All-NCAC performer Pat Sullivan returns to lead the new-look Big Red in 2008-09.

Bob Seger likes to sing about "turning the page" and that's exactly what the Denison men's basketball program has done as the 2008-09 tip-off approaches.

After a disappointing season a year ago, Denison has moved on with a beefed up roster highlighted by 11 first-year players and a solid core of veterans determined to make last year a distant memory.

Senior co-captains Pat Sullivan (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) and Jeremy Stuhlfauth (Columbus, Ohio/Whetstone) return as leaders of team that has gone through many transformations over the course of their four year careers.  A two-year starter at point guard, Sullivan will be the catalyst for the Denison offense and the coach on the floor that seventh year head coach Bob Ghiloni will turn to.  Stuhlfauth's leadership comes directly from the example he has set for the younger members of the Big Red squad.  A 6'7" project when he arrived on campus in 2005, has developed into one of the conference most improved players.  Like Sullivan, he is poised to end his senior season on a positive note.

"Pat and Jeremy really have kind of a good cop-bad cop thing going as captains," noted Ghiloni.  "Sully has no problem riding the rest of the team and pushing them to their limit and Jeremy is there leading by example and providing friendship and mentoring to our younger guys."

Sullivan led the team in scoring last season at 10.6 ppg and was an honorable mention All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection.  Stuhlfauth averaged 6.6 ppg and led the team with 21 blocked shots.

Other returning starters include junior Chris Luther (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) and Caleb McFerren (Zanesville, Ohio/Zanesville) and sophomore Larry Farmer (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township).  Luther shot a team-best 43 percent from 3-point range and was second on the team in scoring at 9.6 ppg.  Ghiloni loves the tools that Luther brings to the table.

"Chris has become so much more aggressive and assertive out there," said Ghiloni.  "He can play in the post or out on the perimeter and his 3-point shooting and rebounding abilities are outstanding."   

Both McFerren and Farmer will be getting a bit of a late start to their second season's with the Big Red basketball team.  McFerren is coming off a 6-4 campaign with the DU football team where he started 10 games at safety.  Farmer is nursing a wrist injury that has kept him sidelined through a majority of the preseason.  Their presence on the floor is imperative once the conference schedule kicks into high gear.

Other returnees include sophomore guards Tommy Simon (Birmingham, Mich./Seaholm) and Pat Heery (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) and 6'6" post Jon Johnson (Johnstown, Ohio/Northridge).

Ghiloni and his staff may return eight players from a year ago but they are finding themselves outnumbered by a strong class of 11 first-year players.

Some of those looking to make an immediate impact as rookies include Jim Leffew (Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach), Casey Stockton (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer), Mike Garabedian (LaGrange, Ill./Nazareth Academy), Josh Luechtag (Houston, Texas/Lamar) and Marr Mansfield (Westerville, Ohio/Central).

Working that many freshman into the mix can be difficult, but Ghiloni has been pleased with the transition these young players have made to the college game.

"It hasn't been nearly as trying as I though it would be," noted Ghiloni.  "Most of these kids come from a winning background and this is a talented class that is pushing the group and making everyone around them better."

Denison's season will kick off on their home court for the first time since 1994-95 when they host the 2008 Sodexo Classic featuring Hanover College and Goshen College.  The Big Red will open the three-game invitational on Friday night (Nov. 21) against Goshen and will close out the tip-off tournament on Sunday (Nov. 23) against Hanover at 3:30 p.m.