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AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER - For the entire 2009-2010 season, the Austin Toros relied on their 3-point shooting to win games. The majority of their lineups featured the “4 out, 1 in” look, with some combination of four perimeter players orbiting one post player, usually Dwayne Jones. These lineups allowed the Toros to spread the floor and find open shots, while having a big man skilled enough to control the glass (mostly) by himself.

But since Dwayne Jones is on his way to Phoenix and Eric Dawson is in a knee brace that rivals Tim Duncan’s, the Toros are faced with idea that the way they played all season is over. And now, having just finished their last game of the regular season and with the playoffs a week away, the Austin Toros must reinvent themselves.

“It’s a challenge to the guys, and an opportunity to step up and do somethings people probably don’t think you can do,” head coach Quin Snyder said after the Toros 104-94 win over the Utah Flash on Saturday night.

Austin can no longer dump the ball into the post and expect the result to be a bucket or two free throws. Kick-outs to 3-point shooters from down low will be missed also.

Now, the Toros will need to fast break with reckless abandon. Getting up-court before the opposing defense can get set will be important, especially against teams with tall, long interior defenses. And while their options on pick-and-rolls will be limited, the pick-and-pop (where the man who sets the screen pops out to the 3-point line instead of rolling to the basket) will be a favorable weapon.

Austin’s defense must be solid. The Toros can’t count on a strong inside presence backing up the guards on the perimeter. Though Jones was not an elite shot blocker, he played good position defense and was wide enough to fill gaps. Now the Toros guards have to keep in front of their man and much as possible and limit their gambles.

But the area where Jones had the most impact, and where the Toros will need to make the biggest adjustments, is rebounding. Dwayne Jones leaves Austin as the D-League’s leading rebounder by a wide margin. Jones’ 16 rebounds per game is 2.8 rpg higher than Joey Dorsey in second place, who averaged 13.2 per game in 16 contests this season. Brian Butch is the next person on the list and he averaged 11.9 rpg in 39 games this year.

It will take a collective effort from the Toros to try and replace what they lose in Jones. And while some areas, like his gaudy rebounding numbers, will be harder (or just plain impossible) to replace, the Austin Toros have shown an exceptional ability to adjust to unaccustomed pieces in their lineup. And it is this ability that will be tested the most when the D-League Playoffs get under way next week, and will determine how far this team advances in the playoffs.

That, and their rebounding.