Coach: Mike Jaskulski, second season at Towson (8-20), sixth overall (70-68).
Affiliation: America East.
1997-98 record: 8-20 overall, 4-14 in America East.
Radio: WTMD (89.7 FM).
Arena: Towson Center (5,000).
Starters lost: Two.
Tickets: $8 adults, $6 alumni, $4 students (with ID) and senior citizens. Call 410-830-2244.
Best home game: Delaware, Feb. 7. Towson played the defending America East champions tough in both regular-season meetings before taking a thrashing in the tournament. The Blue bTC Hens expect another NCAA appearance with four starters back.
Best visiting player: Craig Claxton, Hofstra, Dec. 12. Delaware's Mike Pegues could be the best overall player in the America East, but no one entering the Towson Center will be more fun to watch than Claxton, who averaged 16.3 points, 2.2 steals and 7.2 assists last season.
Outlook: The Tigers lost their best scorer, Ralph Biggs, but transfers Torin Ragin and Josh Davalli should help. Marlin Wise and Raul de Pablo are the returning starters, shoring up the backcourt, but Wise is ineligible for the first semester. Damon Cason or Pete Mauro will start in Wise's place until he returns, and look for Alphonso Hawes' offensive role to increase at power forward with Ragin at small forward.
Around the league: Boston University tied Delaware for the conference crown and also returns four of its starters.
Returning players
Name -- Brian Barber
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 6-6
Wt. -- 205
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Will probably have increased role.
Name -- Damon Cason
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 5-11
Wt. -- 183
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Wise's absence provides opportunity.
Name -- Raul de Pablo
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-1
Wt. -- 175
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Team's main long-range threat.
Name -- Ryan Hannon
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 6-7
Wt. -- 240
Pos. -- C
Fast breaks -- Walk-on during '96-97 season.
Name -- Alphonso Hawes
Yr. -- Sr.
Ht. -- 6-5
Wt. -- 220
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Projected as team's main rebounder.
Name -- Marlin Wise
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 5-11
Wt. -- 185
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Point guard ineligible until December.
Newcomers
Name -- Kerry Augustus
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 6-6
Wt. -- 195
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Role still unclear at this point.
@Name -- Josh Davalli
Yr. -- So.
Ht. -- 6-6
Wt. -- 195
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Led team in exhibition opener.
Name -- Shaun Holtz
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 6-8
Wt. -- 230
Pos. -- C
Fast breaks -- Needed to help Hawes inside.
Name -- Pete Mauro
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-2
Wt. -- 190
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Will probably start with Wise out.
Name -- Torin Ragin
Yr. -- Jr.
Ht. -- 6-5
Wt. -- 205
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Projected as team's top player.
Name -- Danny White
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 6-1
Wt. -- 190
Pos. -- G
Fast breaks -- Father is ASU AD; brother is Ole Miss guard.
Name -- Guy Zenou
Yr. -- Fr.
Ht. -- 6-8
Wt. -- 180
Pos. -- F
Fast breaks -- Israeli junior national team member.
Pub Date: 11/13/98