ANNVILLE, Pa. - When the 2014-15 men's basketball season opens for Lebanon Valley College this weekend, one thing is for sure - things won't be the same as last year.

The Dutchmen bring back an experienced core of players from its injury-plagued 9-16 season in 2013-14, including all-American point guard Kevin Agnew and his 26.4 points per game, hard-nosed and productive combo Kyler Burke, and forward Luke Berguson, who was thrust into a starting role and outplayed his 6-3 frame.

Add to that group a highly-touted nine-member freshmen class, and head coach Brad McAlester may have a team that will surprise some people in 2014-15. The Dutchmen will get a big test to start the season on Saturday, playing Johns Hopkins at the York Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, and will open at home next Wednesday against Penn State Harrisburg.

Agnew, a co-captain, will be looked to for his scoring punch once again. At 26.4 points per game, he ranked fourth in the nation among all divisions in scoring, hitting 30 or more points nine times to be NABC and D3hoops.com All-Region. The dynamic guard sank 80 three-pointers and was an 84.5 percent foul shooter last year, and now stands 27 points from 1,000 for his career. He was also the team's top passer, handing out 3.4 assists per game, and had a team-best 1.4 steals per game. 

Co-captain Luke Berguson was the only other Dutchman to start all 25 games last year, and he averaged 6.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in the post. An inside player who can shoot from anywhere, Berguson was also 10-of-16 from three-point range and a 53.4 percent shooter overall, the best on the team.

Already a two-year starter heading into his junior year, Kyler Burke is coming off a sophomore season that saw him contribute 9.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the floor. He nearly doubled his production in scoring and rebounding from his freshman year, while also improving his foul shooting to 72.5 percent, 11th-best in the Commonwealth Conference.

In the backcourt, a trio of sophomore guards who showed promise last year are back. Travis Conrad, Zach Faulker, and Zach Mrozek each added energy off the bench as freshmen and could compete for starting roles this year. Conrad averaged 3.5 points and 2.5 boards per game with 18 three-pointers, while the hard-charging Mrozek sank 4.5 points per game with 2.4 boards. Faulkner pitched in 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in 21 appearances. Junior guard Vince Soto will look to make an impact after being limited to five games through injuries last year.

In the frontcourt, LVC will be buoyed by the return of 6-7 big man Nick Pappas. Poised to step into a starting role last year until a preseason injury ended his season before it began, Pappas will return after a sophomore year in which he appeared in 23 games and grabbed 40 rebounds and scored 37 points.

Nine freshmen will fill the roster in one of the most promising recruiting classes ever at LVC. The guard-heavy group includes 6-7 swingman Andy Orr out of Conrad Weiser, Hershey's all-Mid-Penn selection Ricky Bugg Jr., Annville-Cleona start Paxson Hayes, Exeter Township captain Brett Gilbert, Caesar Rodney (Del.) all-state star Collin Moore, Point Pleasant (N.J.) shooter Will Boccanfuso, and Cyree Sutton-Ames out of Great Valley. Two forwards - freshman Jared Bernhart out of Souderton, and junior first-year player Matt McMonagle - will bolster the front court.