Coach: Mark Thurlow (11th year)

Last year’s record: 5-13

Returning players: Seniors — Dan Vaughn (6-1 forward), Ben Field (6-5 forward), Elek Pew (6-0 forward), T.J. O’Connor (6-0 guard/forward), Zach Brands (5-10 guard); Juniors — Dan Whitney (5-10 guard), Corey Howard (6-3 forward), Drew Wilson (6-0 guard).

Key losses: None.

Promising newcomers: None.

Outlook: Telstar returns everyone, including four-year starter Vaughn, one of the top players in the MVC. Field, Brands, Pew and O’Connor each have contributed for three years. The Rebels’ bugaboo last year was the road, where they won only one game and struggled even against teams in the lower echelon of the league. Being able to sweep that caliber of opponent is key to their tournament hopes. Thurlow tested his club with a preseason schedule that included Class A Oxford Hills and an alumni game featuring recent 1,000-point scorers Kinsey Durgin and Sean Caddigan.

Coach’s comment: “The first five games are big. A lot of old coaches say you make the tournament in December.” — Coach Mark Thurlow