A capsule look at some of the area's men's teams, with their schedules for 2011-12.
Baldwin-Wallace College
David Liam Kyle, davidliamkyle.comKyle Payne averaged more than 15 points per game in 2010-11 for the Yellow Jackets. Coach: Duane Sheldon (31-45, fourth year at B-W, 95-138 overall in nine years).
Key returners: Kyle Payne (15.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Promis Cabbil (9.4 ppg, 86 assists), Chris Ameen (9.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Kevin Krakowiak (9.5 ppg, 94.5 percent from free-throw line).
Backcourt: All-Ohio Athletic Conference point guard Promis Cabbil (Elyria) will start at point for the fourth straight season and enters his final campaign with 643 career points, 258 assists and 109 steals. He led the team in assists with 86 and was third in the OAC averaging 3.83 assists per game in 2010-11. Sophomore guard Grant Fairhurst will look to help Cabbil run the backcourt. Fairhurst scored 7.1 ppg, made a team-high 44 three-pointers, including tying a school single-game record with eight last season. Freshman Jaron Crowe (Mentor) missed last season due to an injury and will look to get playing time at guard.
Frontcourt: All-OAC forward Kyle Payne (Brunswick), last year's OAC Freshman of the Year, started in all 24 games last season as a freshman. He led the team in scoring at 15.3 ppg., averaged a team-high 28.8 minutes and was second on the team in rebounds, with 4.8 a game. Juniors Sean Rothermel and Scott Branchick (Mentor) will join Payne at the forward position. Rothermel scored 4.3 ppg and grabbed 2.4 rpg.
On the inside, junior forward Chris Ameen (Walsh Jesuit) has started in 41 of 47 games over two years. Ameen led the team in rebounding with 5.9 a game, good for seventh in the OAC, and was second on the team averaging 9.9 ppg. Ameen is not afraid to shoot it from the outside as he hit 10 treys last season. Also look for 6-9 Aaron Selmek and transfer from Wheeling (W.Va.) Jesuit Tyler Farrell (Brunswick) to add strength and depth inside. Both junior Ben Umbel and sophomore Kevin Krakowiak (Holy Name) will continue to help both on the inside and outside. Umbel, who transferred from B-W to Youngstown State, averaged 3.1 ppg. a year ago and is one of the most athletic players on the team. Krakowiak had a strong freshman season and was third in scoring at 9.5 ppg. He made 34 three-pointers and shot a school-record 94.5 percent from the free throw line (52 of 55).
Outlook: The Yellow Jackets will look to improve upon a 9-16 record from last season. They Eight of their first 10 games are on the road. Sheldon will look for his returning veterans to be better and for his newcomers to give his team more depth.
Remaining schedule: Wednesday at Allegheny, 8; Dec. 3 Marietta, 3; Dec. 7 at Heidelberg, 7:30; Dec. 10 at Wilmington, 4; Dec. 17 at Muskingum, 3; Dec. 20 Transylvania (Ky.) University Don Lane Classic, vs. Wabash (Ind.), 5:30; Dec. 21 Transylvania (Ky.) University Don Lane Classic, vs. Hendrix (Tenn.) or Transylvania (Ky.), 5 or 7; Dec. 30 Alma, 7; Jan. 4 at John Carroll, 7; Jan. 7 at Capital, 2; Jan. 11 Mount Union, 7:30; Jan. 14 at Ohio Northern, 4; Jan. 18 Otterbein, 7:30; Jan. 21 at Marietta, 3; Jan. 25 Heidelberg, 7:30; Jan. 28 Wilmington, 4; Feb. 1 at Otterbein, 7:30; Feb. 4 Muskingum, 3; Feb. 8 John Carroll, 7:30; Feb. 11 Capital, 3; Feb. 15 at Mount Union, 7:30; Feb. 18 Ohio Northern, 4.
Case Western Reserve University
Coach: Sean McDonnell (65-135, ninth year at CWRU).
Key returners: Austin Fowler (16.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 40 3's), Tom Summers (9.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Tim Chung (8.0 ppg, 40 3-pts.), David Thompson (4.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg).
