Spring Hill College (SHC) head men's basketball coach Aaron Niven says that his team learned a lot in their first season of play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and NCAA Division II. "It's not that we learned that much new about the competition," he says. "The SIAC was just as athletic as we thought it would be last year, but they had much bigger players then we faced in our old conference. That being said, we found out that we can compete in the SIAC and compete at a good level. We also learned that the SIAC loves its basketball. It's a great atmosphere in all the gyms. The gyms are packed with loud, fun crowds every night."

Starting the new season, Niven is happy with the progress his team is making. "Where we are in the building process – and we are still in a building process – is good," he says. "We are still a young team, but my instinct says that we are a lot better this year. You never know how that will translate into wins and losses on the court, but talent-wise there is no doubt we are better."

While Niven's squad is still young on paper, his team is much more experienced this year than in his previous two seasons at SHC. His roster features 11 returning players and four freshmen.

Niven has high expectations for senior guard Jarrett Calhoun from Linden, N.J. "Jarrett is playing like a senior should play," he says. "He's taken a leadership role and he came back in great shape. Last year, he got better as the season went along and he continued to improve over the summer." The Badger skipper also points to his other two senior guards in Wesley Pietri from St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile and Jackson Fos of Abita Springs, La. "What more can I say about Wesley?" Niven asks. "He gives you what he gives you every night. He's a great passer and plays defense hard every play. And Jackson just finds ways to score. They both are players that any coach loves to work with."

Sophomore point guard James Clarke of Winnetka, Ill., returns after a freshman campaign that impressed his coach. "Clarke probably had the best spring of any of our returning players," says Niven. We expect good things from him." Sophomore Jack Morrissey of Evanston, Ill., was a top sixth-man for the Badgers as a freshman with quality playing time in all 28 games while fellow freshman Matevz Rojc of Ljubljana-Smartno, Slovenia, and redshirt freshman Sawyer Glick of Columbus, Ind., will both see crucial minutes. "Morrissey is better this year," says Niven. "And Rojc went home during the summer and worked on all the things we asked him to work on. Glick can be just downright good at times, so I really like what we have coming back."

On the inside, Niven points to junior center Dejan Stefanovic of Paracin, Serbia, and junior forward Sam Hutcheson of Hoover, Ala., as foundations of team. "Dejan is poised to have a really good year because he can score around the basket," Niven says. "And Sam is our glue guy, the leader of our team.  Sam is a tough kid who can really defend and rebound in the post and does anything that is asked of him." Rejoining the Badger after sitting out last spring is sophomore forward Walter Massey of Eight Mile, Ala., "Having Walter back is big for us.  Walter is just talented and he's done a lot of growing up this year. He's very good and we missed him last year." Junior Christopher Hamilton of Pensacola, Fla., is a versatile player who will see time in various roles throughout the year.

The freshman class is a strong mix of players that Niven says will make an immediate impact. Forward Chase Shellman of Louisville, Ky., and guard Jared Holland from Baker High School in Mobile have impressed him in the early workouts. "Chase is a long kid who can do multiple things on the court," Niven says. "He can play many different positions, he's a good passer and he has a very high basketball I.Q.  We recruited Jared because he has a burst of speed that we needed, but we've learned he is also a tough kid physically and mentally. That will be important for him in this conference."

Quinn Sutton of Arlington, Texas, and Desmond Frazier of Ocala, Fla., make the Badgers that much more dangerous. "Quinn is a 'bouncy-athletic' player who is still learning the game, but he's also a 'pleaser,' meaning he wants to do what you ask him to do and do it right. Desmond is a shooter and he puts it in the hole."

Overall, Niven is excited to get the season underway, but also admits to being a little nervous. "You just don't know how it will all play out, but we are passing the ball better and we are shooting the ball better. We'll have a chance to win games this year and we'll have a chance to be pretty good."

The Badgers open the 2015-2016 season at home on Friday as they host the annual Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)/Gulf South Conference (GSC) Challenge starting with the Hawks of Shorter University at 7 p.m. in the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center.