Florida Atlantic has had only four winning records in 15 seasons on the NCAA Division I level with an upset of North Carolina State back in 1994 and an NCAA tournament berth in 2002 among the program's few highlights.

But the Owls could be on the verge of changing that this season.

Coach Mike Jarvis, who is the school's fourth coach in the last five seasons, has three solid seniors to build around in his first year on the job.

Carlos Monroe, Paul Graham III, and Carderro Nwoji were the top three scorers last season, averaging 15.4, 14.0, and 10.8 points a game, respectively, and Monroe, a candidate for Player of the Year in the Sun Belt, was the top rebounder with just under 10 a game.

"The cupboard was not left bare by any means," Jarvis told the Palm Beach Post. "Those guys can score."

The problem for Jarvis, who was cited by the NCAA for "failure to monitor" the program in the fallout that cost him his job at St. John's six games into the 2003-04 season, is that there is little to build around them with.

He brought in four newcomers after being named in May to take over at FAU, but one has yet to be cleared for eligibility and another is sitting out as a transfer.

Only four other veterans are back. Sophomore guard Xavier Perkins adds scoring punch to the backcourt, but one of the potential returnees, guard Sanchez Hughley, has health issues that could keep him out for the season.

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