2000-01 record: 22-9; 11-5 in C-USA (1st in National) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None. RETURNING LEADERS Points: Mims 10.0 ppg | Rebounds: Mims 5.4 rpg | Assists: Richardson 2.4 apg | FG %: Myles 47.4% | 3pt %: Mims 40.6% | FT %: Richardson 77.3% 00-01 Stats: Southern Mississippi | C-USA

		Saturday, Nov. 3 Coming off of a really good year, tied for first in the conference, Southern Miss will struggle this year. With Elvin Mims the only returning player in double figures, coach James Green is looking for some scorers in his lineup The Golden Eagles' home court is the toughest place to play in Conference USA. But southern hospitality might be a little bit better this year because I think the Golden Eagles will have a down year.

Outlook
The Golden Eagles might have lost more than anybody other returning member of the league: leading scorer David Wall, leading rebounder Vandarel Jones and leading assist man Mel Cauthen all have moved on -- and then a fourth starter, Kilavorous Thompson, blew a knee over the summer and will miss the season.

That leaves the onus on returnees Elvin Mims (10 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Mario Myles (6.1 ppg) and Brad Richardson (5.1 ppg) -- all guards and small forwards. Richardson should start at point guard, while the other two occupy the wings. The inside dirty work could immediately fall to junior-college transfers, 6-9 Ben Lambert and 6-9 Carey Rigsby.

Looking at that potential lineup, it's a good thing coach James Green makes his living with defense instead of outscoring people.

Southern Miss won 17 games in 1999-2000 and was invited to nothing. Last year, with 22 victories and an 11-5 league record that won their division and tied Cincinnati for the regular-season title, the Eagles could do no better than the NIT. This year you get the feeling the NIT would be a huge achievement for Southern Miss.

What we like: The confidence Green has instilled in this program, despite its low-profile location and profile. Southern Miss ripped off winning streaks of five games three times and six games once, signs that the Eagles believe in the plan their coach has laid down for them.

What we don't like: Who is going to step into key leadership roles on this team? Nobody on the current roster has been called upon to take charge here before, on the floor or in the locker room.

The bottom line: Last year's high-water mark will be almost impossible to approach this time around. But Green is an underrated coach and if his new recruits plug in quickly enough, Southern Miss should at least be capable of winning some that look like losses right now.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Elvin Mims	Sr.	F	6-5/205	PTS: 10.0 | REB: 5.4 | AST: 0.7
Kilavorus Thompson	Sr.	F	6-7/220	PTS: 7.4 | REB: 5.2 | AST: 2.3
Mario Myles	Jr.	G	6-5/190	PTS: 6.1 | REB: 3.9 | AST: 1.6

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
David Wall	F	6-5/225	PTS: 14.0 | REB: 3.2 | AST: 1.2
Vandarel Jones	C	6-9/230	PTS: 12.7 | REB: 7.4 | AST: 0.6

Southern Mississippi Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Jasper Johnson	F	6-7	Hollandale, Miss./Simmons
James Pattman	G	6-1	Lilburn, Ga./Berkman
Carey Rigsby	F C	6-9	Houston/Western Oklahoma JC
Dante Stiggers	G	6-2	Houston/Alief-Hastings
Ben Lambert	C	6-9	Prichard, Ala./Okaloosa, Fla. CC