SportsLine.com/Lindy's Basketball
2000 Season Preview
Nov. 6, 2000

The Tulane Green Wave will have almost an entirely new look this season.

Gone are the team's top three scorers, as well as three key backups. Replacements will be needed for the leading rebounder and 3-point shooter. And, in the most obvious change, there will be a new coach.

Perry Clark left Tulane for Miami (Fla.) during the offseason after 11 years with the Green Wave and he did not leave much for new coach Shawn Finney to work with.

Finney, a former assistant to Tubby Smith at Kentucky, inherited a team that has only one returning starter -- erratic point guard Waitari Marsh -- and just three players who averaged more than 10 minutes of playing time last season.

None of that, however, can dampen Finney's enthusiasm at receiving his first head coaching job.

"I've had the opportunity to win conference championships, conference tournament championships and a national championship at Kentucky," Finney said. "I know what it takes to win a national championship, and I feel like we are in a league where we can compete at that highest level. We are going to build a strong program."

Much of the strength this year will be centered around Marsh and senior forward Ledaryl Billingsley, who was the Green Wave's sixth man in every game except one last season.

Predicted finish

American Division 1. DePaul 2. Cincinnati 3. UNC-Charlotte 4. Marquette 5. Saint Louis 6. Louisville National Division 1. Memphis 2. South Florida 3. Southern Miss 4. UAB 5. Houston 6. Tulane

Marsh easily was Tulane's assist leader last season with 132, more than twice as many as any other player. But he also led the Green Wave in turnovers with 123, also more than double any other player.

Tulane's five-player recruiting class was ranked in the Top 50 nationally by several publications.

The top two newcomers are Wayne Tinsley, a 6-5 swingman, and 6-10 center George Brown.

Honors candidates

Senior forward Ledaryl Billingsley is a powerful low-post player who should be better than his numbers indicate. Junior Waitari Marsh could become one of the top point guards in the league if he learns to control himself and cut down on his turnovers.

Keep an eye on

Wayne Tinsley, a 6-5 swingman who could see significant playing time as a freshman.

Key players

(*Returning starter; 1999-2000 avg.)

• PF Ledaryl Billingsley* 6-7, 250, Sr. - Will be the go-to guy this season (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
• PG Waitari Marsh* 6-2, 195, Jr. - Capable of making great plays or committing costly turnovers (8.0 ppg, 4.3.apg)
• SF Linton Johnson 6-8 205 Jr. Played in every game last season (2.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
• SF Wayne Tinsley 6-5, 218, Fr. - Could end up in starting lineup as freshman
• C George Brown 6-10, 235, Fr. - Could play important first-year role

Key losses

• Sterling Davis, PF, 6-7, 240, (13.4 ppg; 4.8 rpg.)
• Dylan Osean, SG, 6-4, 195 (10.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

Lindy's College Basketball Annual is available at newsstands, or can be ordered at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.

Schedule