Nine returnees familiar with the complicated, patient approach of coach Mike Holmes’ basketball system at Southwestern make for a much different situation than this time a year ago.

Only one sophomore was in the regular rotation last season — Keenan Joiner. While he was a tenacious defender and tireless rebounder, the fact that nine players are in camp with a year in the Spartan system lends optimism as the season tips off tonight at William Penn JV. The home opener is 7:30 p.m. Wednesday against North Central Missouri.

“With nine back, the more complex the system, the better that is, and the worse it is when you have the one back, like we did last year,” Holmes said. “We had once in a lifetime circumstances last year. If we lose a guy in May or June, we can do something about it. But when you lose someone in August, and we lost three in August, there’s nothing you can do about that.”