Backcourt: Chung is expected to move into the starting lineup after playing all 25 games as a freshman and leading the team with 48 three-pointers. Junior guard Robert Scott, who missed much of last season, returns to the Spartan rotation after averaging 4.8 ppg and leading the team in three-point shooting (.483). Freshmen Jordan Dean, Kenny Gibbons and Joe Mims (Aurora) will compete for the starting point guard job.
Frontcourt: In his first season with the team, Fowler led the squad and ranked fourth in the University Athletic Association in scoring at 16.8 ppg en route to earning first-team all-conference honors. Fowler scored in double figures in all but four games, and he was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District squad. Summers, a 2009-10 second-team All-UAA pick, was third on the squad in scoring (9.0 ppg) and tied for first in rebounding (6.8 rpg). Also the team captain, Summers has 16 double doubles in his career. The 6-9 Thompson played in 18 games last year, averaging 4.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per contest and was second on the team with 23 blocked shots. Also look for freshmen Dane McLoughlin and Julien Person to contribute.
Outlook: The Spartans finished 9-16 overall and 5-9 in the UAA. With a tough schedule that includes four teams in the D3Hoops.com Preseason Top 25, CWRU will rely heavily on the likes of Fowler and Summers as it hopes to make improvements.
Remaining schedule: Wednesday Oberlin, 8; Dec. 3 at Hiram, 3; Dec. 7 at Allegheny, 7:30; Dec. 9 Kenyon, 7:30; Dec. 12 Kalamazoo, 7:30; Dec. 29 Waynesburg, 8; Dec. 30 Bill Sudeck Holiday Tournament Championship/Consolation Game; Jan. 7 Carnegie Mellon, 5; Jan. 13 Washington University, St. Louis, 8; Jan. 15 Chicago, noon; Jan. 20 at Rochester (N.Y.), 8; Jan. 22 at Emory (Ga.), 12; Jan. 27 at Brandeis, 8; Jan. 29 at NYU, noon; Feb. 3 Brandeis , 8; Feb. 5 NYU, noon; Feb. 10 at Washington University, St. Louis, 9; Feb. 12 at Chicago, 2; Feb. 17 Rochester (N.Y.), 8; Feb. 19 Emory (Ga.), 12; Feb. 25 at Carnegie Mellon, 5
Hiram College
Coach: Steve Fleming (57-73, sixth year at Hiram).
Key returners: Aaron Stefanov (9.2 ppg), Jamaal Watkins (6.7 ppg), Andrew Wiegand (8.0 ppg).
Backcourt: Senior duo of Andrew Wiegand (Amherst Firelands) and Jamaal Watkins (South Euclid Brush). Wiegand saw playing time both as a starter and coming off the bench in 2010-11 and averaged 8.0 ppg. Watkins primarily came off the bench and averaged 6.7 ppg. Sophomore guard Aaron Stefanov (Stow Munroe Falls) was the 2010-11 North Coast Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year after finishing second on the team in scoring at 9.2 ppg. and led the Terriers in three-pointers made (58), attempts (127) and shooting percentage (45.7 per cent).
Frontcourt: Junior Steve Zivoder (Garrettsville), a 6-6 forward, will be the returning big man with the most experience from last season. He averaged 1.3 ppg and 1.6 rpg in a backup role. Sophomore 6-7 forward Chris Zurowski (Medina) and junior 6-7 forward Justin Lonis (Perrysburg) could also see increased playing time. Also 6-3 sophomore Eric Wheeler (Aurora) and 6-3 freshman Shawntrail Smith (Akron) will compete for playing time.
Outlook: The 2011-12 team will feature a balance of veterans and youth as the Terriers look to rebuild after the loss of six seniors. Hiram was 14-12 in 2010-11 and qualified for its eighth appearance in the NCAC Tournament. This winter, the Terriers are picked seventh in the conference.
