After months of waiting and wondering, the 1995-96 National Basketball Association season has begun — Fred Hoiberg and Loren Meyer included.

Hoiberg and Meyer, both former Cyclone standouts, occupied opening-night roster spots Friday. Hoiberg is with the Indiana Pacers. Meyer plays for the Dallas Mavericks.

While Meyer was all but assured a position with the Mavericks, Hoiberg fought to the last day of training camp with former Indiana guard Damon Bailey for the Pacers’ 12th and final roster slot.

From his hotel room in Indianapolis Saturday afternoon, Hoiberg expressed both relief and elation at making the squad.

“It’s a great feeling,” Hoiberg said. “It’s a great weight off my shoulders to have made the team. This last week has been very stressful for me.”

Due to the Pacers’ depth at point guard with veterans Mark Jackson, Haywood Workman and first-round draft pick Travis Best, Bailey may have been more of a victim of circumstance than of Hoiberg’s play.

Regardless, Hoiberg, a shooting guard, said his relationship with Bailey was not affected by the decision.

“I got to know him pretty well and I wish we both could have made it,” Hoiberg said. “But there just wasn’t room.”

Meyer, a center, was also delighted to finally have the season underway.

“To go through training camp and practice, it’s just a real good feeling to finally get the season going,” Meyer said over the phone from Dallas.

Schedule-makers wasted no time in initiating Meyer, as he and the Mavericks squared off against reigning league MVP David Robinson and the San Antonio Spurs Friday.

Since Dallas double-teamed Robinson most of the night, Meyer said he didn’t face the “Admiral” in much one-on-one action, but was still impressed with his skill.

“He’s a great player,” Meyer said. “He’s strong. He’s fast. He’s the total package.”

Meyer took advantage of his 8 minutes of playing time by recording his first professional basket and blocking a shot to compliment four personal fouls in the 103-97 Dallas victory.

By comparison, fellow rookie and first-round selection, Cherokee Parks, logged only 6 minutes and went 0-3 from the field. Parks, a former Duke center, also plays for Dallas.

The bulk of Meyer’s playing time is expected to come as Lorenzo Williams’ backup.

Meyer again saw 8 minutes of action in the Mavericks’ 99-84 win over Golden State Saturday night. He collected two rebounds and scored three points.

Saturday was also Hoiberg’s inaugural NBA appearance.

After sitting out the previous game against Atlanta, Hoiberg played about 1 minute of the Pacers’ 97-89 win over the expansion Toronto Raptors.

Though Hoiberg rarely left the court at ISU, he is not expected to see extensive playing time this season as a professional.

“I probably won’t play this year unless something happens,” Hoiberg said. “We do have two guys on the team who are 36, though, so a lot can happen.”

Practice for both ISU graduates has been intense.

“It was pretty hard, but once I got in the routine it got better,” Meyer said. He said watching talented players such as Jason Kidd, Jamal Mashburn and Jimmy Jackson has made his transition easier.

Hoiberg said: “This team is so experienced, so they know what it takes to win and good quality practices are a part of that.”

The two stressed the importance of tutoring from veteran teammates.

“The guys have been great,” Meyer said. “Lorenzo, Terry Davis and Popeye Jones have been there for me if I have any questions.”

Hoiberg said his fellow shooting guards have assisted him the most.

“The two guys in front of me, Reggie Miller and Ricky Pierce, have been very helpful,” he said.

Hoiberg and Meyer said subtle differences between the college and professional ranks have also taken some getting used to.

“The pro game is more up-tempo, with the 24-second shot clock, and it’s more physical,” Meyer said.

Hoiberg agreed.

“There’s so many different little rules to get used to,” he said.

And, Hoiberg said, there’s a major difference in the talent level. “Instead of one or two great players, you have to deal with five great guys every night.”