UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS – The weather is getting colder, which means one thing, the winter sports season is coming soon. And for the John Carroll Men's Basketball program, a season of massive change is ahead of them. 

In the first year in the North Coast Athletic Conference, the Blue Streaks introduced themselves with authority, totaling a 23-7 record, winning the NCAC Tournament title, and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

This season, the NCAC preseason coaches poll projects the Blue Streaks to finish second in the conference. 

Of course, though, you can't talk about last season without mentioning the historic year Luke Chicone had, setting new single season records in points, assists, and steals. 

Chicone isn't the only starter the Blue Streaks lost, as Sean Collins and Kasey Hunt also walked across the graduation stage. Hunt averaged 14.0 points per game, which was second highest on the team behind Chicone's 23.7 per game. Sean Collins provided a steady presence in the paint averaging 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds. With the average of 44 points per game combined, along with Chicone's 6.4 assists per game, John Carroll has lost well over half of its offensive output from last season, something that will need to be addressed by game #1. 

"Replacing 50 percent of our scoring from last year won't be on the shoulders of one or two guys, it will be a collective effort," said Head Coach Pete Moran '08 regarding last year's graduating class.

Luckily for the Blue Streaks, there is a bevy of production returning, highlighted by senior captains Aidan Fitzgerald, Brandon Rose, and Kyle Irwin. 

"We are really excited about how this group plays," said Moran, "It's 100% a testament to our senior captains: Fitzy, Irwin, B Rose, and Aiden Ramsden, they're the ones that set the tone."

Fitzgerald and Irwin were starters all of last season and Rose was often one of the first guys off the bench providing a spark for the Blue Streaks on both ends of the court. The trio averaged a combined 21.3 points per game in last year's high paced offense. 

Justin Chapman and Lucas Perusek are back for year two after transferring into John Carroll prior to last season. Chapman played a huge role as the first big off the bench and provided some key highlights to the Blue Streaks performance last season.

After dealing with a lingering knee injury last season that saw him inactive or on a minutes restriction, Perusek is ready to prove that he is one of the most athletic and best defensive guards in the conference.  

An addition to the roster comes as likely starter Sam Marbury, a Solon product and transfer from Division II Saint Martin University. The 6'5 wing has an elite ability to stretch the floor as an outside shooter while often being able to find his way to the basket for two. 

"Having Perusek healthy is huge, pairing that up with the addition of Sam Marbury gives us significant opportunities to utilize different lineups," Stated Coach Moran while talking about Perusek and Marbury.

Ryan Ioppolo, a guard with a posterizing-dunk ability along with an elite shot from deep, rounds out this elite senior class.

The wildly talented Saint Ignatius duo of Jack Zapolnik and Mike Lamirand is back as well.

Zapolnik has the rare ability to shoot from anywhere on the court. He rattled off a career high 27 points in a win at Oberlin last season. Lamirand has the ability to get to the rim and finish through contact paired with a well above average catch and shoot ability from deep. The junior tallied a career high 22 points in last year's NCAA Tournament First Round win over Grinnell.

It is very hard to mention one without talking about the other as the chemistry between these two is almost impossible to ignore. When on the court together, it is very easy to recognize that these two have spent many years sharing the floor. Do not be surprised if both find their way into the starting lineup come seasons start. 

The biggest name to watch out of the sophomore class is Drew Styers, a strong defender with an extremely impressive rebounding ability you don't always find in a guard. 

"Excited to see guys such as Lamirand, Zapolnik, and Drew step up and provide defensive toughness and scoring," said Moran, talking about who will be needed to step up this season. 

After an offseason full of losses it's important to make crucial additions, and one of the biggest for the Blue Streaks was adding Chase Toppin '25 to the coaching staff. As a player, Toppin was a 4-year starter and 2-time captain. In his time, he was a two-time All-OAC pick while helping lead the Blue Streaks to 3 conference championships and 3 NCAA Tournament appearances. 

"I feel blessed to be back at a program that gave me so much," said Toppin. "I had a lot of success here and I am extremely grateful I get to give back to future generations now." 

Once again, this Blue Streaks squad provides plenty of depth, the exact thing the Streaks need for their 5 in, 5 out high paced style of play. 

The Blue Streaks kick off their season at the Pitt-Bradford Tournament when they face off against Franciscan University on Friday, November 6 at 7 pm. 

Follow along all season long at jcusports.com or by way of our mobile app!