Two Freshmen to Start for USD Against Lehigh

During the 1986-87 men’s basketball season, University of San Diego Coach Hank Egan started the same five players in all 30 games. Last season, having lost six seniors (four starters), Egan started 11 different players in USD’s 28 games.

For the 1988-89 season, which begins tonight in the University of New Mexico tournament, Egan probably will use the latter method again.

He has named the starters for tonight’s game against Lehigh but quickly points out that 9, 10 or even more players will play a lot. Such is life for a coach who has two seniors, a junior, five sophomores and six freshmen.

Senior Danny Means (6-feet 2-inches) will be starting his 59th consecutive game. Switched from the point to shooting guard, Means is expected to increase his 12.1-point average of last year. Junior Craig Cottrell (6-5) will start at small forward. Cottrell scored 20 points on 10-of-11 shooting in USD’s 97-90 exhibition loss to Athletes in Action.

Sophomore Keith Colvin (6-8) will be making his sixth start for USD at center. Freshmen Kelvin Woods (6-5, power forward) and Gylan Dottin (6-5, point guard) will play in their first college games.

And what a place to get their feet wet. New Mexico’s University Arena--known as “The Pit”--is one of the more difficult places for visiting teams to play because of the boisterous fans and the noise level.

Pending the outcome of tonight’s games, USD will play either New Mexico or Loyola (Md.) College Sunday.

Lehigh (21-10) played in the NCAA tournament last year, but the Engineers have lost four senior starters, including Daren Queenan (28.5-point average) and Mike Polaha (20.5). The only returning starter is 5-11 junior guard Scott Layer (6.3).