GENEVA, N.Y.—The pieces are in place. Five starters returning, a solid corps of reserves capable of challenging the starters, and a talented and eager recruiting class.

2010-11 Liberty League Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.	Hobart	47 (5)
2.	St. Lawrence	42 (3)
3.	Skidmore	34
4.	Hamilton	32
5.	Union	28
6.	Rensselaer	21
7.	Clarkson	13
8.	Vassar	7
First-place votes in parentheses

Following a 17-11 season that saw the Statesmen reach the Liberty League Championship game and earn a berth in the ECAC Upstate Tournament, the pieces are in place for the Hobart basketball team to make a run at the Liberty League Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The conference coaches recognized as much when they picked the Statesmen to wear the 2010-11 crown when all is said and done.

There's just the little matter of a 25-game schedule. Fifth-year Head Coach Izzi Metz '98 is quick to remind his players that none of their opponents will simply hand them a victory because they were chosen first in a preseason poll. No, the Statesmen will have to improve on their frenetic defense that set a school record with 271 steals last year, and build on 2009-10's offensive success that included a season record 201 three-pointers.

The frontcourt will be led by junior forward Matt Pebole. A unanimous first team All-Liberty League pick and a second team NABC All-East selection, he led the conference in scoring (18.9 ppg) and ranked third in field goal percentage (.537), sixth in free throw percentage (.805) and seventh in rebounding (6.5 rpg).

Senior Adam Salzmann will line up at power forward. Despite nagging injuries that have plagued him throughout his career, he has averaged 6.9 points and 6.5 rebounds. A staunch defender, Salzmann also has 41 career blocked shots.

Seniors Michael Barlow and Ryan Young, juniors Marc Bertucci and Josh Kalenderian, and sophomore Sean Peer give the unit depth. Barlow (3.1 ppg) and Young (1.6 ppg) are strong leaders on and off the floor. Bertucci (2.3 ppg) and Kalenderian (2.6 ppg) are big bodies in the middle, who've steadily grown their influence over the past two seasons. Peer played in every game last year averaging 16.5 minutes, 3.0 points, and 4.3 rebounds.

First-years Richie Bonney and Conner Vandegriff will beef up Hobart's presence in the paint. Bonney averaged a double-double (18-12) as a senior, while Vadegriff was nearly as impressive (13-9).

In the backcourt, seniors Tim Llewellyn and Mark Bruce and sophomore Stefan Thompson give Hobart one of the best guard combos in the region.

A two-time All-Liberty League selection, Llewellyn holds the Statesmen game (11 vs. Clarkson, Feb. 14, 2009), season (79 in 2009-10) and career (213) steals records. He's averaged at least 10.1 ppg in each of his first three seasons and is within striking distance of 1,000 points for his career.

Bruce will serve as team captain for the second year in a row. He's an all-around player capable of making a key play on either end of the floor. Bruce netted a career-high 24 points in a key late season win over Rensselaer.

Thompson made a seamless transition from high school to college, producing 15.0 points, 3.3 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals as a first-year. He erupted for a season-high 29 points against Buffalo State and notched double-doubles against Hamilton (10 pts, 12 assts) and St. Lawrence (22, 10). Thompson's efforts were recognized with the D3hoops.com East Region and Liberty League rookie of the year awards.

Sophomore Rezin Davis and junior Greg Stern were Hobart's top options off the bench last season. Davis is a slasher, who averaged 6.7 points, while Stern is more of a spot up shooter, who added 4.6 points. Senior Brian Burbank is an aggressive defender and a relentless rebounder, and classmate Brad Tramontozzi and his three-point shooting (.394 career 3FG%) return to the lineup after studying abroad last semester.

First-years Blair Helton and Trevor Short were both dynamic scorers in high school capable of contributing to the Statesmen's quest for a conference crown.

Hobart will open the 2010-11 season at home against Cazenovia at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 15. In fact, three of the team's first four games will be in the friendly confines of Bristol Gym, before returning to the field of the nation's oldest tournament, the Wendy's Classic.

After a trip to Rochester, the Statesmen will head to Los Angeles to play in the California Lutheran Tournament with Gettysburg and Illinois Wesleyan. Hobart begins 2011 at home against Potsdam before diving into the challenging Liberty League slate.