William & Mary men's basketball had a "burn-the-tape" type of season last year.

Years with single-digit wins rarely are encouraging, especially when they're paired with a rough-looking offense and a defense that didn't seem to have its issues straightened out all year. But even after one of their worst seasons in decades, there is some light at the end of the Tribe's tunnel.

Last season's young core had to go through plenty of growing pains, but with a year through the ringer under its belt (and a few experienced transfers who could assist in the rebuild), William & Mary has the personnel to show much improvement.

How much exactly, however? That is to be determined.

What is there to look out for with William & Mary men's basketball this season? 

Below is a look into what the Tribe will bring to the table for the 2022-2023, as FloHoops previews every men's basketball team in the Colonial Athletic Association.

2021 Season Review

It's safe to say William & Mary basketball has seen better days. A 21-win program just two seasons before, plenty of things fell apart for the Tribe, as they slumped to a 5-27 record with a losing streak of 10 games to close out their 2021-2022 season. 

W&M didn't pick up a win over a Division I opponent until after Christmas and had several low moments, such as when it only put up 28 points in an ugly loss to Northeastern in its penultimate regular-season game in February.

The Tribe finished the season as both the CAA's lowest-scoring offense (63.9 points per game) and its second-leakiest defense (74.4 points allowed per game). 

Fourth-year coach Dane Fischer has a lot to juggle and a bit of pressure on him to perform, but at least the future is bright for the Tribe, as they had two players make the All-CAA Rookie Team - guards Julian Lewis and Tyler Rice, the latter of whom returned to the program. 

Sophomore forward Ben Wight also had a nice year, finishing as the league's leader in true shooting percentage, which factors in free throw attempts in its formula, at an impressive 64%. 

William & Mary is stuck in the conference basement for now, and though there are some things to like about the trajectory the program could have going forward, that is where it'll remain until wins come at a more frequent rate.

On The Court

Let's keep it real here. It was very, very difficult to get through most William & Mary games last season. 

The Tribe had a putrid offense that turned the ball over 16.2 times per game (23.1% of possessions), among the most frequently of any team in America, and even when they did get a shot or two away, the team's cumulative field-goal percentage barely eclipsed 40%. 

Not only that, but William & Mary didn't seem to respond well to opposing ball pressure, as according to KenPom metrics, the Tribe had their shots blocked on 14.4% of their attempts and had possession stolen on 12.9% of possessions, both ranks of which were among the bottom three in the entire country. 

Offenses generally had little issue scoring against the W&M defense, as teams shot 55.7% on 2-pointers against them - a very high number that often contributed to the fact that whenever the Tribe got into an early hole, they often stayed there. 

William & Mary only crossed the 80-point barrier in one game against a D-I opponent (and never in non-overtime games), and during its 10-game losing run to close out the season, the Tribe lost by an average of 15.5 points per game. 

The Tribe need help all over the floor and in all positions, but with former CAA Coach of the Year Dane Fischer leading the calls on the sideline, there should be the potential that W&M will be able to sort out its issues from last year.

Key Returner

Ben Wight, F, Jr., Columbus, Ohio

One of just two players to start every game for the Tribe last year (and the only one to return to the program for this season), Wight finished the season as arguably W&M's best player and made his mark as one of the top sophomores in the conference. 

The Tribe's leading scorer (11.6 points per game) and rebounder (5.5) last season, Wight should be penciled in as a key piece of whatever William & Mary does throughout the year. His main running mate in production from a year ago, junior guard and former CAA Rookie of the Year Connor Kochera, transferred to Davidson in the offseason. 

Lanky at 6-foot-9, but an efficient piece around the rim as a 63.5% shooter from inside the 3-point arc, his four double-doubles showed off his potential as a possible breakout force on the interior this season in the CAA. 

He should get some help in handling the Tribe's production in the post, as well, as Fischer and his staff brought in several new faces at forward, including Pitt transfer Noah Collier, 6-foot-9 freshman Nick Evans and 6-foot-10 freshman Charlie Williams. 

But, make no mistake about it, Wight's almost certainly going to be the main option in the middle for W&M all year, and if he evolves into one of the league's best big men, the Tribe could surprise some teams, as Wight's output will make them far less of a pushover.

Key Addition

Anders Nelson, G, Gr., Edina, Minnesota

A Division III superstar from the moment he stepped on campus at St. Thomas - winning the D3Hoops.com National Freshman of the Year award during his first year (2018-2019) - Nelson was the centerpiece for three seasons on one of the division's best teams, before the Tommies made the massive leap to Division I for the 2021-2022 season. 

The jump in talent didn't faze Nelson at all. In fact, it only further proved how much of a baller he is. Nelson averaged 14.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game for St. Thomas in its first season at its new level in the Summit League, being a highly used player who made the Tommies' transition a little bit smoother. 

Get to Know the Tribe ➡️ @dersnelson4 pic.twitter.com/32b8Rr8Gao

— William & Mary Tribe Men's Basketball (@WMTribeMBB) August 25, 2022

Now, Nelson will attempt to do that for a Tribe team that badly needs some help on the offensive end, but if it's anything like his handling of change in the past, the 6-foot-1 ball handler should be able to keep his superb play going. 

Nelson scored 20 points or more six different times, and though his 3-point shooting could improve (28.4%) for how many triples he fires up (4.6 per game last season), W&M gladly will take proven, experienced scoring talent at the D-I level as it aims to climb its way out of the CAA cellar.

Game To Watch: William & Mary Vs. Hofstra

Considering that Hofstra eventually finished 13-5 in conference play and produced the CAA Player of the Year in junior guard Aaron Estrada, the Pride still may wonder just what in the world happened when they lost to William & Mary in each team's league opener last December.

In that game, the Tribe had one of their best shooting performances of the year (57.7% from the field), as three players dumped in double-figure scoring numbers in a 63-62 upset, though they were helped by the fact that Hofstra shot an abysmal 6 for 34 (17.6%) from 3-point range and that it wasn't able to capitalize on the Tribe turning the ball over 22 times. 

With Estrada back for another go, their early-season clash in Williamsburg with W&M could be an opportunity for the Pride to make a statement - or, on the flip side, a game for William & Mary to show it needs to be taken seriously as an up-and-comer in the conference again. 

Hofstra reloaded its roster, too. 

Sacred Heart transfer Tyler Thomas dumped in 16.4 points per night for the Pioneers a season ago, before making the move to Long Island, and if meshes with Estrada quickly, the duo could make up one of the scariest backcourt duos in the CAA. 

And, for a defense that was as poor as the Tribe's last season, that would not be good news.