LOCK HAVEN - John Wilson, Jr. admits he sounds like a politician running for some type of high-ranking office.

"You know, the guy promising the tax break but never following up when he gets into office," the veteran Lock Haven men's basketball head coach said. "But this year, I'm going to keep to my word."

It's not tax breaks, but defensive intensity that he's running his campaign platform on.

Wilson took it right to the first day of practice where the first drill the Bald Eagles did had to do with ball pressure and defensive zones.

"This year, we are making much more of an effort on defense, and it's starting to pay off," he said. "Everything is starting to fall into place. This year's team, unlike teams in the past, has bought into the defensive side of the ball and rebounding - which are two things we have lacked in the last couple of years. We really made a focus on improving that part of the game. I believe, from a playing standpoint, that this group is much further ahead. We are doing a lot more early compared to some of our recent teams."

For the Bald Eagles to improve on their 2-24 record from 2007-2008, it's going to start on the defensive side of the ball.

Last season, opponents shot nearly 50 percent from the field, racking up almost 2,000 points throughout the duration of the year.

Rebounding was another issue as opponents grabbed seven more a game than LHU.

"This group has already come together, and I think they are only going to get better," Wilson said. "They are way ahead of recent teams in terms of playing and the camaraderie."

There are several new faces on the Bald Eagle roster this season.

But it all starts with senior Billy Arre.

The preseason Division II All-American candidate is only 102 points away from the school's all-time career scoring record, and he's already reached the 1,000-point mark.

He averaged close to 38 minutes last season and scored 21 points each night, while grabbing a team-high 135 rebounds.

Arre, the Pittsburgh native, was the leading scorer in all but four games in 07-08, and scored a season-high 30 against West Liberty State.

"Billy is going to be key, and he'll have some help this year," Wilson said.

That help comes in the form of some returnees, plus key newcomers.

At point guard, the duties will fall into the hands of red-shirt sophomore Tyrone Palmer and red-shirt freshman Andres Carpio. Although both are expected to see time this season because of their ability to handle the rock, Wilson said each one still needs time to grow and mature on the court.

Besides Arre on the wing, expect senior Kelvin McLean and sophomore Eli Hanna to get plenty of time.

"Kelvin McLean had a good preseason, shooting the ball and making good decisions. Plus, he's a pretty good defender," Wilson said. "Eli Hanna is shooting the ball well, and he's gotten a lot stronger, which leads to more confidence. When he's getting his opportunity to shoot, he's not passing those changes up. David Blackwell is a scorer and can create his own jump shot. Jarrell Spence has started to make better decisions, and he's starting to play with more control. Guard-wise, I think we are in pretty good shape. We just have to mature a little bit, especially in the point-guard spot."

The forwards and big men is where the new faces pop up.

Andrija Topic, Warren Christian and Eric Brennan are all going to be counted on.

Topic is a 6-foot-11 transfer from Delaware State, while Christian is a junior-college transfer with an athletic, 6-foot-7 wingspan.

The third, Brennan, is a true freshman from West Catholic that's been working and training with Arre.

"Eric Brennan is going to make an immediate impact," Wilson said. "He has one of the highest basketball IQs that I've seen. He's got pretty good size at 6-foot-6, and he's worked extremely hard in the preseason. Billy put him through a tough preseason, and he's gotten stronger. He's a confident kid that can score around the basket and rebound well. You are going to see some big things from him in his Lock Haven career.

"Andrija Topic is a physical, aggressive player. He can make shots from the 15-foot range, and he's a great passer. His presence in the paint is going to make such a difference in our post defense. And Warren Christian is a very athletic, energentic type of player. He can make plays around the basket, and will be key in helping out with those rebounds."

It's no secret Wilson tries to schedule a difficult non-conference schedule to prepare for the PSAC West.

This season will be no different.

The Bald Eagles open up play on Saturday at nationally-ranked C.W. Post. In addition to challenges against PSAC East teams like Shippensburg, West Chester and Kutztown, LHU will also play against Wilmington College, Youngstown State and a challenging Thanksgiving Tournament in Charleston with the host institution and Armstrong Atlantic.

The West, in itself, is going to be brutal. Besides normal challengers California and Edinboro, Gannon comes into the mix. The Knights are ranked No. 3 in the country to begin the season.

The conference slate doesn't begin until January.

Right now, the focus is on C.W. Post.

"C.W. Post is going to be a tough way to open, and the guys will know where we stand and how much our preseason has helped us," Wilson said. "Two days later, we go to Shippensburg. We will see where we are at and what adjustments need to be made."

Lock Haven opens the home season on Nov. 25 against Wilmington College. It's the second half of a men's/women's doubleheader as the women host Penn State-Allegheny on the same night.

Courtesy of Tom Fox, The Express (Lock Haven, Pa.) Sports Editor