Historically, seniors win championships in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and with a trio of seniors who are three-year letterwinners, second-year Coach Dean Lockwood has a solid nucleus to build this year's squad around.

Shooting guard Brian Vaughn (Saginaw/Buena Vista) could be in line for a strong senior campaign if he can stay healthy. An All-GLIAC defensive honoree, he averaged 11.6 points, but led the team with a .540 field goal percentage, and had highs of 24 points and 11 assists.

"Brian has tremendous mental toughness and is an extremely well-conditioned player," said Lockwood. "We hoping for great leadership from him. He's proven how he battles back from adversity, coming back from three shoulder separations and major surgery last year. He's arguably in the best shape of his life and is on the verge of a great senior year.

"As far as what he does for the team in terms of tangible things, it is everything. Every phase of SVSU basketball, defensively and offensively, he's going to have a hand in it. We're counting on him to be a hard-nosed defender and to establish our fast tempo of play, handle the ball and be a decision-maker.

A healthy and fit Josh Ode (Freeland) is also looking forward to a stellar season for the Cardinals. He started 17 games last year, averaging 8.8 points, led the team with 4.3 rebounds per game, had the fewest turnovers on the squad (21), and moved into second place on the school's career three-point shooting list (134).

"We're looking for him to play the way he has shown in stretches throughout his SVSU career so far," said Lockwood. "He has had flashes of excellence and of being a premier player in this league. He's more of a forward, but he is multidimensional, because you'll see him on the perimeter and in the post. We need him to utilize all his skills. Josh will defend and rebound, but he needs to provide us with offensive consistency night-in and night-out. One of the keys for Josh is developing that sense of ferocity that all great players have. We're looking for a breakthrough year from him and it has nothing to do with numbers, but everything to do with approach and mindset."

Jeff Harris (South Bend, IN/St. Joseph's) has played in 66 games in his career and is expected to make a substantial contribution this season.

"We're expecting so much more from Jeff this year compared to last year," said Lockwood. "He's established tremendous credibility with his teammates and coaches. He really improved himself in his level of conditioning and the things he's able to do physically. He has that level of confidence that you look for in a senior. He knows who he is as a basketball player and he stays within the confines of his game. Jeff is as smart a player as we have in that sense. We're counting on him to play good, quality basketball and expect him to be in the thick of our mix. His contribution will make as big a jump as any player on the team."

Senior guard Rashard Carson (Toledo, OH/Rogers) started 22 games last year and will compete for prominent playing time at both guard positions this year while junior transfer Vernon Malone (Kankakee, IL) looks to strengthen the point guard position.

"With one year under his belt, where he had to fight though some adversity, Rashard is much more prepared and focused on what he needs to do to compete for a championship," said Lockwood. "He is very capable in all phases of the game. He is as versatile a guard as we have. His ability to step it up and answer the bell defensively is a huge key for the success of this basketball team. He comprises our front line of defense and his level of play and approach to that will determine a big part of our success. We need him to lead by example in day-to-day practices and in game competition."

Lockwood coached teams are known for their tenacity and intensity and are regularly among the best-conditioned squads in the league.

Sophomore wing Terrence Wright (Saginaw/Buena Vista) and junior forward Richard Rashad (Inkster/Wayne Memorial)are talented returnees who should be bigger factors this season. Wright played in all 27 games, averaging 5.2 points, and had high games of 18 points and eight rebounds.

The front line will be bolstered by the addition of a pair of 6-9 transfers. Junior Federico Carlotta (Buenos Aires, Argentina)and 26-year-old Greg Mallek (Merrill) give the Cardinals much-needed size and experience.

"Greg is a senior with quality experience," said Lockwood. "He's a proven Division II player and someone in the post that we're going to count on for output and production, as far as new players go. He's certainly going to have a lot to do with the success of this basketball team. Greg can be a force for this team in interior defense and offense and we're going to count on him to do so. His commitment to the team and completely be a part of this team is one of his best attributes. He has very good savvy and understanding of the game."

Sophomore guard Scott Lewis (Grand Ledge) won SVSU's "Thoroughbred" award last season and will add depth to the Cardinal perimeter.

Junior Sean Stewart (Tyler, TX/John Tyler), a transfer from Southern University at Shreveport, should compete for significant time at the wing.

An improved Carlos Ramirez (Alma), a sophomore guard, will add depth to the roster, along with freshmen Jimmie Kilgore (Grand Rapids/Union), Cameron Nichols (Detroit/Cass Tech) and Ryan Reiter (Elk Rapids).

Freshman guard Jason McGowan (Detroit/Cooley) will be red-shirted this season.

"We want to be very, very unselfish and create a team culture of unselfish players who are tremendously devoted to the game and are team and success oriented," said Lockwood.

"The one overriding factor we will strive for is a work ethic that is second to none. We want to establish an ethic that is passed along with continuity from player to player.

"The most important thing to me and to our program, more important than success and winning games, is unity of purpose. We define that as being a totally together team on the floor and a group of caring, committed men of integrity off the floor. If we can achieve those two things, winning, graduation rates and all those types of things will be by-products of that philosophy.

"If I've enjoyed any success in this great game, it's been attributable to those characteristics and qualities. In some way shape and form those things have been a part of me at every stop."

SVSU is the only GLIAC team to compete in the last four league post-season tournaments and second-year coach Dean Lockwood expects team chemistry to be a big factor in rebounding from last year's 12-15 finish.