CEDAR CITY - Even if it doesn't work out, even if the appeal is turned down and it's for just one year, Roger Reid knows having Geoff Payne will be worth it.

The new Southern Utah men's basketball coach has that much confidence in Payne's skills.

"With a player of his caliber, I would do that every year," Reid said of Payne, who earned NJCAA All-America honors at Snow College last season. "There's no question about it. Yeah, I'd definitely do that."

He's probably not alone.

Payne, a former Utah 5A state most valuable player at Alta High School, made a living of burning Scenic West Athletic Conference defenses last year.

In his sophomore year playing for Reid's Badgers, Payne led the team to a 23-8 record by scoring 21.7 points and grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game.

"Geoff is really skilled around the basket," said SUU senior Tate Sorensen, one of two remaining post players from last year's team. "He's really polished and able to work with his teammates a lot to get them open. But he also knows the time to shoot, pass and he knows the right moves."

But even if he thrills Thunderbird fans by duplicating his Snow numbers, it may only be for one year.

Payne enrolled at the University of Utah right out of high school, redshirting during Rick Majerus' final year as coach of the Utes.

But he said he sat out an additional season before transferring to Snow, which could cost him a year of eligibility if the NCAA turns down his appeal.

But both Reid and Payne are optimistic that he will get two years in a T-Bird uniform.

"We think it's reasonable why he should get another year," Reid said.

He certainly will be a major part of SUU's plans this season.

"It's worked out for the best," Payne said. "I'm in a good situation here, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I just want to be around good people. I know (Reid's staff) is going to put together good teams and contend for championships."

Even with a wealth of players that can start at the power forward position, Reid is sure that Payne's best spot will be there despite a listed weight of only 195 pounds.

Neither Payne, nor his coach, is nervous about the size difference between power forwards at the junior college and NCAA Division I levels - far from it.

"He's very deceptive," Reid said. "He's wiry strong and very uncanny about where the gaps and holes are."

Payne is best around the basket, but he is also capable of stepping out and hitting a mid-range jumpshot. He hit more than 66 percent of his shots at Snow last year.

But beyond that, Reid said Payne is a "heady, smart player" who is good at reading opposing defenses.

"He has great moves around the basket, left hand, right hand and he's like a snake that can slither through," Reid said.

Payne will also have plenty of help at power forward. Sorensen, who likely will also play at center, had a strong start last season interrupted by a nagging back injury.

But Reid said those issues are in the past and Sorensen has not expressed any problems with his back.

Orlando Griego, SUU's other returning post player, is not known for his athleticism but is a great communicator with a strong work ethic, a good outside jump shot and a penchant for drawing offensive fouls.

"We've got a lot of guys who are willing to work hard," Sorensen said. "We're not super big, but we've got a lot of guys who like to do things right."

The only player on the team who stands taller than 6-foot-7 is John Clifford, a 6-10 center who is another Snow College transfer. He and Sorensen are expected to get most of the minutes at center.

"We're working together," Payne said. "It doesn't seem like there's too much contention. É To everyone pulling for the same goal has made us a better team."

The T-Birds will play an exhibition game on Oct. 31 against NCAA Division II Mesa State at 7 p.m. at the Centrum Arena.