You don’t have to be a Rhodes scholar to look at the Husson College prospectus and know what their primary weakness will be this season.

Husson graduated three guards who combined for an average of 28 points and, more importantly, 10.5 assists per game.

So what has first-year coach Harold Williams done to fill the void left by the loss of Liza Doughty, Katie Nye and Leslie Weed?

He has taken his co-captains, 5-foot-10 Leslie Trott of Brewer and 5-7 Kelly Dow of Sebec Village and transformed them from forwards to guards.

“I want their experience in handling the basketball,” said Williams, who replaced 12-year coach Kissy Walker. “They did a nice job adjusting to it over the weekend [in season-opening losses to powerhouses Babson and Colby]. It may take a little more time.”

Dow said, “I was a three [small forward] in high school. It’s not that much different. It’s just more responsibility because Liza, Katie and Leslie aren’t here.”

Trott said playing in the back-court is “something I like to do.”

Williams said he also expects sophomore Rebekah Sexton of Dover, N.H. and Jen Comeau of Lincoln to be productive in the back-court. Sexton didn’t play last year.

“Rebekah is doing a great job filling in and Jen is coming off an ankle injury and played a little last weekend. They’re going to play lots of minutes,” said Williams.

If there is one thing the Braves don’t lack it’s size.

Williams has seven players who are at least 5-foot-9.

“But, again, it’s the responsibility of our guards to get them the ball,” said Williams.

Dow and Trott pointed out that although size is a strength, most of their front-court players are sophomores. And strength is not a strength.

“Experience will be an issue,” said Dow. “It’s definitely going to be a learning experience for everybody. Everybody needs to hit the weight room.”

But both agree that there is no shortage of talent.

“We have size, quickness and athleticism. And I think we’re going to peak at the right moment at the end of the year,” said Trott.

Brewer’s Liz Boone will be the go-to player in the front-court as the 5-10 sophomore averaged 9.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game a year ago.

“She works her tail off and does a tremendous job,” said Williams.

Five-foot-10 twins Stephanie and Caroline Fry of Walpole, N.H., both sophomores, will be called upon for points and rebounds in the frontcourt along with Lincoln sophomore Brooke Turner and Dexter junior Megan Hughes.

When they played forward last season, Trott averaged 10 points, 6-7 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game and Dow contributed 10.6 ppg and 4.7 rpg.

Trott averaged 13 points and 8.5 rebounds in Husson’s games last weekend and Boone averaged 11 points and seven boards. Dow averaged five points and five rebounds.

Hermon freshman Lindsay Duplisea can play forward and guard; freshman Liz Poirier of Tewksbury, Mass. is a 5-9 forward and 5-5 Layne McDonald of Surry will provide depth at guard.

Williams is an advocate of man-to-man and isn’t afraid to press.

“My background is man-to-man and I like to stick with what I know,” said the 35-year-old Williams. “We’ve come a long way since we first stepped on the court. And we’ll get better at it.”

Trott and Dow like playing man-to-man.

“I like a zone once in a while to give you a break but it’s so easy to break down in a zone. Man-to-man gives you a better opportunity to cover your player and to help someone else or to get help yourself if you get burned,” said Trott.

Dow said playing a man-to-man gives each player more responsibility.

Pressing and playing a man-to-man help jumpstart the offense, according to Trott.

“I like pushing the ball down the floor. I like to try to get lay-ups before we push the ball out and set up a play,” said Trott.

Williams has big shoes to fill.

Walker compiled a 236-95 record in her tenure at Husson and led Husson to four Maine Athletic Conference championships and four trips to the NAIA National Tournament.

“We expect to challenge for the MAC championship,” said Williams.