Remaining schedule: Saturday at Bluffton, 3; Wednesday Denison, 7:30; Dec. 3 CWRU, 3; Dec. 7 at Oberlin, 8; Dec. 14 Grove City (Pa.), 7:30; Dec. 18 at Washington & Jefferson (Pa.), 3; Dec. 22 Westminster (Pa.), 6; Dec. 29 Wooster Classic, TBA; Dec. 30 Wooster Classic, TBA; Jan. 6 Wabash (Ind.), 8; Jan. 7 DePauw (Ind.), 4; Jan. 11 at Wooster, 8; Jan. 14 at Kenyon, 3; Jan. 18 at Ohio Wesleyan, 8; Jan. 21 Wittenberg, 4; Jan. 25 at Allegheny (Pa.), 8; Jan. 28 Wooster, 3; Feb. 1 Kenyon, 7:30; Feb. 4 at Denison, 3; Feb. 8 Allegheny (Pa.), 8; Feb. 11 Ohio Wesleyan, 3; Feb. 15 Oberlin, 8; Feb. 18 at Wittenberg, 4.
John Carroll University
John Carroll UniversityGuard Corey Shontz is one of four seniors returning this season for John Carroll. Shontz averaged14.8 points per game last season, best on the team. Coach: Mike Moran (348-199, 20th year at JCU).
Key returners: Corey Shontz (13.4 ppg), Joe Meyer (13.4 ppg), Mark Hester (11.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), Michael Hartnett (9.3 ppg).
Backcourt: Senior guards Corey Shontz, Joe Meyer (Mentor) and Michael Hartnett (St. Edward) will anchor the backcourt. Each of the three is an accomplished three-point shooter, Hartnett and Meyer both shot 50 percent in 2010-11. Shontz, Meyer, and Hartnett have combined for 2,350 points in their careers. Off the bench sophomore guard and St. Edward product Ryan Angers supplies energy on offense and defense.
Frontcourt: The big question mark will be the impact of senior Kyle Hubbard (St. Edward), a 6-5 forward who only played in seven games last season due to injury. Hubbard averaged 12.1 ppg, shot better than 58 percent from the floor and almost 90 percent from the free-throw line. Hubbard, in addition to 6-4 senior Mark Hester and 6-8 junior center Kenny Janz will look to anchor the frontcourt following the graduation of Maurice Haynes.
Outlook: The conference coaches picked the Blue Streaks to finish second behind 2011 OAC champion Marietta, which returns all five starters. With seven seniors, John Carroll should be in the mix for its tenth OAC regular season title in Moran's 20-year tenure. They won 19 games last season.
Remaining schedule: Friday, Saturday, at Spalding Thanksgiving Tournament; Dec. 3 Capital University, 2; Dec. 7 at Mount Union, 7:30; Dec. 10 at Ohio Northern, 3; Dec. 17 Otterbein, 2; Dec. 29-30 Bill Sudeck Holiday Tournament; Jan. 4 Baldwin-Wallace, 7; Jan. 7 at Wilmington, 3; Jan. 11 at Muskingum, 7:30; Jan. 14 Marietta, 7; Jan. 18 Heidelberg, 7; Jan. 21 at Capital, 2; Jan. 25 Mount Union, 7; Jan. 28 Ohio Northern, 2; Feb. 1 at Heidelberg, 7:30; Feb. 4 at Otterbein, 7:30; Feb. 8 at Baldwin-Wallace, 7:30; Feb. 11 Wilmington, 3; Feb. 15 Muskingum, 7; Feb. 18 at Marietta, 3.
Lake Erie College
Coach: Cliff Hunt (90-73, seventh year at LEC).
Key returners: Riley Thomas (8.6 ppg, 67 assists), Rich Austin (6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg), Brandon Smith (5.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Matt Grendel (5.9 ppg.)
Backcourt: Sophomore Riley Thomas figures to be Lake Erie's go-to player after starting his final 21 games as a freshman and is the team's leading returning scorer at 8.6 ppg. Thomas figures to slide from point guard to the two spot to make room for sophomore transfer Nate Tait (Brush). The 5-11 guard averaged 7.3 ppg at Alderson-Broaddus last season. Senior guard Brandon Smith (Bedford/Cuyahoga Community College) will likely start after averaging 5.9 ppg and 4.2 rpg last season. Junior Alex Davis (Nordonia) made nine starts with 3.7 ppg and 24 steals. Redshirt freshman Jamil Dudley (Massillon), the U.S. Junior National Champion in the high jump, and freshman Trey Howard should see time as well.
