Mike Jarvis is a big, boisterous and generally easygoing man.

But he's not one who takes his criticism coated in sugar.

So bring up Florida Atlantic's 2008-09 season -- his first with his Owls, a 6-26 effort -- if you would like. Just don't ask him delicately.

Did you expect to take some lumps last season?

``I expected to get pounded, and I got pounded,'' Jarvis said. ``Lumps would be a very, very gracious way to comment about last year.

``When you win six games, it's bumps, it's mountains falling on your head, it's everything. We knew it was going to be a long season, but we didn't think it would be that long.''

Good news for the Owls: Most of the players set to take the court this winter had nothing to do with the fiasco, which was by far the worst season in Jarvis' 20-year coaching career -- one that included stints at St. John's and George Washington.

Jarvis expects to lean heavily on a highly touted recruiting class, which is led by the diminutive Ray Taylor, an all-state point guard in the mold of former GW standout Shawnta Rogers. Taylor is 5-6 -- a good two inches taller than Rogers, the 1999 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.

Also on campus: Greg Gantt, a standout from Gainesville, and forwards Jordan McCoy and Andre Mattison.

The Owls are not completely bereft of experience, however, as guard Alex Tucker was a regular starter last year, ranking second in the Sun Belt Conference with an average of 4.8 assists a game.

As for last season? It wasn't a complete lost year.

``We were in games with everybody, we didn't have the depth, the talent, needed to compete,'' Jarvis said.

``It was a long year, but a very, very educational experience.

``I think we're going to do something here that's never been done before, and that's have a winning basketball program and not just a winning team.''

SOUTH FLORIDA

The Bulls have yet to find their place in the Big East, going 4-14 in conference play last year, and are expected to finish in the bottom three in 2009-10.

However, they are not without talent -- namely guards Dominique Jones, a member of the Big East's preseason second team, and Chris Howard.

``I think if our record from last season was better, there's no doubt he's a first-team guy,'' said USF coach Stan Heath. ``The coaches in this league know he's a dangerous player you have to respect.''

UCF

The Knights, who went 17-14 (7-9 in conference play) could struggle without Jermaine Taylor, who averaged 26.2 points a game as a senior last season. Isaac Sosa (8.2 ppg) is the top returning scorer.

JACKSONVILLE

Preseason Atlantic Sun Player of the Year Ben Smith (16.9 ppg, 4.0 apg in 2008-09) is the feature player on a talented team that is expected to contend for a conference championship.

FLORIDA A&M

Six returners, three freshmen and two junior college transfers make up a Rattler team looking to improve on last season's 10-21 mark (6-10 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).

BETHUNE-COOKMAN

The Wildcats have been picked to finish fifth in the MEAC in Cliff Reed's eighth full season as coach.