Coach Glen Miller has yet to announce who will be on the floor at tip-off against the University of Texas at El Paso on Nov. 10.
"I'm not one to label a starting team too early," Miller said. "There's still a lot of work to be done; we're still implementing the system and making progress there. It's not the time yet, it'll take some time."
However, established players and returning starters include senior guard Ibrahim Jaaber and senior forwards Mark Zoller and Steve Danley.
Miller did note, though, that junior guard Brian Grandieri and sophomore forward Brennan Votel have been doing good things in practice.
Prior to his injury, junior guard Mike Kach was in position to take one of the vacant guard spots left by the academically ineligible David Whitehurst and the graduated Eric Osmundson.
The team captains have yet to be revealed, as well.
"We will [announce captains] in the near future - by the end of the week or, by the latest, Monday," Miller said.
Kach-ing up
Kach was set to make a comeback this season after leaving the team midway through his freshman year due to personal reasons.
However, the junior discovered a hairline fracture in his left ankle and underwent surgery Oct. 6 to put screws in place.
Miller said the recovery time was estimated at five to eight weeks, but added that Kach has been coming to practice every day, making good progress and appears to be recovering ahead of schedule.
Kach, who hasn't been in pain since a few days after the surgery, isn't experiencing any complications and is eager to resume regular workouts with the team.
"Hopefully by the end of this week I can stay off of that big boot," said Kach, motioning to his removable cast. And after that, he'll be able to "start walking regularly, shooting around and start practicing."
Kach averaged 13.2 minutes per game during the six games he played his freshman year and also averaged 3.7 points per game and one rebound in those contests.
The learning curve
With a scrimmage at Lafayette on Saturday and the first game almost a week away, Quakers fans have to wonder what the team will look like when it meets its first challenge in No. 20 Syracuse.
No team is at its top form at the beginning of the season. But the Quakers - whose offense under departed coach Fran Dunphy consisted of moving the ball around the perimeter until an opening appeared - must now adjust to Miller's up-tempo style of play.
Miller recognizes this, and is planning to give his team the time it needs to make the adjustments.
"We're trying to make sure that we only implement as much as we need to to be effective in the games, Miller said.
And his emphasis is on quality over quantity.
"We don't want to put in too much and do everything average," Miller said. "We want to be good at only a few things, at least to start the season."
