Opening tip '09-10: No. 2 Cape Breton Capers

• Top 100 returnees: G Scott Jaspers-Fayer (11th), F Phil Nkrumah (20th)
  
• Other key returnees: G Tremaine Fraser, G Ryan Roper, G Chris Noddle, F Lasario Burrows, G Mark McGarrigle
  
• Newcomers: G Paris Carter, G Jimmy Dorsey (juco transfer), F Cameron-John Procter (juco transfer)
• Coach: Jim Charters (eighth season)
  
• Offence and defence: 99, 86 (+13)
  
• Last year's results: 18-8 overall, lost one-pointer to Dalhousie in AUS Final 6 semi-final, 11th in RPI
  
• Looking ahead: CBU was probably one of the most intriguing teams of last season, as in how did it not get to the Final 8? They led the AUS in FG% defence and rebounding margin. On the offensive end, they're returning almost everyone (93% of scoring), so the potential is there for Charters to finally take a team to nationals. Carter, although he's currently waiting for a broken hand to heal, could also be a game-changer, especially if Fraser becomes a running mate in the backcourt. Their Achilles heel last season was free-throw shooting (61.7%). If that can improve marginally, they might be sittin' prettier than Chief Wiggum after a breakfast of engine-block eggs.
  
  In other words, Cape Breton should ride that rebounding, defence and athleticism deep into the post-season. Its big court leader is Nkrumah, who's listed at only 6-foot-4 but makes everyone else on his team seem two inches taller. The Capers are probably a legit 10-deep team (which seems to be fast becoming a prerequisite with the FIBA rules; it makes iron-man types who can play 38-40 minutes a game all the more impressive).
  

Rob's explanation of Top 100 players by Player Efficiency Ratings (see last year's PER) and Net Efficiency may be found in the women's preview.