Frontcourt: Lake Erie will be looking to replace 6-8 junior center Garrick Sims (Barberton), who was lost for the season due to a preseason injury. Sophomore Rich Austin (St. Ignatius) is expected to help fill the void after making 12 starts last season and putting up 6.0 ppg and 3.9 rpg. Junior Matt Grendel (Independence) should start at power forward after averaging 5.9 ppg in 16 starts. Juniors Jordan Baker and Eric Worthey (Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) and freshman Jawaun Springs are all expected to see time in the frontcourt.
Outlook: The Storm was 7-19 last season and 3-16 in their first season as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Lake Erie only graduated one starter from last season's squad.
Remaining schedule: Sunday Mercyhurst, 7:30; Dec. 1 Wayne State, 8; Dec. 3 Hillsdale, 3; Dec. 11 at Ashland, 3; Dec. 17 at Northwood, 3; Dec. 29 at Rollins, TBD; Dec. 30 vs. Cal (Pa.)/West Georgia, TBD; Jan. 4 Urbana, 7:30; Jan. 7 at Ohio Dominican, 3; Jan. 12 Findlay, 8; Jan. 14 Tiffin, 3; Jan. 19 Lake Superior State, 8; Jan. 21 Saginaw Valley State, 3; Jan. 26 Findlay, 8; Jan. 28 at Wayne State, 3; Feb. 1 at Hillsdale, 8; Feb. 4 Ohio Dominican, 3; Feb. 9 at Ferris State, 8; Feb. 11 Grand Valley State, 8; Feb. 16 Northern Michigan, 8; Feb. 18 Michigan Tech, 3; Feb. 23 at Tiffin, 8; Feb. 25 at Ashland, 3.
Oberlin College
Coach: Isiah Cavaco (23-103, sixth season at OC).
Key returners: Josh Merritt (12.8 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.1 rpg, 1.5 spg), Andrew Fox (13.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.8 spg), Geoff Simpson (7.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.7 apg).
Backcourt: Senior Josh Merritt, a 2010-11 NCAC honorable mention selection, returns as one of the most experienced players in the North Coast Athletic Conference. A three-year starter, Merritt has averaged over 25 minutes per game. Last year, he was 12th in the conference in points per game with 12.8, and third in the NCAC with 4.2 assists per game. He was the seventh player in Oberlin history with over 100 assists in a single season. Sophomore Geoff Simpson averaged over 25 minutes per game as a freshman. He was fourth on the team with 7.8 points per game, and shot .805 from the free throw line, which was fourth in the NCAC.
Frontcourt: Junior Andrew Fox is a triple threat player, who can play down low, is able to step back and shoot from outside, and has the ability to drive. Fox comes off a stellar sophomore season that was cut short by four games due to a knee injury. He led the team in several categories including minutes played (32.7) points per game (13.5), rebounds per game (6.1) and steals per game (1.8). Charlie Crawford-Silva emerged as a scoring threat last year. As a sophomore, he averaged 7.6 points per game, and 25.7 minutes per game. He led the team with a .511 shooting percentage.
Outlook: The Yeomen have a good mix between veteran leaders and young playmakers. They will be led by Merritt and Fox, but will need their role players to step up in order to be successful. Freshmen Austin Little and Seth Flatt will be looked upon to develop quickly. Senior Danny Enright and sophomore Trey Levy will also get minutes in the middle, and look to shut down NCAC big men.
Remaining schedule: Wednesday at Case Western Reserve, 8; Dec. 3 at Wittenberg, 3; Dec. 5 Penn State New Kingston, 7:30; Dec. 7 Hiram, 8; Dec. 10 at Alma, 3; Dec. 30 Anderson, 7; Jan. 4 at Denison, 7:30; Jan. 6 Ohio Zanesville, 6:30; Jan. 7 at Wooster, 7:30; Jan. 11 Allegheny, 8; Jan. 14 at Wabash, 1; Jan. 18 Kenyon, 7:30; Jan. 21 at DePauw, 3; Jan 25 Denison, 8; Jan. 28 Wittenberg, 3; Feb. 1 at Allegheny, 8; Feb. 4 Ohio Wesleyan, 3; Feb. 8 at Kenyon, 8; Feb. 11 DePauw, 3; Feb. 15 at Hiram, 8; Feb. 18 Wabash, 1.
-- Compiled by the colleges' sports information departments.