The dismantling of Binghamton University’s men’s basketball team last week took away six players: four who helped bring the Bearcats to the NCAA tournament, and two transfers. For head coach Kevin Broadus, the challenge now is how to take up where the team left off.

In less than a week, the basketball program came crumbling down after second-leading scorer junior Emanuel “Tiki” Mayben was arrested and charged with felony counts of selling and possessing cocaine. A day after Mayben’s arraignment and dismissal from the team, five other players from the basketball team, including top scorers D.J. Rivera and Malik Alvin, were released from its roster because of “a lack of commitment both on and off the court.” To top it all off, Joel Thirer submitted his resignation Wednesday morning, stepping down as director of health, physical education and athletics.

All that remains after the dismissals are six juniors, one sophomore and four freshmen to pick up the pieces. Of these players, three are returning athletes.

While Broadus declined to comment, University spokeswoman Gail Glover said that he’s still in the thinking stages of planning for the season.

“Coach Broadus is currently assessing his options and determining what his next steps will be,” she said when asked if there was any possibility for additional recruitment.

At a press conference, University President Lois DeFleur outlined in detail certain steps she wanted Broadus to take for the basketball program, including a “recruitment and supervision plan.”

DeFleur has also stated that the University will bring in a consultant from outside the school to inspect and record the athletic program in order to make sure that all America East and NCAA procedures and policies are being followed. Moreover, she said that the consultant will ensure that they are “providing the best possible experiences for the student-athletes.” DeFleur said in her statement that she hopes that the review will allow the University to improve the program and develop it for the future.

“Recently there have been specific instances where student-athletics have not complied with our standards and we took immediate action,” she said.

The specifics of the actions have not yet been finalized, according to Glover.

Meanwhile, with preseason practice in action and the regular season on the horizon, the men’s basketball team continues to work.

The Bearcats will have to rely on third-year player Chretien Lukusa to help carry the team. Lukusa, a recruit of former basketball head coach Al Walker, averaged 4.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.9 steals a game last season, and started in 11 of 27 games he played last season. The junior guard was given the name “glue-guy” for his impressive defensive skills his last two seasons.

Another third-year player expected to lead the Bearcats is Moussa Camara. Camara scored a season-high 13 points on three occasions last season, averaging 3.4 points and one rebound per game. The junior started in eight games of the 23 he played in.

The final returning player is sophomore Kyrie Sutton, who started in 15 games last season. Sutton was ranked second on the team and fourth in the America East conference in blocks per game. He totaled 33 blocks last season, averaging 1.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 11.7 minutes.

What will come from the new players remains shrouded in mystery; however, they do come with an impressive resume. Freshman Taylor Johnston averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists for West Hill High, which went 30-8 last season. Freshman Pina Guillaume averaged 20 points, one rebound and five blocks in his junior year of high school before missing out on senior year with an injury.

The Bearcats are scheduled to play an exhibition game against Holy Family University on Nov. 10. The regular season is scheduled to begin against Bloomsburg University on Nov. 14 at the Events Center.