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22 2021 NWA COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW | 11.7.2021 going this season." Rollins truly shined in a breakout season and even played injured down the stretch. He nearly doubled all his counting statistics by averaging 15 points with a team-high eight rebounds per game. Rollins also was ultra efficient shooting 63% from the field, which was a program best in a single season. "The only way to go is up," Rollins said. "I think I can score even more for my teammates if it is needed. I think I've gotten mentally tougher. I was just taking good shots and being confident. I want to have another good season for my teammates again this year."There is plenty of talent around Wilson and Rollins though. Junior guard Evan Anderson returns to be a shutdown defender and strong passer. He could best his seven points and four assists per game average last year. Justice Cooper, a redshirt freshman from Melbourne, was second on the team averaging seven rebounds and added four points per contest. Fellow returners Daryl McElrath, Drew Miller of Rogers, Alex Brogdon of Little Rock, David Ekezie and Braden Boyer all look to make an impact as well. This will be the fifth season for Wilson to play under Boone spanning from Delta State now to UAFS. Boone joked Wilson might be asking for a divorce by now since they have been together for so long. But Wilson wouldn't have his senior year play out any differently — playing in his home state and under his longtime coach that has shaped his life. "In high school, I didn't have any offers other than coach Boone," Wilson said. "He believed in me. When the time came to transfer from Delta State or not, it was an easy choice to follow him here. Not many guys get to play for five straight years. It was an incredible opportunity I couldn't pass up. I'm grateful for coach Boone on and off the court." Boone, who enters his 36th season as a head coach, knows a thing or two about leaning on the defensive side of the ball to get wins with his signature pack line defense. He currently ranks eighth nationally in wins among active coaches and 32nd all-time. What Boone loves most about this current team is its ability to play defense at a high level. He knows that could be a big factor in swinging the upcoming season. Transfer guards Courtney Murrell and Cameron Bush of Little Rock could be the pieces to put that unit over the top. "They are going to have to learn on the fly, but they are doing a good job," Boone said of the transfers. "They have really helped our approach defensively, which is really important to us. They've added quickness, athleticism and a degree of toughness to our perimeter defense, which was needed. We instantly become a better defensive team with those guys, and they are still learning." The duo will play a factor on the offensive end as well. UAFS will look to replace the 20 points per game it got from Waldron's Peyton Brown, who transferred away from the program after earning all- freshman and second team all-Lone Star Conference honors. The team feels it has unfinished business heading into the season. What could be a big asset for the team is its unselfishness and its willingness to share the basketball on offense. "We have a lot of guys that are pass- first and are real teammates," Rollins said. "They can make plays, too. But they make the right pass to get the better shot. Guys want to congratulate you on your makes. We have some playmakers that want to be great teammates. I know I can score the basketball, but I would rather give Matt a screen and watch him make a shot. This team is special." The Lions were able to close out last season strong finishing with a 2-2 record down the stretch. In those wins, they handed Dallas Baptist one of its three conference losses and got another win against a winning team in St. Edward's. Boone said he feels the momentum has carried over to this season. How far will it take the program? They are ready to find out. "I really like this team a lot," Boone said. "We've got some talent. We are in the right place. It has taken us a while to get to this point with some adversity. How long will it take for us to move to the next point? I don't know. But we will find out more this season. I expect us to be very, very competitive. More so than last year. Anything less than that, I wouldn't be happy with it. We are ready to take that next step." WOMEN'S PREVIEW University of Arkansas-Fort Smith women's first-year coach Ryan McAdams remembers exactly where he was when he really learned about the Lions program. About 13 years ago when the university started to make the transition to Division II, McAdams was working as an assistant men's coach at Cameron University in Lawton, Okla., early in his career. The topic of the shift in classifications for UAFS came up as the news was breaking. "I remember hearing it was a great opportunity and that they were going to hit the ground running with the resources they had," McAdams said. "It was an eye-opening moment in the room. I didn't know much about the area at the time, but I've learned a lot since. It's always been in the back of my mind." So when the job opened over the summer, McAdams went for it without much connection to the Lions. Now he couldn't be happier to be guiding the program he heard about all those years ago. "The transition has been amazing," McAdams said. "It's been a lot at once every day. But it has been great getting to know the athletes and seeing what we need to be successful. We have been implementing the new system. Everyone has been welcoming. It has been great getting my feet on the ground." Practices have been full of high- energy players excited to play for their new coach. But also the players are just excited to be playing the game they love again. The Lions had a nightmare season Courtesy photo UAFS Matthew Wilson returns to lead the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith men's team this season. Wilson, who starred at Farmington. provides the Lions with a big scoring threat from the perimeter. Wilson n Continued from Page 21