After going through a rebuilding phase for the past two seasons, Elmhurst College men's basketball coach Mark Scherer is excited for what lies ahead in the 2011-12 season.

"I'm very excited about this team," said Scherer. "We feel like we've worked hard the last two years to develop a young group of players into juniors and seniors. We now have nine upperclassmen that enjoy playing together as a team, and I feel as though we're much further along now than we have been in the past two years."

Just three seasons removed from being in the NCAA Tournament, Scherer's squad of 16 features 10 returning players and six newcomers.

"There's a different feeling coming into this season when you have a strong idea of who your top-10 players are going to be," said Scherer. "Having a solid nucleus of returning players is a lot different than starting from scratch."

Elmhurst has a pair of returning players battling for the starting point guard spot. Senior Mike McCurdy started 17 games last season and averaged 8.3 points while leading the squad in assists. Junior D'Ante Foster started in 11 games and averaged 4.7 points while ranking second on the squad in assists.

"We have two experienced point guards in Mike and D'Ante and I expect them to share the position this season," said Scherer. "They are both capable of pushing the ball and getting our offense into an up-tempo style. D'Ante has great speed and explosiveness and an ability to hawk the ball on defense. Mike is very strong and can get to the basket and finish. I believe D'Ante and Mike are capable of combining for 15-20 points a night."

Scherer will be looking to James Robertson as a scoring threat at the two-guard position. Robertson averaged 8.3 points per game last season while leading the team in three-pointers (33) and three-point percentage (.418).

"I believe James is capable of having a breakout season," said Scherer. "He has the ability to step up and score 15-20 points a game. He's worked hard this offseason and is a great pure shooter with a quick release."

Scherer's squad returns third-team all-conference performer Zack Boyd at the wing. Boyd led the squad in scoring for the past two seasons, averaging 14.5 points per game last season.

"Zack is the best shape of his career," said Scherer. "He's our strongest player and set a team bench press record this summer. He has improved his outside shooting and is really developing into a leader on this squad."

Scherer believes that a more experienced and developed line-up will be a big boost to Boyd.

"Our experience and maturity on the floor should be a big help to Zack," said Scherer. "I expect us to be less predictable in clutch time situations than we were last season. Opponents were able to key on Zack last year when the clock was winding down. This year, I believe we'll have more weapons on the floor and that should take some pressure off of Zack down the stretch."

Scherer expect sophomore Sam Ficker, junior Myles Burton, and freshman Brandon Grubl to all see time for the Bluejays on the wing and at guard.

"The two and three positions are very interchangeable in our offense," said Scherer. "Myles is moving from the post to the wing this season to help give us better match-ups against some teams that have good size. Sam is our most improved player in the offseason and he's been playing extremely well early in our practice season. Brandon is a great young talent who's been pushing hard for playing time since the first day we stepped on the court."

Sophomore Nick Sanford and junior Erik Dornfeld give the Bluejays two experienced players at forward. Sanford averaged 4.2 rebounds in 11 games before missing the end of last season with an injury. Dornfeld averaged 4.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game last season.

"Nick is healthy and has really been playing well," Scherer said. "He's the type of player who does everything well and he has a great nose for the ball around the glass. Erik has played in our system for two years now and has gotten leaner and stronger in the offseason. He's been hampered in the past with nagging injuries and having him healthy will be a boost to our interior game."

Transfer Jerome Robinson is expected to make an immediate impact for the Bluejays in the post.

"Jerome is proving to be a great fit with our team," said Scherer. "He is capable of stepping in and immediately becoming one of our best players. He has great quickness on defense and he runs in transition better than any player I've ever coached."

Sophomore Justin Phipps could contribute in the post after he completes the football season. Scherer also expects returner Andy LePard and freshman Will Botefuhr to push for playing time in the post.

Elmhurst's squad will get added depth from newcomers Michael Ellis, Nathan Fernandez, and Michael Jerkovich.

Scherer is confident that the Bluejays have the necessary tool to be successful after two seasons of struggles.

"This group knows that this our year to succeed," said Scherer. "Our seniors know they have one last chance to show what they can do in the CCIW. After taking their lumps as underclassmen for the past two seasons, we know that we can look forward to significant improvement from a group of players that is now seasoned juniors and seniors. I truly believe we have a great opportunity this season to finish in the top four of the CCIW and return to the CCIW Tournament."

Elmhurst opens the 2011-12 season by travelling to the University of Dubuque on November 15.