For the 2009-2010 Prairie Fire men's basketball team, this season is about "getting back to basics" as head coach Rob Purlee put it. The team will look to spread the floor on offense, utilizing a system that will allow the Prairie Fire's "athletes to be athletes" and their "basketball players to play basketball". The 2009 edition of Knox basketball will also sport a new commitment to defense, in hopes of shutting down the top competition in the Midwest Conference.

Youth is once again one of the major story lines for this year's team, as the men's team graduated five seniors from a year ago, and have no seniors on this year's team. However, many of the younger players have gained valuable game experience along the way, with a nucleus of returning players who have played consistent minutes in each season in which they've played at Knox.

Leading the way for the 2009-2010 Prairie Fire will be captains Peter Cain and Matt Goedeke. Cain, a junior guard from Redlands, California will have an expanded role this season after coming off the bench most of last season. In order for Knox to be successful in 2009, Coach Purlee believes the Prairie Fire will need Cain to play "poised", as he is a player who has earned the "respect of his teammates because of his character", while playing hard "each and every play, every chance he gets." Goedeke, a junior forward from Yates City, Illinois, returns after a sophomore season in which he was named to the 2008 All Conference honorable mention team, and led the Prairie Fire in scoring (13.4 points per game) and finished second on the team in rebounds (5.5 rebounds per game). Coach Purlee once again expects big things of Goedeke, saying "were looking forward to seeing if (Goedeke) can take the next step...He certainly has game experience, comes from a great program and has paid his dues. We are looking forward to watching him grow."

Courtney Jude, Roger Ortiz, and Charlie Tokar are the remaining upperclassmen returning for the Prairie Fire. Jude, a junior guard from Country Club Hills, Illinois will be given a chance to contribute after seeing limited playing time a year ago. Ortiz, a junior guard from Houston, Texas will compete for a starting spot, as his court vision and unselfish play make him an asset in any line up. Tokar, a junior forward from Chicago Ridge, Illinois, will look to provide his size and strength down low, grabbing rebounds and loose balls for the Prairie Fire.

"One key to any young team is how their players grow from their first year to their second year of collegiate basketball. Typically that's where an individual stands to grow the most" says Coach Rob Purlee. Prairie Fire basketball fans will need to look no further than this year's sophomore class for examples as to what Purlee means with his aforementioned statement, led by sophomores Ben Weatherbee and Joe Kozak. Weatherbee, a guard from Sydney, Australia, returns to the Prairie Fire after finishing second on the team in scoring (12.4 points per game)and second on the team in minutes played(628). Coach Purlee believes that Weatherbee has room to grow, and is excited to watch his development saying, "Last year we saw Goedeke take a big step from his first year to his second year. What kind of step is Ben going to take? Is it a "step" or a "leap"...He worked his tail off, he stayed around to work out over the summer...as a staff were anxious to find out." Joe Kozak, a sophomore forward from Park Ridge, Illinois comes off a freshman season in which he averaged 6.6 points per game and 3.7 rebounds per game. Kozak started out quickly at the beginning of last season, tapering off after the wear and tear of a full collegiate season forced him to a limited role mid season. However, Purlee believes Joe "can play a large role in what we want to accomplish here", as Kozak continues to "grow every day" as a player.

Clarke Cuthbert, Jacob Lewis, Alex Schobert and Jack Moore finish out the sophomore class for the Prairie Fire. Cuthbert, a guard and forward from Oak Park, Illinois is one of the best athletes on team, and one of the toughest. Lewis, a guard from Bloomington, Illinois will be looked upon to knock down key three pointers, as he is the "3 point specialist" for the '09 Prairie Fire. Schobert, a 6 foot 6 forward from Belleville, Illinois, will look to add depth and size down low for the Prairie Fire, as will Jack Moore, a 6 foot 7 forward from Chicago, Illinois returning after injuries forced him to sit out most of his freshman season.

The incoming freshman class for the 2009 Prairie Fire is comprised of four new additions. Yazin Akkawi, Ian Horvath, Lukas Shaw and Mike Hendrick will look to gain valuable game experience and learn from their coaches and teammates while growing in their first years at Knox.