Three years after arriving at Rutgers, head coach Gary Waters is finally starting to shape the program in his image. It's an approach, he says, that led to the success he had at Kent State.

Four players from last year's roster with eligibility are gone. Waters was prepared to do additional housecleaning if the other players didn't agree to commit to a new attitude when he met with them individually after the season.

"Things will be different around here," said Waters.

Rutgers was talented enough to be one of just four teams to beat national champion Syracuse (the Orangemen lost twice to UConn) during the regular season a year ago. But internal bickering and selfish play damaged the Knights' season beyond repair, and they were one of just two schools that failed to qualify for the 12-team Big East Tournament.

"Even though this is our third year here, it's like it's our first one again because we're starting over," Waters said.

Waters was so serious about overhauling the program that he told point guard Mike Sherrod, a three-year starter, not to return -- even though the player he planned on replacing Sherrod with, sophomore Calvin Wooten, underwent offseason knee surgery and may not return until the second semester. That means Waters will have to rely heavily on two-year reserve Juel Wiggan and three freshmen at point guard.

"I like the chemistry of this group already," Waters said.

FRONTCOURT

Talented senior forward Herve Lamizana flirted briefly with the idea of declaring for the NBA draft before deciding to return. Long, athletic and an intimidating shot-blocker (83 in 28 games last year), Lamizana will try to finally fulfill his enormous promise. "Herve can be as good as Herve wants to be," Waters said.

Waters plans to shift Lamizana from power to small forward to create matchup problems for opponents. That decision coincides with fifth-year senior Sean Axani's sliding over from center to his more natural power forward spot. Axani considered taking his degree and moving on to the business world before Waters talked him into returning for his fifth season.

Freshman Byron Joynes, a hulking big man who was a high school teammate of Carmelo Anthony's, will be looked upon to fill the void at center.

Frontcourt depth is a problem, but bulked-up sophomore Adrian Hill is penciled in for a more prominent role after showing flashes of promise while averaging 10.3 minutes per game last year.

Junior Ricky Shields and freshman Marquis Webb are swing players who also can handle the small forward slot.

BACKCOURT

Wooten was being groomed to be the starting point guard before suffering an offseason knee injury. Though the surgery was a success, Wooten may not return until January, if at all. Waters could wind up redshirting Wooten if his recovery is slowed.

Shields, a streak scorer and shooter, will handle the off-guard spot, with Webb and Quincy Douby, another freshman, spelling him. Shields, Rutgers' second-leading scorer and the team's best foul shooter (81.1 percent) last year, is being counted on to be the Knights' leader, a role he says he is ready to assume.

Webb, Douby and Antwi Atuahene, who averaged a triple-double (34.5 points, 11.5 assists and 10.0 rebounds) as a prep in Toronto, will all get a crack at point guard. So will Wiggan, a valuable reserve his first two years but an unproven full-time player. Atuahene is the most naturally suited to the position among the freshmen.

"All three of the freshmen can handle the point if they have to," Shields said.

Waters' hope is that they won't have to immediately if Wiggan establishes himself as the starter.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Not only will Rutgers have more size and bulk up front than it has in a while, but the Knights will also field one of their more athletic teams. But will that be enough to offset the concerns at point guard and make Rutgers a postseason team again?

With a healthy Wooten, the Knights had the makings of a dangerous team. Minus a proven point guard and with three freshmen and Wiggan, a career reserve so far, offering the only possible solutions at the position, they suddenly become a mystery team again.

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