Limestone's Anthony Middleton will return to his natural big forward position after playing center last season. With several talented newcomers, team chemistry is a work in progress.

But there is no question about the Limestone Saints’ talent.

“The talent level is so much better this year,” Limestone men’s basketball coach Brandon Scott said. “We are a lot more athletic.”

The Saints are coming off a 10-19 season and didn’t receive a lot of respect from the conference coaches, who voted them to finish eighth in a preseason poll.

But Scott is optimistic the Saints will turn heads this year.

“I’m thrilled,” he said. “We’ll be fun to watch. I can’t wait but it might take time to gell.”

The Saints return four starters, but two of those starters, Tyrone Evans and Anthony Middleton, will move to their natural small and big forward positions. Last year, they were undersized as the Saints’ four and five men.

Sophomore Stewart Clark returns to run the point. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by Michael Barrett, who finished second in the balloting for freshman of the year last season.

The new starter is 6-6 junior Danny Friend, who redshirted last year.

Another redshirt Jarrell Douglas will provide bulk up front at 6-5, 225 lbs.

Nick Debnam, a 6-3 sophomore point guard, and Joe Raga, a 6-6 wing from Tampa, Fla., and bigman Charles Blue will be the first players off the bench.

Guards Brandon Long and Kenny Fluellen also will compete for playing time.

The Saints will play at Winthrop University Saturday in an exhibition game before tipping off the regular season on Friday, Nov. 20 at Queens against Lenior-Rhyne and Wingate on Saturday, Nov. 21.