DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's basketball team opens the 2015-16 from the comforts of home on Monday night as they host Edgewood College in a rematch of the 2014-15 season opener. Led by senior Mirko Grcic, the Duhawks are primed and ready to bring the basketball program back to glory.

ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST PRINCIPIA •••
Principia has yet to defeat the Duhawks in their young series, with Loras leading 3-0 entering into Thursday's match-up. Loras first met the Panthers in the 2012-2013 season, defeating them by a final score of 80-57.

LAST MEETING VERSUS PRINCIPIA •••
In 2014, the Duhawks got out to an early 43-15 lead over the Panthers, but a second half surge cut the Duhawks winning margin to 15, 66-51. Junior Justin VanWambeke led the Duhawks in just his third career start, tallying 13 points, three assists and three rebounds in 23 minutes of play. VanWambeke was hot from beyond the arc, hitting 3-of-6 shots from deep. Regan Takes and Sean Bourke each totaled a career-high nine points.

SCOUTING THE PANTHERS •••
The Panthers return each of their five starters from a season ago, which bodes well for the team in improving their overall record. Within those returners are SLIAC newcomer of the year Parker Davidson and second team All-SLIAC Justin Ball. Both of these players gave the Duhawks trouble last season, combining for 36 of the teams 51 points. Four of Principia's starters averaged over 10 points per game last season. As a whole the team will need to improve their shooting if they look to have success in 2015.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR AGAINST PRINCIPIA •••
Justin Ball and Parker Davidson will command the offense, being the Panthers top-two scoring threats heading into 2015. In an exhibition last week, the Panthers were led by Davidson who did a little bit of everything to the tune of 17 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Ball was a force in the middle and at 6-foot-8 will pose a threat to the Duhawks. Off the bench Principia has added Adaku Anumu, a transfer from Texas A&M International. In exhibition, Anumu scored 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Look for the Duhawks to amp up the defense with him on the floor.  Last season the Duhawks struggled in defending the long-ball and will need to turn things around in order to defeat team such as Principia who love to shoot.

ALL-TIME SERIES AGAINST WEBSTER •••
Last season the Duhawks faced off against Webster for the first time, losing in overtime by a final score of 92-88. Loras allowed the Gorloks to shoot 21 free throws, converting 17 of them.

LAST MEETING VERSUS WEBSTER •••
Loras was forced into overtime against the Gorloks last season, falling by a final score of 92-88. The Duhawks were outscored 16-12 in the extra period. Loras won the offensive battle in the first half, leading 38-32 at the break. Grcic, Schueller and VanWambeke led the Duhawks throughout the game, combining for 69 of the teams 88 points. Schueller's 24 marked a season-high for the senior.

SCOUTING THE GORLOKS •••
This season Webster has been chosen as the SLIAC pre-season favorite after finishing with a 13-5 record in conference last season. The Gorloks return three starters and five of their top eight scorers from a season ago. Webster did lose Ahmad Smith this offseason, but will look to Hunter Ward and C.J. Moore to pick up the slack. Ward was a second team All-SLIAC nominee last season after averaging 13 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Moore averaged 9.3 points per game last season on 53 percent shooting from the floor.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR AGAINST WEBSTER •••
Last season the Gorloks graduated their second all-time scorer in Ahmad Smith as well as the third leading scorer on the team in Aaron Griffin. This leaves hunter Ward as the lone 10 ppg scorer from a season ago. Ward is known for this three-point shoting ability which the Duhawks will need to counteract. Last season Loras had success going down low to Grcic, who finished with 28 points and 17 rebounds against the Gorloks. This season should be no different as the Gorloks don't have a player on their roster who can match Grcic's pure strength playing style. Especially coming from the power forward spot, the Gorloks will have to dedicate a big body to whoever starts at center for Loras. VanWambeke's athleticism will also come into play early and often, as he used to his advantage last season en route to scoring 17 points.

VANWAMBEKE LOOKING TO BUILD OFF SOPHOMORE SEASON •••
Junior guard Justin VanWambeke brought a different element to the Loras men's basketball team last season. For it being his first year with the program, VanWambeke made an immediate imapct filling in for the injured Nathaniel Smith. Making 19 starts, he averaged 11.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in 29.1 minutes on average. With a younger team expected to take the court this season, the Duhawks will lean on VanWambeke to improve his offensive numbers this season.

CONFERENCE PLAY IS KEY •••
Loras comes into this season with high hopes of improving their 10-15 overall record from last season. Early season injuries got Loras off to a slow start they struggled to recover from in conference play. Both injuries and inconsistant play led the Duhawks to a sub-.500 record in conference following an 8-6 record in the 2013-14 campaign.