by Sports Xchange

   THE GOOD NEWS: It is all good news for Marshall, who has four starters and nine of his top 10 scorers back. And many of them will be around for several years. The Shockers will be a young team next season, but experienced, confident and talented. The additions of F Gabe Blair, a transfer who sat out this season, and G Kenny Manigault, should improve WSU's athletic ability. WSU should cause headaches with its presses when Marshall rolls out a lineup of tall, fast players.

   THE BAD NEWS: Somebody needs to make shots. Marshall is counting on maturity and experience to help up the shooting percentages. None of the Shockers has experienced success on the road, so that's another hurdle to clear.

   KEY RETURNEES: Leading scorer Clevin Hannah did well as the point guard. He may get more time at shooting guard next season if freshman Kenny Manigault can play point. Freshman Toure Murry showed star power with two game-winning 3-pointers and countless other big shots. He needs to cut down on turnovers and bad shots to take the next step. Sophomore J.T. Durley was an unstoppable inside scorer at times.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Freshman G David Kyles worked his way out of the doghouse and became an important reserve. Kyles is a good defender who scored more as the season wore on. He may be part of the answer to WSU's offensive problems.

--Freshman F Johnny Coy, a midseason transfer from Arizona State, will not be eligible until after the fall semester in 2009. The NCAA turned down his appeal for a waiver to the transfer rule. Coy, from St. Joseph, Mo., left ASU to be closer to his ailing father.

--F A.J. Hawkins lost his starting job to Graham Hatch in the CBI games. Hawkins, a junior, never found his scoring touch. Hatch, who also struggled to score, passed Hawkins with his hustle and defense.