THE Stirling Senators missed the Men's SBL playoffs in 2015 but not only do they look like taking part in post-season action under Mike Ellis in 2016, but they appear capable of being genuine title contenders.

There is no bigger name in WA basketball than the Ellis one and now father and son will team together with the Senators as they look to have a big impact on the Men's SBL season.

Mike returns to the coaching hot seat with the Senators looking to get the team back on track following a 10th place finish in 2015 with a 10-16 record.

Stirling has missed the playoffs in three of the last four seasons now but the Senators are determined to do something about that.

Cody Ellis is back as an even more experienced and well-rounded player following a strong second half of the NBL season with the Illawarra Hawks.

He put up 25.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists a game in 20 appearances in the SBL last season, but there's every reason he can put up better numbers and be more efficient another year on.

While the Senators have lost Jordan Wild who has returned home and Josh Throns who has gone to Wayland Baptist University to play under Ty Harrelson, it does appear a vastly improved roster.

Kyle Lindbergh is back again as the import after putting up 17.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists a game in 2015.

The signing of veteran Adrian Majstrovich also provides some size and experience inside for the Senators, and he still has plenty left in the tank.

Corban Wroe emerged as a capable player in the NBL when called upon this past season as he became a championship winner with the Perth Wildcats and as the starting point guard with Stirling, he is capable of running the team well.

Mark Riches also returns from college in the United States and with Ashley Litterick, Ryan Woodbury, Tom Witts and Jayden Coburn all back again it's a strong looking Stirling squad, but a season-ending knee injury to Nikolas Iliadis is disappointing.

At the SBL Blitz that was hosted at the exciting new facility, Stirling managed to record victories over the Country team as well as the Goldfields Giants and Kalamunda Eastern Suns while losing a tight one to the Perry Lakes Hawks.

The Senators begin their 2016 Men's SBL campaign at home at the new Warwick Stadium on Friday March 18 up against the Lakeside Lightning.

ROSTER
Ashley Litterick, Ryan Woodbury, Ty Cuperus, Austin Bruton, Adrian Majstrovich, Jay Thwaites, Jayden Coburn, Cody Ellis (restricted), Kyle Lindbergh (restricted), Tom Witts, Corban Wroe, Jason Hampton, Mark Riches
Coach – Mike Ellis

EXPERTS THOUGHTS
Championship winning coach – ADAM FORDE
PREDICTION – 1st
I’m going to go against everyone else on this and throw out the possibility that Stirling will finish on top of the ladder for 2016. And a lot of the weight of this bold prediction is based on the return of Cody Ellis and new recruit Corban Wroe.

Cody’s coming off a confidence boosting NBL season has shown he can get the scoreboard ticking over in high volume. While Corban, who is a pass first point guard with an aggressive ‘get up and in’ defensive mindset, will show everyone why he won AEC All-Defensive team in 2014 and 2015 while playing Division 1 for Hartford.

Plus with the coaching experience of Mike Ellis in charge, they have all the right makings to finish deep into post season.

MATT CECCINS
PREDICTION – 4th
A legend of WA basketball Mike Ellis has a lot of talent to mould and fit into his game plan as the head coach of the Senators. Corban Wroe is set to excel in the SBL and Cody Ellis and Kyle Lindbergh return to familiar surroundings. It’s now time for Ryan Woodbury and Ash Litterick to take their games to the next level.

ANONYMOUS
PREDICTION – 4th
There have been some exciting signings made by new coach, the legend Mike Ellis. Obviously his son Cody is back but with him still being restricted, the Senators wanted an 'import' quality unrestricted player and they found AJ Majstrovich. Josh Throns will be missed and Nik Iliadis has suddenly tore his ACL but the signing of Wildcats championship winning development player Corban Wroe is an underrated one. A starting five of Wroe, Bruton, Lindbergh, Ellis and Majstrovich looks good and they should be capable of pushing for a top four spot.

Article by Chris Pike