ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College men's basketball team will have a new look both on the court and on the sidelines during the 2013-14 season.

Former Elmhurst assistant John Baines is entering his first season as the team's head coach. Baines spent the past three seasons as the head coach at the University of St. Francis and compiled a 57-38 overall record while coaching six all-conference performers, a conference Freshman of the Year award winner and a pair of NAIA All-Americans.

"I enjoyed my time at St. Francis, but I'm very much looking forward to my first year as a head coach in the CCIW," said Baines. "Elmhurst competes in one of the best conferences in all of Division III and I feel that we can get the program back to the top again."

Baines and assistant coaches Chris Martin, Scott Campbell and Jason Cheeks will work to turn around a young Bluejay team that struggled last season, posting a 6-19 overall record and just a 2-12 mark in conference competition.

"I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a great assistant coaching staff at Elmhurst," Baines said. "Chris has the talent to be a successful head coach and we were privileged to have Scott join us from a very successful program at St. Xavier."

Elmhurst fans will see an aggressive defense and strong rebounding team that they are accustomed to seeing traditionally, but Baines has switched up Elmhurst's offense.

""We're going to run more of a free-flowing, four-out offense," said Baines. "It's going to rely more on spacing and there are some elements of a triangle offense included as well. I think one change our fans will see is that we'll get up and down the court with more transition opportunities."

Baines' 2013-14 squad features seven seniors and 15 underclassmen, including four sophomores who saw quality minutes last season. "Last year's squad was very young," he said. "I believe we have some very capable leaders in our captains Nick Sanford, Taylor Baxter and Bryant Ackerman, and I think it's a realistic goal for this squad to be finishing in the top half of the league standings and qualifying for the CCIW Tournament."

Sanford, a third-team all-conference honoree last season is Baines' most experienced returner after starting the past two seasons at power forward. Sanford averaged 16.1 points per game and was a force on the glass, pulling down 8.7 rebounds per game, leading the team in both categories.

"Nick is an all-league player who has performed at a high level in the past," said Baines. "We expect that he'll continue to be one of our top scorers and rebounders while also taking on more of a vocal leadership role on the court."

Joining Sanford down low are sophomores Kenny Payonk and Erik Crittenden and freshman Jarrell Holliman. Payonk saw quality minutes as a freshman, appearing in 21 contests for the Bluejays.

"Kenny Payonk has made the most progress of any player that was on our roster last year," said Baines. "He has gotten bigger and stronger and has really developed as a spot-up shooter. He's looked very impressive for us in the preseason. Erik has grown and gotten stronger in the offseason and is the type of player who could really fit in our offense. Jarrell is a young player that is just beginning to scratch the surface in terms of potential. I believe he could contribute for us as he gets stronger and more accustomed to the collegiate game."

Baines will look to sophomore transfer Will Nixon to anchor the Bluejays in the paint. "Will was a highly sought after recruit a year ago and we are thrilled that he decided to transfer to Elmhurst," he said. "He's very athletic, hardworking and is extremely active around the basket. His offensive game is still developing but I believe that he is the next great post player to come through Elmhurst College."

Seniors Alex DeBack and Joe Jugovic with junior Michael Jerkovich give the Bluejays plenty of depth in the post.

"Alex has dropped weight and is in good shape," said Baines. "He gives us a big body down low and he understands his role and his limitations. Michael is a very smart player on the court and a great role player while Joe gives us the added depth that we need to compete in the CCIW."

Baines will turn to Baxter to lead the Bluejays on the wing. Baxter averaged more than seven points per game last season and dished out 69 assists while playing primarily at the point.

"Taylor is a physically gifted and skilled player," said Baines. "He is one of our smartest players and additionally one of our most vocal. If Taylor can play at the level we think he can, we will have an extremely solid frontline. We don't have a large collection of traditional post players, but we're going to be very athletic and will be able to compete on the glass with anyone in the CCIW."

Baines will look to sophomore transfer Phil Randazzo and freshmen Collin Roy and Caleb Mowry to battle for additional time at the small forward. "Collin is a quick learner that has picked things up quickly. Phil is a smart, strong and tough-nosed player and I think Caleb will be a very good player as he develops at the collegiate level."

Baines has Ackerman penciled in at shooting guard after a strong debut season in 2012-13. Ackerman averaged 9.8 points per game while leading the team in three-point shooting (39.8 percent).

"Bryant is returning starter who had an impressive freshman season," said Baines. "I believe he's ready to make a big jump this season and really gives us a strong outside shooter."

Sophomore Peyton Wyatt, senior Charles Glass and freshman Nathan Rogers could also see time at the two-guard. "Peyton missed his freshman season with an injury, but he's a very good shooter and I believe he can help us offensively," said Baines. "Charles played some valuable minutes for us last year and Nathan is a freshman with the ability and athleticism to find time on the floor right away."

At point guard, Baines will look to sophomore Kyle Wuest and sophomore transfer Pat Coleman to battle for the starting role. Wuest averaged 5.3 points and dished out 45 assists for the Bluejays last season.

"Pat is very quick and a good distributor," said Baines. "Kyle is more of a two-guard but is capable of running the point while also providing us with another outside shooter when he's on the floor."

Sophomore Eric Leonard, senior Nathan Ropp and freshman Tucker Harlan will also battle for time at the point. "Eric earned some valuable experience for us last year and has improved his game in the offseason. Nathan transferred to Elmhurst last season but missed the entire year with an injury. He's very talented and can be a big contributor when he joins us in mid-December. Tucker comes from a well-regarded high school program and has shown signs of being a natural leader."

Baines believes that the Bluejays can be successful in the CCIW in his first season at the helm. "This is a talented group of players that has good chemistry on the court. They work very hard and I believe that we're going to be an extremely tough team night-in, night-out in the CCIW. We're still a young squad and our players are adjusting to a new coaching staff, a new offense and some new philosophies on the court. We are learning very quickly and I envision us making progress all the way through CCIW play."

Elmhurst opens the 2013-14 season by playing at the CCIW/SLIAC Challenge on November 15-16.