by Sports Xchange

Bad, because it means duplicating a rare 20-victory season without the most veteran of veterans will be an uphill climb. Good, because the Colonels have the players in place for success beyond 2009-2010.

Either way, J.P. Piper's mostly undersized squad should again make a run in the SLC East after last season's runner-up finish behind Stephen F. Austin, which has more new moving parts than returning ones.

Nicholls State said goodbye to two starters but returns three more and eight lettermen in all. Despite a cluster of newcomers, Piper believes the roster could be deeper than last season's team that won 12 games in SLC play.

Outside shooting is a clear strength, and the roster lists no centers. There is an affinity for Australians. Nicholls State has three of them, all 6-6 or taller.

Swingman Anatoly Bose, a 6-6 Sydney native, leads a contingent of long-range bombers. He hit 42 percent from three-point range last season and shot a decent 46 percent overall.

Versatile sophomore Fred Hunter (6-5, 240), last year's SLC freshman of the year, shot 56 percent overall and led Nicholls in offensive rebounds with 52 while playing all over the floor.

Guard Kellan Carter, more regular-sized at his position at 6-0 and 180, finished in the top 20 in D-I in steals per game at 2.4.

Nicholls State might not pass many pre-game eyeball tests, but you know what they say about looks.