Although the numbers might not back her up, FIU junior point guard Michelle Gonzalez will tell you that last season -- her first in Division I basketball -- was tough.

Gonzalez, who transferred from Cisco (Texas) Junior College last season, was expected to back up then-senior point guard Iva Ciglar.

Gonzalez figured one season behind an experienced point guard would help her to take the starting point guard reins this season when Ciglar would have graduated.

However, Ciglar left FIU one year early to go back home and play in Croatia and Gonzalez was forced to lead the Golden Panthers.

``It was difficult in that I really didn't know any of my teammates before I started playing with them,'' Gonzalez said of last season. ``The speed of the game was different. We had a pretty difficult schedule last season. You really can't compare any other level of college basketball to Division I basketball.''

Despite the advanced level of play, Gonzalez was still FIU's second leading scorer (9.3 points per game) and led the team in assists and steals.

The Golden Panthers struggled to a 6-24 record last season, but Gonzalez believes the rough patches from a year ago will make FIU better when it opens the season at North Carolina State on Friday.

``I feel I have a lot more confidence after my experience last season,'' Gonzalez said. ``I feel I'm better prepared to help lead the team this year. I feel we're going to be playing a lot faster this year.''

Gonzalez's teammates are seeing the difference.

``Michelle is much more comfortable,'' said Monika Bosilj, FIU's leading scorer (14.4) last season. ``She knows her players more than she did last year. She is not scared to pass the ball. She already knows what you are going to do.''

Bosilj, a senior, is 61 points shy of 1,000 career points and 33 three-pointers from the school record in that category.

Gonzalez's familiarity with the Golden Panthers should help the program improve.

With five new players on the team and the return to health of some key starters, the Golden Panthers have a brighter outlook.

``We have a lot of talent out there,'' said coach Cindy Russo, who enters her 31st season at FIU. ``We have shooters. We have post players and we have a lot of athleticism.''

Power forward Marquita Adley, who was limited last season in 20 games because of a leg injury, is healthy. Sharp shooting guard Fanni Hutlassa (knee) is back after playing just seven games last season. The further development of 6-2 forward Elisa Carey and 6-4 center Maja Krajacic also should help.

And Russo is eagerly awaiting the debut of Rakia Rodgers, a Colonial Athletic League All-Rookie guard from Hofstra, who transferred last season and is eligible to play her first game for FIU on Dec. 14 at Denver.

``When Raika Rodgers comes on it is going to be a huge difference in this team,'' Russo said. ``She is an element of her own. She is good.

``She will make a huge difference in our team.''

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