HELENA, Mont. -- A new coach. The bulk of last year's rosters. And sky-high expectations. 

The Carroll College men's basketball team is energized and excited heading into the 2018-19 campaign. It's the first season under head coach Kurt Paulson, who replaced Dr. Carson Cunningham after the former head coach moved up to NCAA D-I University of Incarnate Word. 

Paulson, who last served as the Director of Basketball Operations at Oregon State, brings a high hoops IQ, a deep knowledge of the Frontier Conference -- having played on some of the most successful teams in Carroll College hoops history -- and an enthusiasm that may be unmatched.

The Saints open the season on Thursday against Stone Child College. 

"I know the guys are excited to play another team instead of each other in practice," Paulson said. "We just need to channel that positive energy and focus on the game plan and play with each other and play off each other and have fun. I know we'll play hard."

Carroll graduated NAIA Player of the Year Ryan Imhoff and four other seniors, but return three starters and contributors with a ton of playing experience. With so many players back from a team that won the Frontier Conference regular season and postseason championships while posting a 28-6 record, the expectation, naturally, is to chase another crown. 

"There's high expectations for the guys, from themselves, and then also from myself and from the fan base," Paulson said. "That's a good situation to come into. We're going to take it one game at a time and one day at a time and try to not get too far ahead of ourselves."

Here's a player by player look at the Saints roster heading into the 2018-19 season.

SENIORS

Match Burnham
Spangle, Washington
6-8 forward
Stats last season: 12.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 47% FG, 45% 3-pt, 89% FT, 34 GS
2018 NAIA All-American Honorable Mention
2018 Frontier All-Conference Second Team
Coach's thoughts: "He's a great three-point shooter but we're also going to look to put him on the block a lot more this year and get some inside touches. He's also put a lot of work in the weight room this summer and added 10-12 pounds of muscle. He'll have to play a lot inside this year." 

Matt Wyman
Great Falls, Montana
6-7 guard
Stats last season: 12 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 61% FG, 31% 3-pt, 81% FT, 34 GS
2018 Frontier All-Conference Honorable Mention
Coach's thoughts: "Looking to have a great senior year. Another versatile player. Extremely long and athletic. He's a smart player. Looking to go to dental school. Very excited about his season. He'll have a breakout year. He's another leader for us. He can defend one through five also. He runs the floor. He can post up. He can handle the ball. He can shoot. He's so well rounded.

Ife Kalejaiye
Rancho Palos Verdes, California
6-2 guard
Stats last season: 8.2 ppg, 3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 48% FG, 44% 3-pt, 89% FT, 34 GS
2018 Frontier All-Conference Honorable Mention
Coach's thoughts: "Ife Kalejaiye is arguably the best perimeter defender in our league. He's kind of a lead by example guy. He's an elite defender. He's a good shooter. He's a leader. He's a fine young man. He's everything you want in a captain." 

Alejandro Santos Piqueras
Madrid, Spain
6-8 forward
Stats last season: 5.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 52% FG, 35% 3-pt, 82% 3-pt, 34 GP
Coach's thoughts: "Alejandro Santos Piqueras is a very unique player. Exciting. He's a big, strong kid. He'll be a fifth year senior. Looking for a big year out of him. He can really pass. His shooting has come a long ways. Very good shooter. He's just a mismatch. He can handle the ball, he can shoot, he can post up. He can defend one through five. He did a ton of work in the offseason, too." 

JUNIORS

Dane Warp
Havre, Montana
6-4 guard
Stats last season: 6.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 62% FG, 44% 3-pt, 74% FT, 31 GP
Coach's thoughts: "Dane is going to be having an exciting season. He really gets out in transition and bring some athleticism to the hoop. He can shoot. He has a scorer's mentality. He's another smart player. He's a pre-med student."

Thomas Austefjord
Rocklin, California
6-4 forward
Stats last season (Yuba CC): 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 42.9 FG%
Coach's thoughts: "He's going to bring a lot of hustle and energy and leadership and toughness. He's a great rebounder and defender, passer. He's going to add some physical play. He can play inside and outside. He's not the tallest player, but he plays about 6-6 even though he's 6-4. He's a great passer so we'll put him up in the high post."

SOPHOMORES
Brad King
Dromana, Australia
6-8 forward
Stats last season: 2.1 ppg, 1 rpg, 3.5 mpg, 14 GP
Coach's thoughts: "He added some muscle. He looks good. He's running the floor well this year. We got to keep him learning down in the post and use his footwork and use angles. He'll be a capable scorer in the block for us as well as a big body defender. We need him to be present down there, rebounding  defending, boxing out, setting screens and hitting jump hooks." 

Emilio Mancol
Renton, Washington
5-9 guard
Stats last season: 18 GP, 6.3 mpg
Coach's thoughts: "Emilio Mancol is a great ball handler and he's very quick. He's really developed a nice three-point shot. We need him to penetrate the gaps and distribute from the guard position."

Chase Burnham
Spangle, Washington
6-3 guard
Stats last season: 9 GP, 5.3 mpg
Coach's thoughts: "Chase Burnham is a very good athlete and plays super hard. He's really going to help us on defense and rebounding. Chase has worked real hard in the offseason."

FRESHMAN
Shamrock Campbell
Spokane, Washington
6-1 guard
Coach's thoughts: "He's a pure point guard. We're looking for big things out of Shamrock. He's still learning but he's just well coached in high school. He's coming in as a freshman but he's physical and strong on defense and he really passes the ball well. He's a great shooter from three. He's got a good pull-up jumper."

Jovan Sljivancanin
Belgrade, Serbia
6-5 forward
Coach's thoughts: "Jovan is left handed and he's from Serbia via Las Vegas. He did two years of high school in Las Vegas. He's a great three-point shooter. Really strong. He's about 6-5 and has big hands. He's a really good rebounder for a guard. He can score."

Eetu Villa
Helsinki, Finland
6-7 forward
Coach's thoughts: "He's coming over as a freshman and great three-point shooter. Can stretch the defense and really long. Fairly athletic. Still learning. Tons of potential."

Danny Oliver-Connelly
Boise, Idaho
6-4 forward
Coach's thoughts: "Danny's a great kid. He's kind of a wing type. Good player. Well coached in high school."

Jaedon Lieberg
Helena, Montana
6-3 guard
Coach's thoughts: "He has a great attitude. Very physical body. Can get to the rim. Very athletic. He can get up and dunk it. We're happy to have him with us. He's going to do great things."