Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1181012
Sunday, November 3, 2019 19 Northwest Arkansas Basketball UAFS has new coach, new look, new conference FORT SMITH — Things are looking a lot different for the University of Ar- kansas-Fort Smith men's basketball team heading into this season. The program has a new coach in veteran Jim Boone, a mostly new ros- ter and the team enters its first season playing in the Lone Star Conference. "If you want to talk about new, we are all about new," Boone said with a laugh. "We are looking at new faces in a new institution, a new system and a new league. There has been a lot of change. This group has embraced it and has worked hard." Boone, hired back in April, takes over the men's program after the Lions fin- ished 10-19 and 4-12 in conference play a season ago. This won't be the first time Boone has been a part of a rebuilding process. He has 558 career wins, 14th most in NCAA Division II, and his teams have won seven conference championships, four tournament titles and have made 11 postseason appearances. Boone has guid- ed four different schools to the NCAA Tournament as well. "We've been a part of a lot of turn- arounds," Boone said. "There usually is resistance to change, but we haven't had that with this group. These guys have bought in and are focused. They want to play well." The Lions return two starters in se- nior guard Seth Hawley from Fort Smith Southside and senior forward Matt Mor- gan. Hawley brings back his average of 11 points scored per game, while Morgan had a team-high six rebounds and two blocks per game. Sophomore post David Ekezie, sopho- more forward Braden Boyer, sophomore guard Matiss Sivins and redshirt fresh- man Major Smith all return looking to make an impact as well. "We have some great pieces return- ing," Boone said. "We are excited to have those guys play a role in the season. I believe Seth's game fits what we do well. He is an outstanding shooter and a hard- nosed defensive player. Those are things we really value. Matt provides a lot on the defensive side of the ball for us as well." Boone was able to bring in a seven- man recruiting class that will play a big role in the Lions bouncing back from last season. It is headlined by junior guard Matthew Wilson from Farmington, ju- nior guard Charles Botchway and senior guard Brian Halums from Ole Miss. The Lions also will look for impact from first-year players in sophomore guard Daryl McElrath, junior forward Chris Rollins, freshman guard Evan Anderson and freshman forward Alex Brogdon. UAFS men's basketball schedule Date Opponent Time Nov. 9 .....................................Black Hills State! ........................... 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10 .................................Metropolitan State! ...............................4 p.m. Nov. 13 .....................................Central Baptist ............................. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 ........................... Texas A&M International* .................... 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 ..............................Texas A&M-Kingsville* ............................4 p.m. Nov. 30 ................................... Williams Baptist ..................................4 p.m. Dec. 3 ............................................ Harding ................................... 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 ............................................ Hendrix ................................... 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 ..............................at Oklahoma Christian* ............................4 p.m. Dec. 19 .............................at Eastern New Mexico* ..................... 6:30 p.m. Dec. 21 ............................... at West Texas A&M* ..............................4 p.m. Jan. 2 ....................................... at St. Mary's* .............................. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 ..................................... at St. Edward's* ..................................2 p.m. Jan. 9 .......................................Dallas Baptist* ............................. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11 ......................................... Tarleton* ........................................4 p.m. Jan. 16 ...........................at Texas A&M-Commerce* ................... 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 .......................................at UT Tyler* .....................................4 p.m. Jan. 23 ........................................ Cameron* ................................. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 ................................. Midwestern State* ................................4 p.m. Feb 1 ...................................Oklahoma Christian* ..............................4 p.m. Feb. 6 .............................. at Western New Mexico* ..................... 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 .................................at UT Permian Basin* .............................4 p.m. Feb. 13 .................................Lubbock Christian* ......................... 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 ..................................... Angelo State* ....................................4 p.m. Feb. 20 ............................... at Midwestern State* ........................ 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 ...................................... at Cameron* .....................................4 p.m. Feb. 27 .........................................UT Tyler* ................................. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 .............................Texas A&M-Commerce* ...........................4 p.m. Mar. 5-8 ................... Lone Star Conference Tournament ...................... TBA !Coca Cola Conference Challenge at the Stubblefield Center *Lone Star Conference game HAROLD MCILVAIN II SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE Photo courtesy of University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Senior guard Seth Hawley (center) is one of two returning starters for the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith men's basketball team this season. See UAFS, Page 20 Boone