ATLANTA --- Paul Hewitt joked last month that an experienced point guard would mean "a little less graying" in his hair.

The Georgia Tech coach had no way of knowing other problems would complicate his plans for the Yellow Jackets' season, which opens tonight against Win-ston-Salem State.

First, Hewitt learned about a week after the start of practice that senior captain D'Andre Bell will have season-ending surgery to correct a spinal condition.

Lewis Clinch, another senior guard, has been lost at least for a few games after he was declared academically ineligible for the fall semester.

Suddenly, Georgia Tech is facing a shortage of backcourt players as it attempts to improve on last season's 15-17 record.

Bell hopes to return next season. Clinch hopes to return in January. For now, Hewitt has to make some adjustments as he looks for players to join his returning starter at point guard, sophomore Moe Miller.

"We're probably not pressing as much, not running as much, but trying to become a little more efficient in terms of executing our half-court offense and certainly being more solid in the half-court defense," Hewitt said this week.

Miller enjoyed a strong finish to his freshman season, averaging 13.4 points and 3.8 assists in the last eight games.

"He's a very talented basketball player, but I think the physical demands of Division I college basketball may have caught him by surprise last season," Hewitt said. "By the middle of the year and toward the end of the year, I think he kind of figured it out and finished up great."

Hewitt has turned to a big lineup, with 6-foot-8 junior Zack Peacock moving to fill the small forward spot projected for Bell.

"As a team it's like everyone took it upon themselves," Peacock said. "We're going to dedicate the season to D'Andre, in the sense he won't be there with us. We just took it upon ourselves to work harder."

Hewitt said he expects his frontcourt to take the scoring lead. Forward Gani Lawal led the way in the Yellow Jackets' 85-54 exhibition win against Le Moyne last Friday with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Senior center Alade Aminu also had a double-double with 17 points and 12 boards, and Peacock came close with nine points and 13 rebounds.

"The strength of this team are the big guys, and our big guys are doing a nice job," Hewitt said. "I think we have nice depth there, especially when Bassirou (Dieng) comes back from his injury."

Dieng, a senior, missed the exhibition game with an elbow injury.