To understand the mechanics of Saint Louis basketball, break out that dusty old footage from 1979.

Though coach Delbert Tengan stepped down, new coach Dwight Moniz assures all that Crusader basketball will continue to emphasize hard-nosed defensive pressure.

Moniz, a 1979 graduate of Saint Louis, has a hoops philosophy that goes back in time, which is part of the reason why coaches and media voted Saint Louis to a No. 10 ranking in the Star-Bulletin Boys Basketball Preseason Top 10.

“;To even be considered ranked is humbling, but I don't even look at that,”; Moniz said. “;I know our fans like to look at it.”;

On paper: At No. 10, the Crusaders are precisely where they finished in last season's final Top 10. Saint Louis was 11-10 last year, including 7-7 in ILH play.

Several players in last year's rotation are back: guard Lucas Gonsalves and Marcus Umu, forwards Dean Viena, Micah McClinton and Mike Tuiloma, and center Moses Samia. McClinton, at 6-foot-3, is the tallest Crusader and one of their best perimeter shooters.

The Crusaders started last year with a two-point loss to Maryknoll and a three-point defeat against eventual state champion Punahou. They reeled off three wins in a row before losing to Punahou by six.

Despite close losses to Kamehameha and 'Iolani, Saint Louis still had a shot at a state-tournament berth. A 41-29 loss to Kamehameha in the third-place game ended the season.

This season is off to a good start. The Crusaders defeated Kalaheo on Thursday in the first round of the Punahou Invitational.

The skinny: ”;The rule of this team is defense. We've got a bunch of kids capable of putting pressure on other teams,”; Moniz said.

Moniz likes pressure defense so much because he soaked in all the knowledge he could from the coaches he played for: Walter Wong, Malcolm Love and Kaipo Spencer. Wong's pressure defense and motion offense are the foundation.

“;I fine-tuned those learning from Kaipo and (former assistant coach) Rodney Veary,”; Moniz added.

At least 10 Crusaders will rotate in and out in this up-tempo pace.

X factor: One freshman (Acen Cabral) and two sophomores (Quinn Arakawa and Starr Sua-Passi) are on the roster.

“;I don't put freshmen and sophomores on the team to sit on the bench,”; Moniz said.