NEW ORLEANS (AP) Facing the impending departure of his two best players and six transfers overall, Tulane men's basketball coach Ed Conroy said Friday the Green Wave would recover from the mass exodus despite what he called the disappointing and unexpected loss of 2011-12 Conference USA freshman of the year Ricky Tarrant.

Tarrant, a point guard who averaged 15.7 points and 3.6 assists, is one of two pivotal players choosing to leave after Tulane won 20 games and reached a postseason tournament for the first time since 2000. The other is forward Josh Davis, who led Conference USA in rebounding (10.7 per game) and was fourth in scoring (17.6 points per game).

Davis, a junior who is graduating in May, was a first-team All-Conference selection. Tarrant, a sophomore, was a second-team pick a year after making the first team.