1. Western Carolina Catamounts

LAST SEASON: 16-15, 11-9 (Tied for 1st in North)

COACH: Larry Hunter, 50-73 in four seasons at WCU

KEY RETURNEES: G Brandon Giles, 6-6, sr. (13.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg); G Harouna Mutombo, 6-4, so. (14.4 ppg, 4. rpg); F Jake Robinson, 6-8, sr. (9.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg); G Brigham Waginer, 6-2, sr. (8.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg).

IMPACT NEWCOMERS: G Trey Sumler, 6-2, fr.; C Sam Smithson, 6-9, fr.

NOTES: WCU returns the top five scorers from last year's team … Mutombo is the nephew of former NBA great Diekembe Mutombo … Mutombo, last season's freshman of the year, and Giles were named to the preseason All-SoCon squad.

OUTLOOK: With nine seniors and juniors on the squad, the Catamounts are poised for a breakout season. The early schedule, with four of the first six games in Cullowhee, N.C., should allow for a quick start. Texas, Louisville and Clemson are big-name foes.

2. Appalachian State Mountaineers

LAST SEASON: 13-18, 9-11 (Tied for 3rd in North)

COACH: Buzz Peterson, 79-39 in four seasons at App State

KEY RETURNEES: G Donald Sims, 6-1, jr. (13.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg); G Kellen Brand, 6-1, sr. (14.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg); G Ryann Abraham, 5-10, sr. (9.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg); F Josh Hunter, 6-6, sr. (8.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg).

IMPACT NEWCOMERS: G Ryan Kilmartin, 6-4, fr.; C Josh Nirenberg, 6-9, fr.

NOTES: Peterson is back for his second stint at App State, replacing Houston Fancher … Peterson led App State to three SoCon regular season titles and one NCAA Tournament berth from 1996-2000 before going on to Tulsa, Tennessee, Coastal Carolina and the Charlotte Bobcats … Charleston Southern's Omar Carter transferred to App State, but won't be eligible this season.

OUTLOOK: Fancher did not leave the cupboard bare, with Brand, Sims, Abraham, Hunter and 6-10 Isaac Butts a solid nucleus.

3. Samford Bulldogs

LAST SEASON: 16-16, 9-11 (Tied 3rd in SoCon)

COACH: Jimmy Tillette, 185-161 in 11 seasons at Samford

KEY RETURNEES: F Bryan Friday, 6-6, sr. (12.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg); G Trey Montgomery, 6-4, sr. (11.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg); G Josh Davis, 6-4, jr. (10.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg); C Andy King, 6-8, jr. (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg).

IMPACT NEWCOMERS: C Levi Barnes, 6-10, fr.; F-C Drew Windler, 6-9, fr.; G Gregg Wooten, 6-2, fr.

NOTES: Samford suffered a tragic loss in the offseason with the death of senior forward Jim Griffin. He died in his sleep in his dorm room in September … Samford made the semifinals of the SoCon Tournament last season, its first in the league.

OUTLOOK: With four returning starters and 11 lettermen back, Samford has plenty of experience. Tillette says the Bulldogs need to improve their rebounding, especially on the defensive end. Samford's first four games are on the road.

4. Chattanooga Mocs

LAST SEASON: 18-17, 11-9 (Tied 1st in North)

COACH: John Shulman, 90-72 in five seasons at Chattanooga

KEY RETURNEES: G Ty Patterson, 6-6, sr. (8.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); F Dante Harvey, 6-6, so. (3 ppg, 3 rpg); F Chris Early, 6-7, so. (3 ppg, 2 rpg).

IMPACT NEWCOMERS: G/F Troy Cage, 6-5, jr.; C DeAntre Jefferson, 6-8, jr.; F Ridge McKeither, 6-5, jr.; G Keegan Bell, 6-1, so.

NOTES: Mocs lost all five starters from the team that won the SoCon Tournament on its home floor last season … Bell sat out last season after transferring from Vanderbilt and should help right away … Shulman has brought in three junior college transfers to help fill the void … McKeither was a junior college All-American last year, and Cage originally signed with UNLV.

OUTLOOK: Mocs must put together the pieces quickly, but there is talent on hand. Sixteen home games should help them gel by tournament time.

5. Elon Phoenix

LAST SEASON: 11-20, 7-13 (5th in North)

COACH: Matt Matheny, first year at Elon

KEY RETURNEES: G Chris Long, 6-2, jr. (7.2 ppg, 40.2 3FG pct.); G Devan Carter, 6-1, sr. (7.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg); G Josh Bonney, 5-10, so. (5.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg).

IMPACT NEWCOMERS: F Brett Ervin, 6-6, fr.; G John Moody, 6-4, fr.; F Roger Dugas, 6-8, fr.

NOTES: Matheny is former right-hand man to Bob McKillop at Davidson and replaces Ernie Nestor … He has some rebuilding to do with the loss of top scorers Ola Atoyebi and Brett James from last year's squad … Elon will play in the Preseason NIT this year and also faces Wake Forest and N.C. State

OUTLOOK: Matheny knows the SoCon well after his years at Davidson. If he can emulate McKillop's recruiting success, Elon's long-term future is bright, even if this season is a struggle.

6. UNC Greensboro Spartans

LAST SEASON: 5-25, 4-16 (6th in North)

COACH: Mike Dement, 107-126 in 7 seasons at UNCG.

KEY RETURNEES: F Pete Brown, 6-6, sr. (4.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg); G Mikko Koivisto, 6-4, sr. (12.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg); G Kendall Toney, 6-3, sr. (8.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg); F Ben Stywall, 6-5., sr. (11.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg).

IMPACT NEWCOMERS: G Brandon Evans, 6-2, jr.; F/C Brian Cole, 6-8, fr.; F Taylor Hoffer, 6-7, fr.; G Kyle Randall, 5-11, fr.; G Korey Van Dussen, 6-2, fr.

NOTES: Hoffer is out for the season with a leg injury that required surgery … Evans is a transfer from East Carolina … Randall could wind up starting at point guard for the Spartans.

OUTLOOK: Spartans are moving their home games to the Greensboro Coliseum this season, including home games with Clemson, East Carolina, Wake Forest, N.C. State and Maryland. Good for the gate, bad for the record.

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