THE GOOD NEWS
It's an old saying among coaches that the best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores, so Roberts has to be happy that his eight freshmen will have an additional year of being in the program and working in the weight room under their belts in time for the 2008-09 season. If he's healthy, Anthony Mason Jr. is an all-Big East-caliber player, and will be motivated heading into his senior season. The team also has a trip planned to Cancun in August for some increased competition, which will help get everyone closer together before the season begins.

THE BAD NEWS
The fact that everyone besides Eugene Lawrence is back won't mean much if nobody figures out how to score. The Red Storm offense was more like a drizzle on most nights, and will need to be revamped in the offseason. Even if Norm Roberts gets a contract extension in the offseason, as expected, he'll still be under a cloud in 2008-09 because another bad season will probably mean the end of his tenure at the school.

KEY RETURNEES
Anthony Mason Jr. will be counted on to have a monster senior season. The biggest expectations for the returning sophomores probably center around Malik Boothe and Rob Thomas. Boothe will get the first crack at taking over the point from departing senior Eugene Lawrence, while Thomas could take time in the frontcourt if he's finally healthy and recovered from his knee surgery.

ROSTER REPORT

--Forward Anthony Mason Jr. was hindered early in the season with an injured ankle, and his overall numbers for the 2007-08 campaign weren't what he'd hoped for when it began. But the junior was much better in Big East play, averaging more than 15 points per league game.

--Forward Rob Thomas spent the season working his way back from knee surgery. If he's completely healthy in 2008-09, he could have a larger role in the frontcourt.

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