The departure of three seniors, including three-time All-HCAC performer and captain Josh Eichar, opens the door for Bluffton's youth movement that includes 13 new players, four sophomores and six juniors who provided much of the offense for the Beavers a season ago. Whereas those sophomores needed to get acclimated to higher expectations for production last year following the departure of five seniors, seven players who averaged over 13 minutes per contest, including four starters who played over 30 minutes a game, give Bluffton a wealth of experience to draw on despite still looking young on paper.

 

Coach Neal is counting on improved play as a result of practice and game experience when the Beavers take to the hardwood in November. "Experience will be one of our primary strengths this season," stated Coach Neal. "With four starters back who saw considerable action last year, we have the pieces in place to return to the heart of the HCAC." Injuries and inexperience at the collegiate level slowed Bluffton last season, but the core group of returners battled through adversity and never gave up despite coming up just short time and again. Remaining positive and continuing to work hard in practice throughout the season, the Beavers have put themselves in an enviable position going into 2010-11.

 

Seniors Rob Luderman (Defiance/Ayersville) and Cam Saylor (Belle Center/Benjamin Logan) will be counted on to provide leadership both on and off the court as the only fourth-year members of the 2010-11 squad. Luderman saw action on the blocks last season, backing up stat-sheet stuffer Josh Eichar who moved from point guard to power forward for his senior season. Saylor was injured for much of his junior campaign, but he will provide depth for the Beavers on the perimeter thanks to his smooth stroke from outside the arc.

 

Bluffton's juniors have the depth and talent to go down as one of the best classes during Coach Neal's tenure with the Beavers. Versatile guards Mychal Hill (London/Jonathan Alder) and Nick Lee (Vanlue) have the skill set and athleticism to lead Bluffton deep into the HCAC tournament. Hill, who earned First Team All-HCAC honors last season despite missing six games due to an injury, and Lee can both get to the rack or light it up from outside the arc. They also handed out nearly 100 assists a year ago.

 

Athletic forward Brent Farley (Lima/Shawnee) also has a knack for finding an open teammate, a trait that makes him hard to double-team in the post where he has an assortment of moves that he can use. Farley led the team with 48 blocks and 6.9 boards per game while chipping in 11.3 points per outing. Fellow slasher Nate Heckelman (Norwalk) played in only 10 games before an injury kept him out of action for most of the rest of 2009-10. He gives the Beavers a solid rebounder who can defend multiple positions. Juniors Steven Swick (Elida) and Orry Moughler (Butler, Ind./Eastside) both saw varsity action in a limited capacity as sophomores and they will be counted on to help provide depth and experience on the wing and in the post this season.

 

Sophomore Josh Fisher (Rockford/Parkway) established himself as one of the HCAC's top freshmen guards in 2009-10 thanks to his break-out performance in Bluffton's 91-83 victory over HCAC tournament champion Defiance College in Founders Hall. The high-flying Fisher is a match-up nightmare for opposing teams with his ability to soar through the key or hit from long-range. Scott Schnipke (Kalida) and Tyler Neal (Bluffton) both got their feet wet last year and they give the Beavers solid depth on the perimeter. Schnipke can hit the mid-range jumper and the triple, while Neal distributes the ball and can knock down the outside shot. Sophomore Matt Gerdeman (Delphos/Jefferson) will look to provide solid minutes in the post for Bluffton this year.

 

Team unity and chemistry will once again drive the Bluffton University men's basketball team. The relationships that have developed between players and coaches was evidenced a year ago when the Beavers never gave in despite struggling to finish games on top. It is this team-first mentality that Coach Neal has fostered as a way to prepare his players for highs and lows both on the court and off.

 

The Heartland Conference has the makings to be another marathon with 2009-10 heavyweights Anderson, Hanover and Manchester returning the most notable squads. The Ravens won the regular-season title last year and qualified for the NCAA tournament despite falling to Defiance in the HCAC finals. Bluffton and the rest of the conference will welcome Earlham College to the HCAC in 2010-11, adding two matchups with the Quakers to this year's slate.

 

With the 2010-11 campaign fast approaching, Bluffton has the tools in place to move back into the Heartland Conference tournament race. A wealth of experience and drive to succeed coupled with the team's outstanding chemistry give the Beavers reason to believe that Founders Hall victories and post-season success are just around the corner. A team that is balanced offensively, gets after it defensively and takes advantage of the free throw line is tough to defeat and that is just what the Beavers expect to be when Bluffton hits the hardwood this season.