THE GOOD NEWS
All five starters are back for the Friars, as is everyone in the rotation except graduating senior Charles Burch. With both Sharaud Curry and Dwain Williams back and healthy next season, it should be a much smoother offense. Jeff Xavier proved to be a defensive force and finished second in the Big East in steals.

THE BAD NEWS
Keno Davis might be the right choice, but the perception is that it's hard to win at Providence, which is a defeatist mindset the new regime can't afford to let affect the team. The Friars have a core group of veterans returning, but it's also a group that underachieved in 2007-08 and needs to develop some consistency. Providence showed itself to be capable of beating anyone and losing to anyone in the league, but constantly had trouble with quick backcourts or when the outside shots didn't fall, and made itself a one-dimensional team at times with an over-reliance on the 3-point shot.

KEY RETURNEES
Though the Friars have a ton of returnees, the two who are most key to the team's 2008-09 success are Sharaud Curry and Weyinmi Efejuku. Curry will be a huge addition after being lost for 2007-08 with his injury, but will also need to re-integrate himself to a squad that adjusted to his absence. Efejuku was a frustrating player to watch as he mixed dominant performances with disappearing acts. If he can harness his talents, he could be one of the best players in the Big East, but right now he's too unreliable to count on.

ROSTER REPORT

--Guard Sharaud Curry suffered a stress fracture in his foot in October, and tried to rest the injury instead of undergoing surgery. However, he broke his foot again while rehabbing the injury, and had to have surgery in the offseason.

--Guard Dwain Williams missed 10 games with injuries, including the last six games of the season. The rising junior averaged 11 points a game and ran a solid point, and will be looked up to play alongside Curry in 2008-09 as a backcourt with multiple ballhandlers. He'll have to compete for time, however, with a group of veterans who each had their moments of potential in 2007-08.

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