College basketball questions and answers

Please put down your No. 2 pencil.

Study time is over.

You’ve had seven months to study recruiting classes, schedules and schemes.

If there’s one lesson that can be learned from last year’s college basketball season, it’s this: Don’t give up.

Most Georgia fans were already looking ahead to next season when a tornado struck the Georgia Dome, interrupting the SEC men’s basketball tournament and forcing it to move to nearby Georgia Tech. And then an even bigger surprise: Georgia, which was seemingly ready to let go of coach Dennis Felton after a disastrous four-win conference season, won four games in four days to take the tournament title and advance to the NCAAs for the first time in six years.

Georgia Tech’s fans had an up-and-down ride, as well: from losing the season opener to UNC-Greensboro to coming oh-so-close to beating eventual national champion Kansas to blowing a chance to make the NCAA tournament by losing seven of their last 11 conference games.

But it’s a new season, with new hopes.

Fans will learn a lot about their teams in the eight weeks between the beginning of the season and the start of conference play. Here’s what to expect:

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?

Georgia: Considering the Bulldogs are coming off an SEC Tournament championship, there’s not as much buzz as one might expect. Georgia reports season ticket sales to be about the same as last season, when they were at an all-time high under Felton. But as usually is the case at Georgia, there happens to be a little preoccupation with football at this point. Meanwhile, 6-foot-9 freshman forward Howard “Trey” Thompkins of Lithonia should give the Dogs something to be excited about.

Georgia Tech: Nine scholarship players remain after D’Andre Bell was lost for the season because of a spinal condition. ACC media picked the Jackets to finish eighth. For the first time in four years, Tech season tickets were not sold out by early November. But the highly skilled core — Moe Miller, Gani Lawal, Zachery Peacock, Iman Shumpert — matches up well with most ACC teams. If Alade Aminu can finally put it together and Lance Storrs can become a solid contributor, the Jackets will surprise.

Ga. State: How about a brand-new team? Six transfers are eligible, giving the Panthers a complete remake. GSU is 13-41 in its first three years of membership in the Colonial Athletic Conference. A winning record in year four is a legitimate goal.

Kennesaw State: The good news: The Owls are in their final year of transition to Division I. The bad news: The roster is decimated. Not only did the two top scorers graduate, but four players, including two part-time starters, transferred.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT FROM LAST SEASON?

Georgia: Mainly, no Sundiata Gaines. The Bulldogs will miss David Bliss, too, a locker room leader who shared team captain duties with Gaines. But Gaines’ void will be felt much more on the court. Offense, defense, rebounding, scoring— you name it, he probably led the stats in it. The Dogs brought in their best recruiting class under Felton — led by power forward Thompkins — to help the cause.

Georgia Tech: The Jackets lost their top two scorers (Anthony Morrow, Jeremis Smith) and leading rebounder (Smith). Rebounding is the bigger concern — even with Smith, Tech finished 11th in the ACC in rebounding margin. Bassirou Dieng, a 6-9 transfer, will help because “he’s a monster going to the glass,” according to Peacock. Freshman combo guard Shumpert is generating a lot of buzz: Tech expected a very good player but thinks it got a great one. Shumpert made the ACC preseason all-rookie team.

Ga. State: The Panthers are bigger, deeper and surely better with a crop of transfers, with as many as three moving into the starting lineup. This is still a transition year but should be a far cry from the club that went 9-21 last year and finished 10th of 12 in the CAA.

Kennesaw State: In all, six players are gone from a 20-loss team from a year ago, including top scorer Ronell Wooten. But Jay Mitchell, a 6-9 transfer from Bobby Knight’s Texas Tech program, offers help inside.

WHAT MUST THE TEAM ACCOMPLISH IN THE EARLY GAMES TO GET READY FOR THE START OF CONFERENCE PLAY?

Georgia: Leadership is going to dictate how well the Bulldogs do, especially early in this season. Felton believes the Bulldogs could play better than last season, when the team looked to Bliss and Gaines for guidance. “Terrance Woodbury has stepped up in a major, major way and Corey [Butler] has been right there with him as his first lieutenant in leading this team,” Felton said.

Georgia Tech: Coach Paul Hewitt has five big men who can run, and he wants to exploit that edge. However, Aminu, Dieng and Brad Sheehan must prove they’ll produce if given significant minutes. Guard Lance Storrs also will get a chance to be a factor if he shoots well early. The Jackets lost 10 games by eight points or fewer last season. A brutal nonconference schedule hurt their confidence, but this year’s schedule is a lot more forgiving.

Ga. State: There will be an unavoidable familiarization process. Last year, coach Rod Barnes used 10 different starters while looking for the right mix. Expect more of the same. The Panthers will play an up-tempo style, which equates to plenty of playing time to share.

Kennesaw State: The Owls were outscored an average six points a game last year, and with six of its seven top scorers gone, the team has to find some scoring. The departed forwards Ronell Wooten and Shaun Stegall accounted for 30 points between them.

WHICH GAME WILL OFFER THE FIRST REAL CLUE ABOUT WHERE THIS TEAM STANDS (AND WHY)?

Georgia: The Bulldogs head to West LaFayette, Ind., and the campus of Purdue University for the opening rounds of the Preseason NIT Tipoff Classic. It opens with Loyola-Chicago on Nov. 17 but likely will get Purdue in the second round and an always tough Boston College team if it gets past that. They’ll also play at Western Kentucky (Dec. 2), face Illinois in Chicago (Dec. 6) and come home to face Virginia Tech (Dec. 9). They’ll either be full of confidence or humbled after those trips.

