The men’s basketball team ended its season last Tuesday with a loss to Austin Peay, but it is never too early to start thinking about next season.

Eastern will return 12 out of 13 players, including their top four scorers from this season.

The Panthers had eight new players this year, but were still able to improve their overall win total from a year earlier (12-18) as well as their conference win total (eight).

The eight new players will have a year of experience under them, as this was their first taste of Division I basketball.

The lone recruit joining the club next season will be Shaun Pratl, the 6-foot-7 forward from Oak Lawn Richards. Pratl has shown he can play on the big stage as he led his high school to an Illinois High School Association Class 4A State Championship last season.

Pratl should make an immediate difference with the Panthers and may even have an opportunity to start because the only starter leaving is senior forward Billy Parrish.

Junior guard Romain Martin surpassed the 1,000-point mark this season, and will return to anchor the Panthers backcourt next season. Martin averaged 15.4 points per game this season and was one of the most consistent players on the roster.

Martin was a Second-Team All-OVC performer as well.

One of the biggest improvements this year was the play of junior center Ousmane Cisse. Cisse dominated at certain points of the season and was a constant threat each game for a double-double. With the addition of Pratl, who has shown in high school he is well equipped to play the post, it will be hard for teams to double-team either player.

Sophomore guard Tyler Laser played well for the Panthers this year and he and Martin were two of the best three point shooters in the Ohio Valley Conference. Laser averaged 11.4 points per game and was tied for sixth in the conference in 3-point percentage. He also had a stretch of 45 straight-made free throws, which was the second most in conference history.

Junior guard T.J. Marion made an impact for the Panthers, earning a spot in the starting lineup early in the season. He was named to OVC All-Newcomer Team and should improve with a year of Division I play under his belt.

Freshman guard Jeremy Granger played well for the Panthers off the bench as the season went on, as his quickness made it hard for defenders to match-up.

Only time will tell whether the Panthers will take a step to the next level next season, but at least on paper, things are looking good.

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at [email protected].