The Wilmington College men's basketball program will be going through a youth movement in the 2015-16 season as the Fightin' Quakers return just one starter from last year's team. 

"The OAC is going to be an incredibly difficult league this season as always," said Wilmington head coach K.C. Hunt. "I love the talent level in our program, but our challenge is going to be our lack of experience. This is by far the youngest team I have ever had."

Wilmington returns just two of its top 10 scorers from a season ago, and just 21 percent of their total scoring. 

"It's a transition year with a very young team, I really like our talent level," said Hunt. "We are absolutely going to be counting on guys who didn't get very many minutes last year and some newcomers. It is going to be an interesting year. A lot of unknowns, but a lot of pieces we can mold into a very competitive unit."

Sophomore Christian Jones (Hamilton, OH/Hamilton), who is the lone returning starter, was the league's top three-point shooter, making 49.3 percent (37-of-75) of his shots. He finished fourth on the team with 10.5 points per game.

"Christian is obviously going to get a lot of attention from teams, but there is no pressure on him," said Hunt. "We are going to do our best to play great team basketball. Christian is a very good player. It's not about one guy, ever. It's about five guys playing together, sharing the basketball and playing great team basketball."

Sophomore guards D.J. Iles (Fayetteville, OH/Fayetteville-Perry) and Travis Gleason (Reynoldsburg, OH/Reynoldsburg) will be competing with junior transfer Connor Casey (Upper Arlington, OH/Arlington) at the point guard position. 

Gleason and Iles played in 12 and 13 games, respectively for the Fightin' Quakers. Gleason averaged 1.5 points per game.

Sophomore Nathan Scott (Sardinia, OH/Eastern Brown), sophomore Dane Blumenstock (Union City, OH/Mississinawa Valley), freshman Kevin Lewis (Cincinnati, OH/Clark Montessori), freshman Brandon Smith (Lebanon, OH/Lebanon) and freshman Will Patrick (Chester, PA/Pickerington Central (OH)) are all competing for minutes at the wing postions. 

    

Senior Zach McCorkle (Cincinnati, OH/Winton Woods), who made an immediate impact after transferring midseason, will be counted on to be the team's primary inside scoring option. 

    

Playing in just 14 games, McCorkle averaged 6.5 points and 4.1 rebounds. 

    

"My hope and expectation for Zach is that he performs at an all-league level. I think he has that kind of talent," said Hunt. "Having that half season under his belt was great for him, he is in great shape and I think it's going to be a big year for him."

Senior forward Chris Jackson (Ostrander, OH/Buckeye Valley) played in 24 of the team's 25 games a season ago, and his experience will be invaluable. 

"Chris is a veteran that has been in the program for four years," said Hunt. "The attributes he brings are he is tough as nails, always in the right spot, is a total team guy, is scrappy and he just makes plays. Chris is going to be a huge contributor for us this year."

Junior Malcolm Pittman (Dayton, OH/Huber Heights Wayne), who missed all of last season with an injury, brings a powerful inside presence. Look for freshmen Andrew 

Russell (Columbus, OH/Central Crossing) and Jordan Hecker (Delaware, OH/Rutherford B. Hayes) to fight for minutes in the frontcourt. 

With Hunt's propensity to play 12 players a night, there is a lot of room in the rotation. 

"We play 12 guys a night every year I have been here, and that is not going to change," said Hunt. "I would envision we will have somewhere in the range of ten guys averaging 10 minutes a game. I think its going to be different changes, different lineups through the year as these guys grow and figure out how hard they have to play.

"It's going to a super competitive process, and honestly, all spots are still open," Hunt continued. "Nothing is guaranteed in our program; you earn what you get. I like the guys coming in. They are talented. I just think there are young and trying to find out what college basketball is about, and I am excited about the process."

Wilmington opens the 2015-16 season 3 p.m. November 15 at Mount St. Joseph University.