Georgia Tech: When Tech hosts Penn State in the ACC-Big 10 Challenge on Dec. 3, the Jackets will face a veteran bunch returning five of its top six players. The Nittany Lions went 15-16 last season but feel they are NCAA-bound for the first time since 2001. The most intriguing matchup will be at point guard, where sophomores Moe Miller and Talor Battle are rising stars. Coaches want Miller to keep attacking the basket, not least because he’s an 80 percent foul shooter.

Ga. State: Since they first played in 1970, the Panthers have managed to beat Georgia Tech only once (1973) in 15 tries. But their Dec. 17 meeting is a fair measuring stick. Tech beat GSU by 29 points two years ago. Last season, Tech’s winning margin was five.

Kennesaw State: The Owls get an early preview of the Atlantic Sun Conference with a Dec. 1 league opener with visiting USC Upstate, which went 7-23 last year. If KSU wins, maybe it can hold its place in the middle of the league. A KSU loss means trouble.

WHICH UNKNOWN COULD BECOME A STAR?

Georgia: Dustin Ware. For now, Ware, a freshman point guard, is battling sophomore Zac Swansey for starting duties. But he has already established a rep on the team as a quick and heady playmaker. The Dogs are giving Swansey a lot of work at the two-guard, which may say more about Ware. “I’m really excited to be here,” said Ware, who led North Cobb Christian to three consecutive state titles. “Defending the SEC title, that’s our main focus.”

Georgia Tech: Shumpert. A 6-5 freshman out of Oak Park, Ill., he can play either guard spot. The McDonald’s All-American can shoot and already is one of Tech’s best defenders. “He’s confident but not to the point where he’s cocky and doesn’t listen,” coach Paul Hewitt said. “He loves to play, loves to compete. That came through loud and clear in the intrasquad scrimmage.”

Ga. State: Chris Echols, a 6-6 forward who transferred from Arkansas-Fort Smith (junior college), will become an immediate presence at both ends of the floor. Don’t let the size fool you. He does much of his scoring out of the post.

Kennesaw State: Kelvin McConnell played well enough as a freshman last year to earn his way into the starting lineup. He’ll have to be a lot more this time around as the team’s top returning scorer (8.2) and best 3-point threat.

WHICH STARTER COULD STRUGGLE?

Georgia: Junior center Albert Jackson says it’s his goal to average a double-double this season. That would be an improvement over his first two seasons, (3.0 points, 3.3 rebounds). But Jackson’s performances down the stretch last season were encouraging. He put up double figures against Vanderbilt, Florida and Auburn. Jackson was asked how it feels to be a main man this season. “I think pressure sometimes makes you excel a little more … I feel like that pressure is going to take me to another level.”

Georgia Tech: It’s unclear if he’ll start, but Aminu is definitely in the top six and being counted on as a major contributor. He started seven games last year. “[Aminu] is a senior now, so if it is ever going to happen, it’s going to happen now,” Hewitt said. The 6-9 forward is a highlight reel waiting to happen. He grabbed 4.1 rebounds a game in 16.4 minutes last season, but he has frustrated coaches with inconsistent play.

Ga. State: Coach Rod Barnes had to man the point by committee last year, which gave more floor time to Trae Goldston. But the point now belongs to Wake Forest transfer Joe Dukes, meaning Goldston’s role is primarily backing up all-CAA guard Leonard Mendez, the team’s top scorer.

Kennesaw State: Jon-Michael Nickerson, a 6-6 forward and the only returning player on the front line, is going to need help. With the Owls’ outside scoring threat diminished, Nickerson must adapt to a new role as well as Mitchell, the newcomer at the other forward.

HOW DO THE WOMEN’S TEAMS LOOK?

Georgia: The Georgia women’s team surely will look different, what with four-time All-American Tasha Humphrey gone. Humphrey led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding the past four seasons, and her graduation to the WNBA signals some retooling.

Coach Andy Landers expects 6-5 junior forward Angel Robinson’s points and rebounds to rise from last year’s 9.9 and 8.4 “because there’s a different opportunity there.” Robinson is one of three starters returning from a 23-10 team, along with point guard Ashley Houts and shooting guard Angela Puleo. Others to watch: guard Christy Marshall and forwards Danielle Taylor (the team’s only senior), Porsha Phillips (sat out last season after transferring from LSU) and Jasmine Lee.

Georgia Tech: Coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournaments for the first time in history, the Jackets were picked to finish sixth in the ACC. But they are deep enough and quick enough to play coach MaChelle Joseph’s pressing style for 40 minutes. It all starts with senior guard Jacqua Williams, one of the nation’s top defensive players. She averaged an ACC-best 3.81 steals last year. Sophomores Alex Montgomery (10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds) and Iasia Hemingway, a ferocious rebounder at 5-11, lead the most athletic group in Joseph’s six-year tenure.

Georgia State: Coach Lea Henry returns all five starters and all top seven scorers from an 8-22 team last year. All-CAA guard Brittany Hollins heads up a deep roster, which was boosted by transfer Dana Olsen, a 6-1 junior college all-American at Labette (Kan.) Community College.

Kennesaw State: The Lady Owls were picked to finish second in the A-Sun, which would be a considerable feat if they were eligible for the conference championship. They are in the fourth and final transition season to Division I. Forward Britteny Henderson (17.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg) is the league’s reigning player of the year.

— Larry Hartstein, Thomas Stinson, Chip Towers and Tim Tucker contributed to this report.