La Salle hoping influx of hoops talent pays off

WHEN YOU go 0-6 in the city, have the worst loss in school history, finish last in the Atlantic 10, get your only true road win against Rowan, lose to Philadelphia University in an exhibition game and are 9-22, you need drastic changes. La Salle will start next season with its top six scorers returning and six new players, four transfers and two freshmen recruits. Some of those top six scorers are going to find it harder to get playing time. The changes appear to be, in many cases, upgrades. At least, that is the plan.

"It's been a good offseason for the Explorers,'' coach John Giannini said.

Three of the transfers, B.J. Johnson (Syracuse), Pookie Powell (Memphis) and Demetrius Henry (South Carolina) sat out last season and practiced with the team. The fourth transfer, a familiar name, is Savon Goodman, the one-time Villanova recruit and Constitution High star. Goodman will be immediately eligible as a graduate transfer after playing one season at UNLV and two at Arizona State. Goodman had legal issues in Las Vegas and got suspended four games last season at ASU. But, like the other transfers, he has ability.

Last season, La Salle often had to play its starters 40 minutes or close to that. Depth will no longer be an issue. The Explorers were really small and regularly got crushed on the glass. They will be much bigger. Leading scorer Jordan Price will have help he did not have last season.

Cian Sullivan, a 7-1 center from Ireland by way of prep school, signed in the early period. Saul Phiri, a 6-4 guard born in Zimbabwe and also a prep school player, signed in the late period.

Combine a full roster with the recent addition of assistant coach Matt Brady and Dr. G., who took the blame for last season's roster and record, has the kind of talent that can win in the A-10, if all these new players blend with the old players into a functioning unit.

@DickJerardi