LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Head coach John Wilson Jr. and his Lock Haven University men's basketball team are set for the 2010-11 season and waste little time in hitting the hardwood as Bald Eagles host Mansfield University tomorrow (Friday, November 12) night.

Tomorrow's game is set for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

The Bald Eagles lone starter retuning is a special one as local-product Eli Hanna (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) returns for his senior year. Hanna, who is always a three-point threat started 24 games a year ago and averaged 6.5 points-per-game.

He will lead a very young and inexperienced team this season.

Senior Sharif Bolton (Philadelphia/Franklin Learning Center) started six of the last games last year and netted 9.5 points a game in those contests.

*Full Season Preview, courtesy of Tom Fox, Sports Editor – The Express, Lock Haven, Pa.

John Wilson, Jr. didn't go much into the X's and O's when he talked about the upcoming season.

Instead, the Lock Haven University men's basketball head coach stressed opportunity.

It's no secret when you look at the 2010-11 roster.

There are 10 names that weren't there last season. A familiar face, all-conference selection Eric Brennan, transferred to Kutztown University where he was selected as a preseason member of the All-PSAC East team.

Also departed is Warren Christian, who graduated last year.

Two huge shoes to fill.

Two large hurdles to overcome.

"It's always difficult to replace someone that was as good a leader like Warren was," Wilson said. "You hope that guys that have been in the program pick up on things that he did. Warren was special. We have a good group of guys that are committed to the program and understand the situation we are in.

"This is a bit of a different year with the loss of Eric and Warren. We have some holes to fill. Eli (Hanna) is really the only returner back that played significant minutes for us last season. There are several new kids on the team that were students that came to walk-on try-outs and were impressive. We don't know how some of these guys will react. But we'll find out pretty quickly."

While players like Hanna, Sharif Bolton and David Blackwell return, it's a meet-and-greet with the new faces.

There's a talented freshman in Anthony Baker. There's some local flavor with Central Mountain graduate Tony Corl, and Jersey Shore graduate Josh Eichenlaub. There's even a touch of the Mountain League as former Central Martinsburg standout Jace Keller is listed on the roster.

It's about an opportunity, according to Wilson.

For some, it's about making a life-long dream of playing collegiate basketball come true.

"Most of these guys haven't been in the program," Wilson said. "A lot of them were just students coming to the games, supporting the guys in that capacity. Now, they have a chance to realize a dream. I think the guys understand there is a big difference when you are under more of a microscope when you are expected to meet certain goals on the basketball floor. When you are playing pickup at the recreation center, there is no one standing over you, telling you to get in the weak-side help position or step in to take a charge.

"We are making the best of the situation. I just enjoy being around the guys, and I appreciate the effort they have put in. Their attitude is good. They look at it as they have an opportunity to play college basketball at Lock Haven. Some probably thought that their basketball career was over. Now, here they are at Lock Haven. Some of these kids are taking advantage of it."

In the early season, expect Hanna, Bolton and Blackwell to step up.

Hanna, a senior from Central Mountain, is the top returning scorer from last year's team which finished 6-19 overall and 3-11 in the PSAC West. He averaged more than six points each night, averaging close to 30 minutes and starting in 21 of the 24 games. The guard is a nice shooter from trifecta land - more than 32 percent - and has been known to have a good touch from the foul line.

"Eli is very committed - from the very moment he stepped foot on this campus," Wilson said. "He's worked hard on his quickness, and he's developed a lot of confidence. He's known as a shooter, but he can put the ball on the floor and create some opportunities. His leadership comes in that he can let everyone know what to expect, and give them a scouting report on me even. He can tell the guys what I expect, and what I expect when they step on the floor."

Bolton and Blackwell, both seniors, combined to play in 32 games last season, each averaging less than six points a night. Bolton started in six games, while Blackwell came off the bench in his 15 appearances.

"Sharif will need to lead, and I expect that he will," Wilson said.

"He's a strong offensive player. I'm going to look to him as a leader by example. David will have an increased role, playing the point and two-guard. He's an explosive player, and he's worked hard on the defensive end of the court. He stepped up in key moments last year, and we'll need that again from him."

The only other player to appear in a game last season was Armandi Marshall, who got one start and played around 13 minutes per night.

"I just want them to learn and to get better," Wilson said. "I expect they will play hard. I expect that they will be committed. We need to stay patient and learn as the season goes. I believe we will be much better in January and February compared to November and December."

The schedule is daunting.

In addition with PSAC East crossovers, the Bald Eagles play non-mandated games with East Stroudsburg and Millersville in addition to a contest at nationally-ranked West Liberty.

That's not counting a difficult season-opener home against Mansfield Friday.

"Mansfield will be exciting because it is a local rival. We'll find out a lot about ourselves in just three days," the head coach said.

"West Liberty is ranked in the top 15 in many of the Division II polls. They have most of their kids back. They play a different style. They look to score points and keep a fast-break game."