THE GOOD NEWS
Freshman guards Josh Chavis and Rashawn Brailsford, freshman swingman Mezie Uzochukwu and 7-2 sophomore center Nick Schneiders all averaged at least 18 minutes per game in 2007-08 and form a strong nucleus to guide the Spartans through the lengthy Division I transition process.

THE BAD NEWS
The Spartans' deficiencies on the boards and at the free-throw line proved costly in close contests, as they were 3-10 in games decided by 10 or fewer points and 0-2 in overtime. Their returning players shot a combined 58.0 percent (231-of-398) at the charity stripe this season.

KEY RETURNEES
Junior forward Bobby Davis had four double-doubles and finished fifth in the league in rebounding at 7.5 per game. During conference play, Uzochukwu averaged 7.6 points and 5.2 rebounds and Brailsford averaged 6.9 points and 3.8 boards. Recruit Lucas Reiff, a 6-3 shooting guard averaged 19.1 points as a junior at Zionsville (Ind.) High and spent last season in prep school at Maine Central Institute.

ROSTER REPORT

--Senior guard Luke Payne finished his career as the school's ninth-leading scorer with 1,381 points. He led the Spartans with 14.9 points per game this season, including 15.1 in conference play. He scored in double figures in 25 of 30 games and eclipsed the 20-point mark six times.

--Senior guard Jeremy Byrd closed his career as the Spartans' all-time steals leader with 350 thefts. He is the only player in the history of the program with more than 900 points, 250 rebounds, 400 assists and 275 steals. He led the Peach Belt in steals for three straight seasons and led the Atlantic Sun in 2007-08.

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