With the loss of center Bill Ewing and captain Paul Fisher, who averaged 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, the Crimson is definitely looking for someone to step up immediately and aid junior forward Dan Clemente, the team's only returning double-digit scorer.

Clemente averaged 14.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range, but if the Crimson is to repeat last year's performance they will need more than a hot-handed Clemente.

If the call goes out to the freshmen class to step up, forward Sam Winter should be ready.

A 6'6, 200-lb. native of Topeka, Kan., Winter has the ability to make an immediate impact.

A very polished forward, Winter comes with the ability to drain baskets like a shooting guard or post up like a power forward, depending upon the situation.

"Sam plays a very similar game to Dan [Clemente]," Gellert said. "He's good at going outside a lot and can score."

Senior forward Ethan Altaratz and junior forward Bryan Parker are likely to get the coach's nod backing up Clemente, but Altaratz saw minimal time last season, and Parker is a junior-college transfer. If either of them falters, the freshmen may get a chance to prove themselves.

"Although there's not as much experience on our team as in recent years," Sullivan said. "This group has the work and practice habits--and the enthusiasm--that will allow them to improve individually and help us grow as a team."