Seventh-year head coach Tyler Jones enters the 2014-15 season feeling upbeat about the possibilities for his Concordia University Chicago men's basketball team. The Cougars return 11 players with previous experience in the program, and this year's recruiting class adds tremendous depth and some enormous potential.

"With the exception of the 2010-11 team which was loaded with senior talent, I don't think I have ever been this excited about a team's possibilities at the start of a season as I am about this group," says Jones. "We have a nucleus of five seniors that have helped us win some tough games over the past three years. We have also brought in some height and will be able to match up better against some of the stronger inside teams in the conference."
Perhaps the biggest reason for Jones' optimism is the versatility that he has available to him. "We have the ability to play big, fast, physical, whatever the situation dictates," says Jones. 
  
GUARDS                                                                       
Kylan Anderson enters the season as the Cougars' primary point guard. A 6'0" junior transfer from Morton Junior College, Anderson is described by Jones as "exciting a player as I've had at Concordia. He has pretty much the complete skill set highlighted by tremendous speed and quickness. Kylan has the ability to really force the action."

Expected to join Anderson in the backcourt are two returning starters and 2014-15 co-captains who contributed significantly last season. Mike Walmer made a strong impression in his rookie season by earning a place on the NACC All-Freshman Team. A strong penchant for driving the ball to the basket was underlined by his leading the conference in free-throw attempts. However, Walmer is diversifying his game, as Jones notes that "Mike has been working on his perimeter game and will have added range."

Brandon Stinson closed out last season as one of the NACC's most improved players at the three position. Stinson is the only returning player in the NACC this year to have finished in the top ten in both scoring and rebounding while also adding 100 assists. "Brandon is just an all-around great player that makes things happen on the court, and I believe he is in position to have a great senior year, the best year of his career," predicts Jones.

A tremendous amount of depth stands behind the three starting guards, and Jones will have several options for each game. Many of them are part-time starters from recent years and are not lacking in experience. The exception to that rule is freshman Tyler Zastrow.

Zastrow joins the Cougars after a great high school career at Sheboygan (WI) Lutheran which included a 2012 state championship. The 5'10" Zastrow scored over 1,000 points for his career, but Jones also appreciates "his knack for the ball and his ability to be a menace on defense."

Kostas Doxakis averaged eight points off the bench in 2014-15 but showed his potential when he popped in a combined 50 points in early January games against MSOE and Concordia Wisconsin. "Kostas learned a lot in his first season with us,' says Jones. "This year, I think his shot selection and passing are better and will make him a bigger facilitator of the offense."

Jacob Oakley showed himself a deadly marksman from the outside as he connected for six threes in a CIT game against Ann Arbor and five against Wisconsin Lutheran. "Jake is a specialist who takes good shots within the offense," says Jones. "We want him shooting the ball, and he's certainly not afraid to take a big shot in a clutch situation."

Shalav Hogue played an increased role last season, seeing action in 15 games. Jones calls Hogue "a wonderful asset to our program" and notes that "Shalav is diligent and opportunistic, one of our hardest workers who doesn't back down from anyone."

Justin Saar started 13 of his 21 games in his freshman year, and hiss three-point shooting and on-ball defense are assets which Jones will seek to utilize. In addition, Jones calls Saar's game "a model of consistency. He has the ability to play the type of game which complements the other players on the floor."

Also looking to contribute in the backcourt will be Kyle Hoffman, Christian Pieper and Austin Walker. Charles Ruffing returns after losing last season to injury, and Cole Reindl returns after last playing during 2012-13. Freshman KeJuan Thornton comes to CUC by way of Eric Solorio Academy in Chicago. The 6'0" Thornton has demonstrated an uncanny ability to rebound, and Jones notes that "KeJuan has great determination and is a sponge when it comes to soaking up information." Sophomore Rodney Castor and freshman Martrell Land will look to contribute beginning in the second half of the season.
  
FORWARDS/CENTERS
The four and five positions feature many of the new faces on the team with many of them projected to make immediate impacts.

Jones went down to Florida to find two players and former AAU teammates that figure to start at the power forward and center spots. Adam Giger at 6'7' will play the four, and Jones believes that he has found one of the more versatile players for the position. "Adam is a very savvy player," says Jones. "He has a very nice outside touch but is also crafty around the basket. He can set screens, read defenses and has a very high basketball IQ."
           
At 6'5" and 230 pounds, freshman Patrick Phillip will give the Cougars a solid physical presence in the paint. Jones calls Phillip "the best shooting four or five I have had at Concordia" and also praises his passing ability and overall strength in the post.
           
Tino Vazquez is a 6'4" junior transfer from Morton College. Jones calls Vazquez a "zone buster" with his ability to hit the three. "Tino is probably our best three-point shooter, but he can also play close to the basket and diversify his game," says Jones.
           
The Cougars will welcome junior DeAires Blackwell back to the team this season. The 6'2" Blackwell last played for CUC two years ago when he saw action in 11 games. "DeAires is a very fundamentally sound player who is a defensive catalyst," says Jones. "He is a rugged inside player who rebounds much bigger than an average 6'2" player."
           
Keenan Robinson comes to CUC from Curie High School where he honed his game playing with former teammate Cliff Alexander (University of Kansas). "Keenan has the quickness of a guard, the athleticism of a wing and the shot-blocking ability of a big man," says Jones. "His energy will find its place on this team."    
           
Shane Murray is a 6'8" post from suburban Lisle who will be sidelined due to labrum surgery. "We are sad that Shane will have to miss time this season, but we look forward to him coming back healthy and being a big part of our future," says Jones.
 
CONFERENCE/SCHEDULE
An early home-friendly schedule gives the Cougars a great opportunity to get their footing. Following a Nov. 15 opener on the road at Knox College, the Cougars will play on the Geiseman Gym floor for their next four games, beginning with Maranatha Baptist on Nov. 18 and encompassing their first two NACC contests against Lakeland on Nov. 29 and Benedictine on Dec. 4. The team then hits the road for three straight NACC games before coming home to face Wisconsin Lutheran on Dec. 20. A New Year's Eve matinee at Rockford closes out the 2014 portion of the schedule.
           
A Jan. 3 game against MSOE will mark the first of six home dates in January in which the Cougars face some of their big conference tests. Following a Jan. 27 game at Benedictine, the team will depart for Ann Arbor, Michigan and competition in the 63^rd annual Concordia Invitational Tournament. The Cougars, who open against Concordia Nebraska on Jan. 30, will look to repeat their feat from four years ago when they brought home a CIT men's title from Ann Arbor.
           
Following CIT, the Cougars resume NACC play against Wisconsin Lutheran on the road Feb. 7 before returning to Geiseman for the final two home games against Aurora (Feb. 10) and Marian (Feb. 14). The regular-season closes with a quick trip down Division Street to play Dominican.