America East Conference report

SportsLine.com report
April 15, 2000

In the paint

Hawks coach Paul Brazeau resigned after the team's season-ending loss to Maine in the conference quarterfinals. Overall, Hartford was hoping for more this season then its 10-19 final record, which included just six conference victories and a seventh-place finish.

Now it will be up to former Cincinnati and DePaul assistant Larry Harrison to turn things around.

Glance at 2000-2001

The Hawks should be among the most improved teams in the conference, with all but two players returning and several exciting young freshman from this year's team taking on a larger role, including forward Pierre Johnson who made the conference's All-Rookie team.

The coach

Known as a fine recruiter, Harrison will have to reaffirm his reputation at a school that isn't exactly DePaul or Cincinnati. It will be his first time leading a program.

Here's a look at the eight-year run by Brazeau, who placed the team in the top half of the conference six of his eight seasons, including 1996-97, when the Hawks won a school-record 17 games. In all, he finished with the third-most wins in school history (100), though his 123 losses place him second in that category. The former Boston College and Ohio State assistant placed Hartford third three times, its highest finish during his tenure.

Who'll be back

Almost everyone, including the aforementioned Johnson, senior-to-be Rob Sawicki, who should captain next season's squad along with second leading scorer Keyon Smith, a 6-foot-3 guard. Freshman forward Josh Odugbela also showed signs late of being one of the team's best scorers next winter.

Who's gone