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Monday, July 30
Updated: July 31, 3:50 PM ET
Team preview: Tulane Green Wave
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 9-21; 2-14 in C-USA (6th in National)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: None.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. How does the Green Wave replace LeDaryl Billingsley's production? Who will become the go-to player for them?
2. Can a perimeter-oriented lineup carry the Green Wave? Can Brandon Spann be a leader at the point and dictate tempo?
3. Who will score inside for the Green Wave? What kind of impact will the newcomers have for them?
Three Key Facts
1. Tulane played last season with just seven scholarship players. This season, it'll use its full 13 scholarships. In addition to the newcomers, Waitari Marsh and Nick Sinville rejoin the Green Wave after red-shirting last season. Marsh started all 29 games two seasons ago, but sat out due to academic woes last year. Sinville transferred in from Minnesota last season.
2. The Green Wave will be a young team with its lone senior being Linton Johnson (13.1 ppg). A versatile inside-out threat, Johnson led Tulane in 3-pointers and dunks last season, while also ranking among C-USA's leaders in blocked shots.
3. The Green Wave won't suffer in RPI points due to its non-conference schedule. Tulane plays Kentucky, Florida, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt outside C-USA.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Tulane is competitive and finishes out of last in their division and mounts a decent campaign for an NIT berth.
Worst case: They can't handle the size and strength with the power schools in the conference and struggle to get to .500.
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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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Brandon Spann
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Jr.
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G
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6-1/185
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PTS: 15.9 | REB: 2.6 | AST: 4.8
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Linton Johnson
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Sr.
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F
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6-8/205
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PTS: 13.1 | REB: 8.1 | AST: 2.4
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Brandon Brown
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Jr.
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F
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6-8/230
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PTS: 11.7 | REB: 6.6 | AST: 1.6
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Wayne Tinsey
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So.
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G/F
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6-5/218
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PTS: 7.7 | REB: 3.6 | AST: 2.2
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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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Ladaryl Billingsley
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PTS: 18.1 | REB: 8.9 | AST: 1.4
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Tulane 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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Ben Benfield
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G
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6-4
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River Ridge, La./John Curtis Christian
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Karl Hollingsworth
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G/F
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6-5
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Jonesboro, Ga./Mt. Zion
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Ben Bowling
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F
G
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6-3
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Hazard, Ky./Westminster Academy (Fla.)
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Marcus Kinzer
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G
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5-11
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Nashville, Tenn./Solebury Prep
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Byron Parker
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F
G
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6-2
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Stone Mountain, Ga./Tyler (Texas) JC
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