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Tuesday, June 19
Updated: July 27, 9:15 AM ET
Team preview: La Salle Explorers
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 12-17; 5-11 in A-10 (8th)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: None.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. Who will show up as the "other" scorer next to Rasual Butler?
2. Need to find an inside presence.
3. How fast can players adjust to Billy Hahn's system?
Three Key Facts
1. The Explorers failed to produce a winning season for the eighth straight season in 2000-01, resulting in the firing of coach Speedy Morris after 15 seasons of service. As always, the Explorers were tough within the confines of Philadelphia, scaring Temple and Villanova and knocking off St. Joe's, but that passion wasn't evident every night.
2. Forward Rasual Butler led the A-10 in scoring last season, but guard Victor Thomas (19.9 ppg) is gone, leaving a void somebody has to fill this season in the backcourt.
3. La Salle finished the regular season with an inspired home win over St. Joseph's, and also beat Fordham in the first round of the A-10 postseason tournament. But four straight defeats prior to beating the Hawks was more the norm in 2000-01.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Fourth in the West.
Worst case: Finishing last is quite possible.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Rasual Butler
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Sr.
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F
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6-7/195
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PTS: 22.1 | REB: 6.4 | AST: 2.0
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Julian Blanks
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Sr.
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G
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6-2/195
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PTS: 12.2 | REB: 4.5 | AST: 6.0
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Victor Thomas
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F
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6-7/200
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PTS: 19.7 | REB: 6.8 | AST: 1.9
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Garrett Bragg
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C
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6-11/275
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PTS: 6.2 | REB: 5.3 | AST: 0.8
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LaSalle Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Dzflo Larkai
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F
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6-8
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Mitcham Surrey, England/The Gunnery School (Ct.)
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Reggie Okosa
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F
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6-9
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Claymont, Del./Brandywine
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Mike Cleaves
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G
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5-10
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Patterson/Notre Dame Prep (Ma.)
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Jeff Farmer
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G
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6-5
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Clinton/Morgan (Ct.)
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Marques Gantt
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C
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6-10
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Camden/Woodrow Wilson (N.J.)
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