The 2013-14 Averett men's basketball team may be the youngest squad coach Matt Parke has had in four seasons. Yet, it may be his best. It all depends on how fast this team full of sophomores and freshmen can learn on the fly.

Averett lost three of its top four scorers from last season, including two of the program's top 10 career rebounders. That leaves huge shoes to fill, but the Cougars believe they have the potential to make up for those departures. It started last season when then-senior Marquis Scott went down with an injury early once conference play began. That slot in the lineup allowed several then-freshmen to gain valuable experience. Now that group is sophomores. Pair them with several upperclassmen and a talented recruiting class and it may be a recipe for success.

"We're going to be a young team that is still building on trying to be good, but I'm encouraged by our sophomore and freshmen class," said Parke, whose team opens the season Nov. 20 at Guilford College. "They're talented and I'm hoping they can help us this year instead of waiting down the road."

Click here to view the 2013-14 Averett men's basketball media guide.

After finishing 9-17 (4-10 USA South) last season, Averett was voted seventh in this year's USA South Conference preseason coaches poll. Parke isn't too worried about where the Cougars are projected to finish. He wants his team focused on one goal. If the Cougars can achieve it, the rest will shake itself out in the end.

"When you have a young team, your goal is to be better tomorrow than you were today," Parke said. "I know it sounds cliché when you have a lot of young players. We got picked seventh, so we're not where we want to be. There's still a lot of work to go. I don't think we're No. 1 in the league, but I hope and think we aren't in the bottom of the league either. We have talent; we just need to work hard to make it blossom and grow."

Here is a breakdown of the team by position:

Guards
Key Returners: Melvin Garrison, Trevor West, Bradley Robinson, JaColby Hawkins, Davis Absher.
Key Losses: Justin Pierce, Sunil Ram, Shannon Redd.

Averett lost several starters in the backcourt including USA South All-Conference First Team performer Justin Pierce, who was one of the nation's leading scorers last season as a senior. Averett will rely heavily on sophomores Trevor West, Bradley Robinson, JaColby Hawkins and Davis Absher, who all started at some point as freshmen. Robinson is the team's leading returning scorer at 10.0 points per game, while West added 5.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

The Cougars also expect senior Melvin Garrison, one of the team's captains and hardest workers, to have an expanded role this season. The Cougars also return junior Alex Lopez and sophomore Devontae Pannell, who can each give the team a lift off the bench.

Parke added several recruits at the guard spot, including freshman Charles Bryant and junior transfer Cody Stephens.

"I think both those guys have a chance to help us at the guard position," Parke said.

Additionally, Averett has freshman Aaron Westhusing to add depth in the backcourt.


Forwards/Centers
Key Returners: Paul Porter, Carter Jones.
Key Losses: Marquis Scott, Nick Ford.

Averett returns senior Paul Porter, one of the team's captains, to help anchor its post game. Porter is capable of dominating the boards, defending the rim and chipping in with scoring. Porter ranks fifth on Averett's all-time rebounding list, holds the team's career record for offensive rebounds and shares the record for offensive rebounds in a single game.

"Paul is kind of a rock for us," Parke said. "He may not score 30 points a game, but he can get a double-double every night. He's one of those guys that we just trust with everything — being able rebound, play defense, communicate and make free throws. He's proven himself over the past three years."

The Cougars also return sophomore Carter Jones, who earned valuable time as a freshmen last season, and junior forward Darnell Collins, who joined the team in the spring after previously attending Averett before a stint in the military. Parke added freshmen forwards Jalen Carter and Jordan Johnson and center Seth Carden to add depth.

"I think this is the best group of post players that we've had since I've been here," Parke said. "We have five good post players, all with different abilities and different strengths."