Scouting Buffalo Grove boys basketball

Buffalo Grove

Coach: Ryan O'Connor (11th year, 166-111)

Last year: 17-11, 7-3 (T2nd East)

Key losses: Kevin Mulligan (two-time all-area G, 12.6 ppg), John Angotti (6.6 ppg), Mike Cornely (9.9 ppg).

Returnees: Seniors Nick Prus (6-4, all-area G, 13.9 ppg, 65 3s), Dan Recht (6-3, F, 5.9 ppg), Jeff Zabrin (5-9, G, 6.4 ppg, 38 3s), Kevin Tennenbaum (6-6, F-C), Brian Akialis (6-2, F), Steve Ellingsen (6-1, G), Tom Ricciardi (6-1, G); junior Sam Wacker (6-7, F-C, 3 ppg)

Newcomers: Juniors Richie Zirngibl (6-0, G), Evan Dumstorf (6-3, F), Alex Fritz (5-10, G), Milan Nesic (6-0, G), Ryan Inlow (6-2, F); sophomore Luke Potnick (6-0, G)

Outlook: The Bison hope Mulligan, Angotti and Cornely left a legacy that has been a key in six straight seasons with winning records and top-two East finishes. “We definitely lost some guys who were really tough for us last year, and we have to have some guys step up and collectively find that within themselves,” O'Connor said. “If they bring some of that toughness their skill level can be even better.” O'Connor said Prus, one of the area's top offensive threats, has been stronger with the ball and better at playing through more physical defenders. Wacker has improved at both ends and Zabrin, another good shooter, and Zirngibl could be a solid guard combo. “I think we have a chance to be really good up front defensively,” O'Connor said. Recht is a versatile defender, Akialis does a lot of dirty work and Ricciardi, Tennenbaum and Potnick add depth. “I'd like to think we'll be in the mix,” O'Connor said of a program with five East titles since 2002.