by Sports Xchange

--F John Williams, a 6-foot-4 junior, is generally regarded as the Big South's best athlete, pound-for-pound, because of his leaping ability and his ability to defend. "As an athlete, I didn't think he could get better, yet he came back stronger and jumping higher," Biedenbach said. "He actually jumped up and stuck his chin on the rim. I've had some great players over the years, guys like David Thompson and Dominique Wilkins. Guys that are really talented and athletic. He's really like them from that standpoint. He's not the basketball player those guys were, but he works hard on his game."

--The point guard tandem of J.P Primm and Matt Dickey were a big reason the Bulldogs overachieved last season. "They were the most consistent freshmen that I've had in a long, long time," Biedenbach said. "And they've come back much improved over last year. ... I really can't tell you what the ceiling is on those guys. I think they surprised me as freshmen with their consistently good play."

LAST YEAR: 15-16 overall, 10-8 in the Big South; lost to Radford in Big South tournament semifinals.

HEAD COACH: Eddie Biedenbach (career 210-253); 14th year at North Carolina Ashville (191-202).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Defensively, all three of those guys need to improve at that spot in how they approach defense and how hard they play." -- Coach Eddie Biedenbach on guards Sean Smith, J.P. Primm and Matt Dickey.