THE loss of Taylor and Jordan Wild will without question hurt the Stirling Senators women's and men's SBL teams in 2015 but there is still plenty of talent in both groups that should see them seriously contend for playoff spots again.

Both the Senators men's and women's SBL teams made the playoffs in 2014 but the result of the gains and losses game over the off-season won't be fully known until the 2015 campaign unfolds.

Stirling's women finished the 2014 regular season in sixth position before losing to the Joondalup Wolves in the quarter finals, and now they have had a significant player turnover and change in coach for the 2015 campaign.

Robbie Butt is at the helm replacing 2013 women's SBL Coach of the Year Glenn Ellis.

While the Senators will certainly miss the production of Wild who averaged 16.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists last season with Taylor Bestry and Lyndal Gardner also moving on, Amber Land and her 11.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals remain in 2015 along with everything that Tegan Walker and Emma Berryman provide.

That still gives the Senators plenty to work with and new import Cassie Bates does appear to be an exciting signing.

Bates is a combo guard who can be equally effective at both ends of the floor, and she has a strong reputation she brings to the Senators with her having been both MVP and First Team All-Coast Conference Player during her college career at Carson-Newman University.

Butt still has good experience and talent to work with in the Senators' outfit for 2015, and they should stay in the running for a playoff berth.

The Stirling men, meanwhile, finished the regular season in 2014 in fifth position on the back of a five-game winning streak to end up with a 16-10 record setting up a quarter-final showdown with the defending champion Lakeside Lightning, which they ended up losing.

Now the Senators have lost last year's imports Cory Cooperwood and Jordan Wild while Josh Throns will miss at least half the season while attending college in the United States.

However, Cody Ellis returns for a full season after his first full season in the NBL with the Sydney Kings with exciting import Kyle Lindbergh also on board to give coach David Lindstrom talent to work with.

Lindbergh joins the Senators fresh off completing his senior year at Dort College where he average over 17 points and 11 rebounds a game where he was named a First Team All American while receiving the Conference Defensive Player of the Year award.

The 6'7 forward now begins his post-college career in the SBL with Stirling and looks to be a player capable of having a significant impact with his ability to score both inside and outside while also defensive multiple positions on the floor.

He does have big shoes to fill, though, as the lone import on the team and having to help make up for what is lost in the absence of Wild and Cooperwood, who combined to average 39.3 points, 21.6 rebounds and 8.3 assists a game in 2014.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
MEN

STEPHEN CHARLTON
Loss of 1 import due to Ellis being restricted and Throns to college will impact here big time. Big improvers over the last couple of years and this might look a horrible step back. But you can't replace those guys over night. Coach Lindstrom will coach up the new kids and they will be tough again, but depth and proven quality should be their Achilles.

My Prediction: 11th

MATT CECINS
For the Senators they obviously have two big losses in Cooperwood and Wild who were the driving force on both ends of the floor last season. Cody Ellis returns for Stirling, and the performance of new import Kyle Lindbergh will dictate whether they make the playoffs or not.

My Prediction: 8th

CHRIS PIKE
Cody Ellis will play as a restricted player this season after his season with the Sydney Kings and they have added import Kyle Lindbergh. Josh Throns should return from college and add more offensive firepower halfway through the year. Lindstrom is a top coach and will have his team fighting for a playoffs spot.

My Prediction: 8th

WOMEN

CRAIG MANSFIELD
I don’t rank them here with any confidence. They lose significant experience and creativity with the change in coach as well as Lily-Wild, Bestry and Gardner. If the Blitz tournament is any indication the import guard will help with intensity and defence but doesn’t appear to add any scoring punch in the half court. There will be big responsibility on Land, Walker and Berryman to perform for them to be successful, and all three had strong seasons in 2014, but how other coaches and teams defend them will totally change without the space that the shooting of Lily-Wild and Gardner provided.

My Prediction: 8th

MATT CECINS
The loss of Wild, Gardner and Bestry will be obvious; however Amber Land and Tegan Walker are fantastic leaders. New Head Coach Robbie Butt will have his work cut out for him and the Senators could have a few issues on the defensive end of the floor.

My Prediction: 6th

CHRIS PIKE
A lot will rely on their second import Cassie Bates who will be the replacement for Taylor Wild this season and work in tandem with Amber Land.

My Prediction: 7th