THE GOOD NEWS
The Eagles return several critical performers from this past season with none being more critical than PG Carlos Medlock, who played some of the best basketball of his collegiate career down the stretch for the Eagles and will be an All-MAC candidate heading into his senior season. EMU is also anxiously awaiting the return of F Brandon Bowdry, a medical redshirt this season while recovering from an offseason ankle injury. Bunkley was a MAC All-Freshman performer two seasons ago and should give the Eagles a dangerous inside-outside performer in the front court and provide support for Justin Dobbins.

THE BAD NEWS
One of the unsung performers in the MAC this past season was G/F Travis Lewis, who was a two-sport star for the Eagles as a standout wide receiver and a take-no-prisoners hardwood performer. Lewis, the team's top rebounder, often drew the toughest defensive assignments but added a nice shooting touch to his arsenal this season, finishing third in the MAC 3-point shooting. His toughness will be missed, as will the 3-point shooting of G Jared Axon. The Eagles also lose starting wing Jesse Bunkley, who averaged 9.6 points per game. The sad ending to the troubled career of 6-8 F James Matthews, who was dismissed from the team due to repeated violation of team rules, was an unfortunate distraction and delivered a real hit to the team's depth at forward.

KEY RETURNEES
G Carlos Medlock was the Eagles' most consistent performer this past season. Medlock hit double figures in scoring in 18 straight games to end the season and was the only player in the MAC to show up in the top ten in five different individual statistical categories. If the Eagles are to ascend the MAC standings, it will be with Medlock leading the charge.

F Wendale Farrow has size and versatility to be a factor in the MAC. At 6-7, Farrow could become part of the equation to the Eagles' frontcourt woes this past season but will need to develop an ability to score with his back to the hoop and probably add a few pounds to his frame if he is to hang with some of the MAC's bigger frontcourt players or develop into a solid performer at the three spot.

F Justin Dobbins seemed to gain strength as the season progressed and turned in his best performances down the stretch. He will be counted on along with redshirt sophomore Brandon Bowdry to give the Eagles a frontcourt presence as a junior in 2008-2009.

ROSTER REPORT

--G Carlos Medlock led the Eagles this past season in both scoring and assists and became only the 26th player in EMU history to top 1,000 points in his career. Medlock has recorded 58 double-digit scoring outings in his career and figures to move further up the record books in several categories as he enters his senior season in 2008-2009.

--F Brandon Bowdry's return is anxiously anticipated on a team lacking frontcourt depth. Bowdry will be a redshirt sophomore after sitting out the past season with an injury. As a freshman, Bowdry started in 28 of 32 games and averaged 8.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in being named to the MAC All-Freshman squad in 2006-2007. The Eagles could have desperately used those numbers this year.

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