The Lancaster Bible College men's basketball team is coming off the best season in program history. To those who are a part of the program or fans of the program, this is not breaking news. It was talked about as it happened, after it happened and through much of the summer. It is still on the minds of many students, parents and staff. The only group it doesn't seem to still resonate with, are the people who made it all happen. 

The 2016-17 version of the Lancaster Bible men's basketball team hasn't discussed last season very much, mostly because there aren't many people on the team who were around to see last season's success. Only Herbie Brown, Javon Cole and Bill Livezey return from last year, along with the entire coaching staff. And while last season was a great ride from October to March, it is in the past and an almost entirely new group will have its own style, both on and off the court.

The Chargers welcome 12 new players to mix, including some highly touted transfers and freshmen. Replacing program-changing players like CJ Dunston, Bryce Williams, Dondre Perry, Jordan Mellinger and Kurt Keltner, is no small task, but the incoming group is nothing to scoff at, as many of them have had success at previous schools, whether that be on the collegiate or high school level. 

The following is mixture of quotes, information, facts and figures to get everyone prepared for another great season of Lancaster Bible men's basketball. It should be another fun one. Buckle up and enjoy the ride...

So Long, Farewell: In addition to Dunston, Williams, Perry, Mellinger and Keltner, the Chargers also said goodbye to Emmitt Miller, Tyler Baughman, Luke Roundy, Nick Monroe, Jon Bird, Tyler Constein and Marquis Boone...With those 12 goes 88 percent of last season's offensive production...The Chargers' 94.2 points last season were the seventh-most in NCAA Division III and the team's +22.2 scoring margin was the second-best mark.

Welcome, Welcome: Despite so much of the offense from last season departing, Head Coach Zach Filzen has done a terrific job in finding what he thinks to be replacements for each point...Joining the Chargers for 2016-17 are Micah Brown (Jr. - Messiah), Jason Kuntzelman (So. - Cairn), Bailey Mills (Jr., - Wheeling Jesuit), Austin Feaster (Jr. - Multnomah), Danny Jackson (Jr.), Austin Brown (So. -  West Virginia Wesleyan), Alex Whitt (So. - Lakeland (Wis.)), Luke Beers (Fr.), Jared Steiner (Sr.), Brett Cataudella (Fr.), Matt Whipple (Fr.), Bryce Reed (Fr.).

What Can Brown Do for You: Herbie Brown, Micah Brown and Austin Brown will all be featured players for the Chargers this season as the trio will be looked upon to provide solid play on both ends of the floor...Junior Herbie Brown, one of the three returners from last season, has had two solid years for the Chargers, including last season when he averaged 9.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game...The sixth man specialist over the past two seasons will now start and be looked upon even more to provide a spark for Lancaster Bible...Micah Brown, a transfer from Messiah, averaged 11.6 points per game for the Falcons last season and added 2.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals as well per contest...Austin Brown, meanwhile, will look to get his groove back as he took last season off...Brown, a 6-foot, 5-inch forward, has a different style than Dunston, but could be next in line to provide solid minutes on both ends of the floor at the forward position.

Rag Tag Bunch: The rest of the newcomers bring a variety of things to table...Kuntzelman was second on the team in scoring at Cairn last season, before an injury ended his year after 12 games...He averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game and had a career-high 28 points against Immaculata on Nov. 24...Only Williams topped 28 points in a game last season for the Chargers...Whitt's athleticism is something Filzen is excited about as he can play both guard and forward at 6-foot, 4-inches...Cataudella plays every bit like a 6-foot, 8-inch forward and will be helpful on both ends of the floor...Reed and Beers are both athletic and will provide solid contributions all season long...Returners Livezey and Cole will see their roles expanded this season as well, as the guards will provide leadership both on and off the floor for the young Chargers...The other players have already made their mark as well as many of them will see time in various roles and the competition for each job has been intense during the preseason.

The Man with the Plan: Head Coach Zach Filzen is impressed with the group already and had the following things to say as the team prepares for the season opener...

On the New Guys: "I'm enjoying coaching the group and they are working hard. They are buying in to both the basketball part and the culture aspect of this team. The returners have embraced them and they are a good group on and off the court."

On the Style of Play: "Our style will be similar to last season, but with tweaks to fit our personnel. We need to be better in the half court, both offensively and defensively and I think we will be. We are still going to get up and down the court, just a little differently than last season."

On the Team's Early Season Play: "We want to be playing our best basketball in late January and into February and March, but it's important to compete and learn early in the season and earn some victories. We were a great team last season, but looking back, I believe we peaked a bit too early and struggled down the stretch a few times. I don't want that to happen again, so it's important for us to keep learning and keep growing."

On this Season's Expectations: "I think we can accomplish great things. The expectations of competing for a NEAC Championship and earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament remain the same. We don't talk about going undefeated like last season, but I think the goals we have set for ourselves are within reach."

Oh, the Places You'll Go!: Lancaster Bible will play 15 road games this season, including stops at Franklin & Marshall and Susquehanna, both of whom are ranked in the top-25 to begin the season...The Chargers will also play at Juniata and a neutral site game against either St. Vincent or York (Pa.)...Lancaster Bible ends its regular season with back-to-back games at SUNY Polytechnic and SUNY Cobleskill and makes two trips to New York this season with stops at Keuka and Wells late in January.

Opening Act: While not discussing last season is the talk of the town, it's hard to ignore that Lancaster Bible's 2015-16 season was jump-started by its impressive victory over Franklin & Marshall in its third game of the year...The 94-66 win against the Diplomats was felt up and down the ranks of NCAA Division III and got people talking all around the country, especially in Lancaster County...The Chargers will hope to find the same magic on opening night as the Chargers travel a few miles away to the Mayser Center to face Franklin & Marshall on Friday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m...The game is part of the Lancaster Rotary Tip-Off Tournament and the Chargers will play St. Vincent or York (Pa.) on Saturday, November 19, depending on the outcome of Friday's game.

Follow the Chargers: Lancaster Bible's home games will once again be broadcast on the Chargers Sports Network and can be found HERE...Road games will have a variety of live video and live stats and can be accessed via the schedule page HERE...Also stay up on things via our social media accounts, specifically TWITTER, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM.