Bucknell (16-12) has 6-foot-10 senior Mike Butts (seventh in the nation in blocked shots) at center and four other starters who averaged double figures.
Delaware (19-9) lost the NCAA's all-time assist leader, Taurence Chisholm, yet coach Steve Steinwedel figures transfers Ted Williams and Renard Johnson will work wonders. Van Breda Kolff's glimmer of hope at Hofstra (6-22) is a deep backcourt, anchored by senior Carlos DiCenta (12.2 ppg), who shot 49.7 percent from the field last season.
Fran McCaffery parlayed Lehigh's (21-10) ECC championship into an assistant's job at Notre Dame. Assistant David Duke moves up and has to manage without Daren Queenan and Mike Poloha. Junior guard Scott Layer is the only returning starter.
Rider coach John Carpenter had nine freshmen on his squad last year and has added seven more. The Broncs will build around 6-6 sophomore Jim Cleveland (12.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg), 1987 ECC rookie of the year.
Terry Truax hopes three transfers plus three starters add up to his first winning record at Towson State (14-16) since the school joined Division I. Swingman Kennell Jones and 6-5 forward Kelly Williamson - both junior transfers - could have an impact this season.
Life without Michael Anderson? Drexel coach Eddie Burke finds out if the Dragons (18-10) can make a strong showing with 6-7 senior forward John Rankin (West Catholic) and an excellent crop of freshmen.
