Growing pains marked Monmouth’s first season under head coach Wade Morrill last year, and that will likely continue this year with an even younger roster.

“Five of our top seven from last year are gone,” Morrill said. “The guys that are back have improved quite a bit, but it’s a whole new team, really.”

Senior Devon Poisson and Zac Wallace are the the grizzled veterans, but the plan is to bring along large junior and sophomore classes. Sophomores Gabe Martin and Brock Bates are expected to be key new contributors.

The Mustangs don’t have a lot of size, but Morrill will look to take advantage of good overall athleticism to spread the scoring around and make opponents earn their points at the other end.

Coach: Wade Morrill (second year)

Conference: MVC; Class: C South

Last year’s results: 5-13.

Returning players: Seniors — Devon Poisson (5-9 guard), Zac Wallace (5-11 forward).

Key losses: Hunter Richardson, Travis Hartford, Mat Foulke.

Promising newcomers: Juniors — Dylan Lajoie (5-9 guard), Ben Brooks (6-2 forward), Evan Burnell (6-1 forward), Trevor Flanagan (5-8 guard), Carlos Garcia (5-5 guard); Sophomores — Gabe Martin (5-11 guard), Brock Bates (6-1 forward), Thomas Neal (5-6 guard).