said he's hoping Danridge can assume the role that Giddens filled but also mentioned Martinez and Wills.

"That's a concern, having that D-stopper out there that has a lot of experience," Alford said.

• Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com.