In theory, a roster with 16 players who are either first or second year players sounds like the basis for a rebuilding season.

But there are exceptions to every rule – and Hamline men's basketball coach Jim Hayes hopes the 2015-16 Pipers qualify in that regard.

"We were better in the second half of last season," Hayes notes, remembering that HU won six of its 11 games en route to an 11-14 overall mark. Included in that streak: a sweep of Augsburg, a win over a playoff team (Bethel) and a 2OT loss to a St. Olaf team that won 23 games last year and made the NCAA Tournament.

The Pipers also had wins over Concordia and St. John's – both of whom made the MIAC playoffs – as well as a win at Northwestern, who advanced to the NCAA D-III Sweet Sixteen last March.

Hayes hopes the memory of those games will serve as an inspiration for the Pipers, who open play Tuesday at Hutton Arena against Northwestern (8:00 p.m.)

"It's true we're young but these guys are not typical sophomores," he said. "They have already stepped into the leadership roles."

The Pipers have just one senior – F Herbert Tarpeh. A year ago, the 6-7 St. Michael, Minn. native averaged 2.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Part of that, however, can be attributed to the fact that All-MIAC pick Dior Ford (13.9 ppg) and Austin Johnson (11.0 ppg) did a lot of the offensive heavy lifting. Both have graduated and Hayes says Tarpeh will assume a larger role this season.

Dylan See-Rockers  is the lone junior who will be seeing playing time for now. The 6-3 guard started a dozen games last year and averaged nearly 50 percent from the field. (Nick Kampa, the team's other junior, suffered a broken collarbone playing for the HU football team and is out of action until at least Christmas.)

That leaves it to the second year players. Zach Smith (pictured) made the league's All-Rookie team last year, averaged nearly nine points per game. He started every game and, despite being 5-11, still snared 65 rebounds and was second on the team in assists with 62.

Quinton Garvis got better and better as last season went on. By the end of the year, he tied for the team lead in three-pointers and earned nine starts. The 6-2 guard is being looked at for bigger and better numbers this year.  TC Robinson is another soph, and scored 100 points while playing in all 25 games last year.

"We're quicker this year and probably more athletic," Hayes said. "We're a little undersized so we need to compensate for that with speed and quickness."

In addition to the large sophomore contingent, there are seven freshmen who hope to make a step up like Smith did last year.

Unfortunately for the Pipers, they will have to do some intense on-the-job training. In addition to the opener with the Eagles, the Pipers will go to Colorado Springs for a tournament where they will battle West Coast power Whitworth (ranked third in the country in the d3hoops.com preseason poll) and a Howard Payne team that won 15 games last year before plunging headlong into the rugged 20-game MIAC slate.

Referring to his players, Hayes said, "They know their strengths – and their weaknesses. But the way we played in the second half of last season should give them confidence."

One interesting change this season that will affect the Pipers – and everybody else – is the shot clock has been chopped from 35 to 30 seconds. "We have practiced with it," Hayes said. "It's an adjustment. It puts pressure on you not to waste an opportunity."

Let the new adventure begin.