Louisiana Tech men's celebrated the 2003-04 season and looked to a bright future Monday as the men's basketball squad held its Bulldog Banquet at Squire Creek Country Club.

The Bulldogs went 15-15 in a campaign in which Tech returned no impact players from the previous season and played with five new starters.

"I'm very proud of the way this team kept fighting throughout the whole season as they grew up on the court," Tech coach Keith Richard said. "There was a point where things could have gone south for us because of our inexperience, but this team refused to back down and kept fighting until the end."

Graduating senior Brian Martin earned the team's Tommy Joe Eagles Memorial Award, named for the late Louisiana Tech player and coach and presented to the player who shows the best all-around combination of work ethic, academic ability, character and attitude.

Tech's other graduating Joe Sykes, picked up the Tech Coaches' Appreciation Award.

"Both of those guys were seniors and they were the two of the hardest workers we had even though they really didn't play all that much," Richard said. "But they never let that get them down and came ready to practice hard every time we hit the court. You just can't say enough about what both meant to this team."

Freshman forward Paul Millsap was honored as the team leader in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots after picking up Western Athletic Conference and Louisiana Sports Writers Association Freshman of the Year honors.

Millsap was the NCAA's top rebounder with 12.5 boards per contest, making him only the second freshman to secure the title since the NCAA began keeping track in 1951. Kenny Miller of Loyola (Ill.) is the only other freshman so far to take a season NCAA rebounding title after doing so during the 1987-88 season. Millsap's rebounding title also marked the first time a WAC Player has won the NCAA rebounding title

Junior guard Corey Dean was honored as the team's Defensive Player of the Year while junior guard Donell Allick picked up honors as the Bulldogs' leader in assists and steals.

"We knew we didn't have much experience returning, which is why we're so proud of the way this team performed this season," Richard said. "But inexperience won't be an excuse next season. We have a great foundation and there is a bright future ahead for this team as long as we keep working hard."