New cast at Barton begins title defense

Injuries afflict D-II basketball champs

Last season, Anthony Atkinson led a senior-heavy Barton College team to a NCAA Division II championship, defeating Winona State on a buzzer-beating layup following a fantastic 31-5 season.

That was last season. This is now.

The Barton College Bulldogs begin practice today with an already banged-up roster, three returning starters and a new cast looking to rebuild.

Defending a title is always hard.

With injuries ranging from slight to serious already affecting his team just days before the start of practice, Barton College coach Ron Lievense sat in his Wilson office explaining what this year's Bulldogs will look like. Then, more unwelcome news -- incoming freshman guard Mike Flowers will be sidelined with a foot injury.

"My expectation is to develop the chemistry of this team," Lievense said. "We have so many new players and so much youth, and when you lose a player like Anthony -- right now I'm just trying to get this team tougher and more focused. The problem is that the expectations are so high on these guys and right now, we're not even close to being that level of a program, especially with the injuries. I'm just trying to get these guys to believe in themselves."

The Bulldogs say it will take time for the injuries to heal and their new team to mesh. Lievense said that he is thrilled with his recruiting class, including Flowers (Denmark) and Mihai Petcu (Romania).

Lievense said last season's championship effort helped Barton's recruiting, but it did not make the Bulldogs a superpower.

"We finished our recruiting earlier than we ever have as far as a timeline. But did we get everyone we wanted? No. Did we lose people to Division I? Yes. I love the guys we've brought in," Lievense said. "How good are they? I'll have to tell you Monday after practice."

He said the departure of Atkinson, who has since joined the Harlem Globetrotters, injuries and a change in leadership have the Bulldogs looking for a new identity as much as trying to defend their championship.

One leader Lievense and the Bulldogs will count on is center Brian Leggett, an imposing 6-foot-6 junior who dunked on several opponents last season. Leggett doesn't think dunking and scoring will be their trademarks, however.

"I think we'll be more defensive-oriented this season. We have a lot of changes; only the coaching staff is the same," said Leggett, noting the team's four newcomers. "But I'm not so worried about the injuries ... I just think we need to come together and learn to be a team."

Leggett said he is learning how to be a leader, and that is important for the Bulldogs this season.

"I still see Anthony around [Wilson]. He's great to talk to," Leggett said.

"I'm not worried about this season at all, it's just another challenge."