March 7, 2005

Charleston, SC - The facts of The Citadel's basketball season are strange indeed. The Bulldogs doubled their win total from last year, but still suffered their third straight losing season. The Citadel won twice as many Southern Conference games as in 2003-04, but still finished last in the SoCon South Division.

And the Bulldogs won 12 of their first 17 games, only to lose their last 11 in a row.

"A crazy season," coach Pat Dennis said after the Bulldogs lost in the first round of the SoCon Tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn.

But the season's split personality didn't shake Dennis' belief that The Citadel has "closed the talent gap" in the SoCon, and has better days ahead with all but one senior, reserve guard Kedron Young, slated to return.

"We doubled our wins, but it would have been better if we had won two, lost one, won one, lost two down the stretch instead of a big losing streak," Dennis said. "But I think we have a chance to be very good next year. But we've got to get better in the offseason. "I know every coach says that, but it's very important for our players to improve in the offseason."

Dennis said his No. 1 recruiting priority is a point guard to help over-taxed junior Kevin Hammack. The loss of freshman guard Anthony Miller midway through the 2003-04 season showed up big down the stretch as The Citadel struggled to hold on to leads.

After Hammack injured his ankle in the first half of The Citadel's tournament loss to Appalachian State, the Bulldogs committed 13 turnovers in the second half.

"We can sign one player right now, and it's definitely a point guard," Dennis said. "The game against App State was a perfect example of why we need another point guard."

Dennis also expects improvement from the McLendon brothers, guard Donny and forward Warren, the runner-up for SoCon freshman of the year. Donny, who scored 30 points in the tournament loss to App State, must rein in his tendency to fire at will. Warren, 6-5 and 254 pounds, must learn to stay out of foul trouble. He fouled out eight times this season, and The Citadel lost every time.

"The big thing for Warren is to understand he's a big guy and he's going to get hit in there," Dennis said. "But as the year went on, he got better and learned how to play pretty hard. He can be a dominant player if he learns how to play really hard."

Another freshman, 6-6 Demetrius Nelson, played his best game thus far in the tournament. Sophomore J'mel Everhart started the season well, but seemed to fade down the stretch during his annual struggle with weight loss.

Dennis has one year left on his contract, and could face an awkward situation if he does not receive an extension before next season. He plans to meet with athletic director Les Robinson in the next couple of weeks.

"I feel good about it," Dennis said. "I think this team can get a lot better in a year."