Men's college basketball advance boxes

By Carroll Rogers

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech

Coach: Paul Hewitt, 10th year

2008-09 record: 12-19, 2-14 in ACC

Key returning players: Jr. F Gani Lawal, Sr. G D'Andre Bell

Skinny: The Yellow Jackets look for big improvement behind a heralded freshman class led by Derrick Favors, Mfon Udofia and Glen Rice Jr. Lawal is back after an NBA flirtation which will take some pressure off Favors. Together those two should give the Yellow Jackets one of the top front courts in the conference. It's a matter of whether their backcourt can match. The return of Bell from spinal surgery will help.

Georgia

Coach: Mark Fox, first year

2008-09 record: 12-20, 3-13 in SEC

Key returning players: So. F Trey Thompkins, So. G Dustin Ware

Skinny: The Fox era begins with a transition to his triangle offense, which could take time. Georgia needed changes, though, after finishing last in the SEC in scoring (64.9) and field goal percentage (.412). Fox, a native Kansan, comes from the University of Nevada, where he coached center Nick Fazekas and went 123-43 in five seasons, including three trips to the NCAA tournament.

Georgia Southern

Coach: Charlton "C.Y." Young, first year

2008-09 record: 8-22, 5-15 in Southern Conference

Key returning players: Jr. G Willie Powers, Sr. F Tyler Troupe, So. G Ben Drayton

Skinny: The former four-year assistant under Paul Hewitt at Tech takes his first head coaching job at his alma mater. The Eagles haven't made the NCAA tournament since 1992 when Young was their point guard. He wants to play "fast and organized." Powers returns from a knee injury which cost him all but 11 games last season. But Young will have to wait on the returns of forwards Colby Wohlleb (ankle) and Sandy Perry (academics).

Georgia State

Coach: Rod Barnes, third year

2008-09 record: 12-20, 8-10 in CAA

Key returning players: Sr. G Joe Dukes, G Trae Goldston

Skinny: Barnes feels good about a roster with six seniors, including leading scorer Joe Dukes, who averaged 19.5 points and 9 rebounds in two CAA tournament games. Marques Johnson joins the team after sitting out a year following his transfer from N.C. State. He is a pure point guard and will free up Dukes from some ball-handling duties. The Panthers open on the road at N.C. State.

Mercer

Coach: Bob Hoffman, second season

2008-09 record: 17-15, 11-9 in A-Sun

Key returning players: Sr. G James Florence, Sr. F Daniel Emerson

Skinny: Mercer is coming off its winningest season in six years and only its fifth winning season in 15 years. The Bears return four starters from a team which beat both Auburn and Alabama and took Georgia Tech to overtime last season. This year they'll host Florida State and travel to Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt and Alabama. They're led by Florence, a Wheeler High graduate who averaged 20.8 points and 3.7 assists per game last season.