Frontcourt

Hopes 6-foot-11 redshirt freshman Nate VanderSluis would return from a left foot injury that sidelined him last season were crushed after he reinjured the foot in September and underwent surgery to replace a screw.

"At least he hurt it earlier," coach Charlie Coles said. "That was good planning. Hopefully he'll get back. If he gets back, we'll be better, because we'll be bigger. He can score off the low post and pass the ball."

Until VanderSluis returns, Miami again will count on 6-6 junior Gene Seals and 6-5 sophomore Danny Horace to carry the rebounding and defensive load. Horace led the RedHawks in blocked shots and rebounds last season and was named to the Mid-American Conference all-freshman team. In one six-game stretch, Seals guarded five of the MAC's top scorers. Combined, they were averaging 93.1 points a game; Seals limited them to a total of 59 points.

If Coles decides Seals is more valuable off the bench, 6-6 sophomore Tim Schenke could start. Schenke, an Elder High product, is more comfortable than Horace or Seals in the low post, especially after hitting the weights during the offseason.

Backcourt

The RedHawks are blessed with talent and experience at guard. Juby Johnson, a 6-5 junior, made the preseason MAC all-East Division team and is Miami's top returning scorer after averaging 10.5 points a game. Chet Mason, a 6-3 junior, returns for his second season as a starter after sitting out his freshman year as a partial academic qualifier.

Miami probably will start three guards, at least until VanderSluis returns, and Matt Jameson, a 6-1 senior, is the top candidate to fill the third slot. Jameson started 15 of Miami's 29 games during the 2000-01 season, but he started just one and missed nine last season.

One problem with Miami's three-guard offense is, many times, two of them have point guard backgrounds. Mason can be valuable and dangerous with the ball, but he also is helpful as a rebounder.

Bench

Bryan Reed, a 6-6 senior forward, is sure to receive significant playing time, especially while VanderSluis is out. Miami also is hoping for quick development from 6-10 freshman John Morningstar, the tallest RedHawk next to VanderSluis.

Seniors Larry Drake and Doug Williams offer experience off the bench. The 6-4 Williams started 17 games last season. Drake is listed as a forward but also can play guard.

Freshman guards Josh Hausfeld, a Roger Bacon graduate, and Ryan Baumgartner show maturity that could lead to playing time.

Intangibles

Miami should look more active with the ball this season, especially with a new-look offense - modeled after the motion, backdoor-cut styles made famous by the Ivy League Princeton Tigers - and the quickness of Mason and Baumgartner.

An anemic offense, which was limited to an ignominious 23 points in a loss at Dayton and scored 80 just twice in non-overtime games, led to last season's 13-18 record. Improving upon that is a top priority.

"I think this team is just naturally quicker," Coles said. "I think we'll score more points this year."

As Coles points out, the RedHawks also are a team of contradictions. The roster is youth-oriented, with five freshmen and only four seniors, but four starters return from last season.

"We have a lot of veterans, but we're young," Coles said. "Our four returning starters all have potential, but that's all it is - potential - until they prove they can play well."

Games to watch

Nov.24 at Maryland - The RedHawks provide the opposition as the defending national champion Terrapins open their new home, the 17,100-seat Comcast Center, in a game scheduled to be televised on ESPN2.

Dec.4 vs. Dayton - Besides being longtime local rivals, the Flyers are coming off a 21-11 NIT season and could challenge Xavier in the Atlantic 10 West Division.

Dec.9 at Xavier - Miami was the visiting team when the Musketeers opened Cintas Center two years ago.

Dec.14 vs. Butler - The Bulldogs set a school record with 26 wins last season, but they still might be smarting from being snubbed by the NCAA after losing in the first round of their league tournament.

Dec. 28 vs. Cincinnati at U.S. Bank Arena - The RedHawks and Bearcats haven't played since 1997. UC owns a four-game winning streak in the series.

Jan.18 at Ohio - The Bobcats' position as East Division favorites adds spice to this heated rivalry.

Jan.25 vs. Ball State - The first of two games against the Cardinals, who are favored to win the MAC title.

- Mark Schmetzer

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