After placing second in the OUA West Divison last year with an 11-10 record, the Mustangs return with a revised roster for the 2016-17 season.

The Mustangs roster consists of returning players and six new faces after the departure of five key athletes. Leading the returning corps is returning is Jedson Tavernier, a member of the OUA All-Rookie team in 2014-15, who recorded 5.6 points per game and started 11 games last season. Nikola Farkic can also be expected to continue making an impact after carving out a spot in the starting lineup in his introductory season.

Fans may also see a familiar face in Cameron Morris, who makes his return to the court after taking a one-year break from the team, recording 4.4 points and 2.0 rebounds per game in the 2014-15 season.

Among the new faces of this season are rookies Tyler Thomson, who was awarded the George Hillesheim award as a top basketball player with his previous Niagara Falls team, and Daniil Shesterinin who played a part in the Bishop Reding Royal's championship position last season.

With both new blood and experienced veterans on the roster, the 2016-17 season should see a strong purple and white contingent. The team's first official test comes this Saturday, when they host Guelph for season-opening action. 

Western vs. Guelph - Saturday, November 5 at 8:00 p.m. - Watch live on OUA.tv.

Last time Western and Guelph met on the court the Gryphons walked away with an 81-68 victory, while 2014-15 saw a purple and white victory. The two schools have only become increasingly competitive with each other across all areas since their last meeting, so Saturday's matchup will be fueled by rivalry as well as a desire to begin the season with a 1-0 record.

The Gryphons fell short of playoff position last season, finishing fourth in the OUA Central Division with a 9-10 record.

The team has a number of returning veterans on the roster, including fourth year players Jonathan Wallace and Daniel Dooley who recorded 14.2 and 12.7 points per game last season, respectively. Ahmeed Harood led the Gryphons under the basket last season with his 5.3 rebound average - 4.2 of which were defensive – and returns as one of the team's preeminent threats.

Guelph also added seven new faces, including Aaron Nugent who debuted on the Gryphon scoresheet with 10 points and going 2-2 beyond the arc in their final preseason game last week. Other rookies that are likely to make an appearance throughout the season are Jordan Sobot, Craig Valeriote, and Shawn Carey.