2006-07 RECORD: 12-20, 4-12, 12TH PLACE IN ACC - COACH: FRANK HAITH (FOURTH SEASON, 46-49 AT MIAMI)

PLUS

* The Hurricanes were picked by the media to repeat last season's last-place finish. There's motivation right there (See 2006-07 N.C. State), and the truth is, like NCSU a season ago, Miami doesn't have last-place talent. With bigs Anthony King, who got a medical redshirt from the NCAA, Dwayne Collins and Jimmy Graham -- one of the five best players at the ACC Tournament -- Miami can bang with the best in the ACC.

* With King, Collins and Graham back, junior Brian Asbury can return to his natural position at small forward. Asbury, who's a slight 6 feet 7 and 215 pounds, had to play power forward much of last season.

MINUS

* After suspending point guard Denis Clemente twice last season, coach Frank Haith finally jettisoned him. (Clemente found a safety net at Kansas State.) This essentially would have been Clemente's third season as the starting point guard.

* Beyond Jack McClinton, there isn't one player you'd risk the mortgage on to make an open jump shot.

BEST-CASE SCENARIO

If juco transfer Lance Hurdle and freshman Edwin Rios provide solid point play, the schedule is there for Miami to win seven ACC games and 20 overall. They don't play at UNC or Virginia -- the toughest ACC homecourts last season.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO

If McClinton has to hold Rios' hand, King breaks down again and the general apathy of the fan base bleeds into the players, Haith is staring at another four-and-12 win combo and the early "hot seat watch" for 2008-09.

REALISTIC SCENARIO

Disrespect is a powerful ally to a coach. Haith should be able to circle the wagons. That would bring five or six ACC wins and 17 overall to get to the NIT and build for 2009.

Two guesses, and you won't need the second: point guard.

WHO WILL FILL IT

Freshman Eddie Rios has been a high school hero in the Miami area for the past four years. He'll eventually be the guy, but junior college guard Lance Hurdle has impressed Frank Haith with his steadiness and ability to manage the team.

FANTASY LEAGUE PICK

Once upon a time, Haith recruited T.J. Ford to Texas. There aren't many point guards with that kind of speed, but North Carolina's Ty Lawson certainly would be in the ballpark.