Last season: 27-6
Inside the Swordsmen
Leading returning scorer: Wendell Davenport, 6 ppg
Leading returning rebounder: Davenport, 2 rpg
Star power: Wendell Davenport, Jr., G/F. Davenport has long arms, is athletic and will have to step up offensively this season.
Newcomer to watch: Colin Moncado, So., F. Defense is what the Swordsmen are all about and coach James Woosley thinks Moncado could be a big contributor there soon.
Breakdown
A time of transition
The Swordsmen have a lot to make up for having graduated 12 players, but this program seems to rattle off 20 wins every year. Coach James Woosley is in his second season at the helm after taking over for Fred Mooney, who was there for 35 years. "I'm teaching the same things that I've taught for 17 years (as the JV coach), and that's the same thing that was taught before that," Woosley said. "I don't feel like a new guy. I really didn't want to change anything." Defense will again be the major focus, as the UCLA press these kids start learning in grade school will again be in effect. "We're not real big, so we'll have to play good defense," Woosley said. "Our defensive pressure around the perimeter has got to be very good so they don't get a good look inside. And we'll push the ball in transition to see if we have any opportunities." Fast, easy points will be key for a team that has little experience and is without a true frontcourt. Only three players are actually returning to the varsity team, so opponents routinely beaten by the Swordsmen may see 2012-13 as a chance to avenge those losses. Junior forward Wendell Davenport, who started a few games as a sophomore, is back. Point guard Josh Conger may have the most time spent on the hardwood. — David P. Funk
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