Colorado College enters the 2013-14 season as one of the favorites in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, and head coach Andy Partee wouldn't want it any other way.
 
With four starters and 14 veterans returning from last year's squad that finished second in both the regular season standings and the conference tournament, it's no surprise that expectations are higher than ever for the Tigers.
 
In addition to experience and skill, what makes CC really dangerous is its depth and versatility.
 
"This team can go big or small, fast or slow, inside or outside," Partee said. "Our identity will be pretty much the same, but our chemistry will be a little different. It's up to the guys how they gel and mesh together."
 
Obviously, the catalyst is Ryan Milne, a two-time first-team all-conference selection. The senior point guard enters his final campaign ranked fourth in program history with 343 assists, ninth with 156 three-point baskets and 15th with 1,095 points.
 
"Seven years ago, I was dreaming about that kind of leadership," Partee said. "He's one of the elite players at the Division III level."
 
The Tigers also have a big-time presence in the paint in the form of Chris Lesnansky. Last year, the junior forward earned first-team all-SCAC honors after he ranked third in scoring (15.1), fifth in field-goal percentage (.483) and rebounding (6.9), and 12 in assists (1.7).
 
"Lesnansky is coming off of a great season and I'm expecting even more this year," Partee said. "He is very physical and plays with the competitive edge, but his maturity will make him even better."
 
Three other players – senior guard Jake Tramutolo, along with sophomores wings Justin Berardino and James Lonergan – have significant experience in the starting lineup.
 
Tramutolo started 20 games a year ago when he finished third on the team with 38 long-range buckets and was fifth averaging 5.5 points per game. He also ranks 15th with 115 career three-pointers.
 
Berardino started 18 of the 26 games in which he played. The versatile guard averaged 7.0 points per game, tied for second with 24 steals and was fifth with 17 assists. Lonergan, who made 11 starts, averaged 3.3 points per game, but showed what he was capable of doing when he exploded for 20 points at the University of Dallas.
 
Senior Dan Webb has made 19 starts in 75 career games, but has found his niche coming off the bench. He demonstrated his shooting range with a 4-for-4 performance from behind the arc in a victory over Dallas and was second on the team with eight blocked shots.
 
Sophomore forward Tyler Jonas, who played in all 27 games as a freshman, is a candidate to fill the void created by the graduation of forward Ian Rewoldt. Junior forwards Russell Clark and Joe Howard will provide size and depth on the baseline.
 
In the backcourt, senior Chris Mayo-Smith, along with sophomores Luke Winfield and Juwan Rohan, earned valuable experience last season.  Junior guards Ryan Kell and Doug Pierce also will be vying for additional playing time.
 
The Tigers have only two newcomers on this year's roster. Forward Mitch Carter could contribute immediately, while Ben Lerman will be CC's point guard in training.
 
"There is going to be tons of competition for minutes, especially at the guard positions," Partee said. "All the players want playing time, but they are more concerned with winning."
 
The season tips off on Nov. 23 with a neutral-site contest against the University of Puget Sound in Spokane, Wash. The Tigers will play eight non-conference games, including a contest at Division I University of Northern Colorado on Dec. 10, before beginning their conference schedule at Dallas on Jan. 4. 
  
"The championship goes through every city on our schedule, not just San Antonio, the site of the SCAC Championship," Partee said. "Every game is a championship game."