Expectations were low for the Leopards entering the season, as they have been for the past few years. As the last team in the Patriot League to offer athletic scholarships, the talent level simply hasn't been high enough for the Leopards to compete.

But Lafayette had a nice season, starting out hot and holding down first place for the first half of the season before fading down the stretch. The end result was similar to years past, but the ride was a lot more enjoyable.

Lafayette stuck with coach Fran O'Hanlon's small-ball approach, putting four guards on the floor most times and forcing teams to match up on the perimeter. The Leopards were one of the best shooting teams in the league, and most of their victories came on the strength of their 3-point shooting.

Rebounding was a problem, however. Lafayette couldn't stop opponents from crashing the boards and scoring second and third-chance points. That wore on the team and eventually led to its demise late in the season.

The future is looking better for Lafayette, as guard Andrew Brown will return next season. He was the team's top scorer in 2007-08, and he gives the program a player to build around next season. The recruiting class is also one of the best in recent years, but the team will need a young big man to step up next season and man the middle.

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