NWADG Basketball

21 2022 NWA COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW | 11.6.2022 FORT SMITH — It's been quite a rebuilding journey during the past four seasons for the University of Arkansas- Fort Smith men's basketball program, but the Lions are finally restoring the roar. UAFS a season ago put together its first winning record (14-13) since 2017 under fourth-year coach Jim Boone. It was the breakthrough season the program has been building toward. UAFS beat ranked teams at home and on the road. The Lions also had their first winning season in Lone Star Conference play (8-6) and even earned a home playoff game in the league tournament. The Lions took one step forward last year but look to take another with a talented returning group bolstered by a high-impact transfer recruiting class. "Last year was a monumental season for us," Boone said. "We beat some really good teams last year, which speaks volumes about this group. We continue to stack on experience and know what we need moving forward. I'm really excited about where we are at. This team is a great fit. You can feel the excitement with the players. They can't wait to play that first game." Gone from last year are Farmington's Matthew Wilson (20 points per game) and C.J. Rollins (14 points and seven rebounds per game), who are both playing professionally overseas. The Lions will miss that duo but bring plenty of talent back with nine returners in Evan Anderson, Courtney Murrell, Cameron Bush (Joe T. Robinson), Drew Miller (Rogers), David Ekezie, Daryl McElrath, Lukas Reichle, Andrew Iyamah and Drew Irby. "We lost two great players that had great careers," Boone said. "I don't think you replace them with any one player. But we can fill those gaps with the experience we have. We have a great group that wants to go compete." Anderson will lead the way among the returners after averaging 10 points, five assists, two rebounds and a steal per contest while playing lockdown defense last season. He was named to the Lone Star Conference's watch list entering the year. "Coming into this program, I just wanted to establish myself and just get on the court," Anderson said. "I was able to show what I could do defensively. But then I showed my abilities to pass the ball, score and shoot. It's that foundation that I'm continuing to build on right now. It's about keeping the mindset to do everything I can to help this team." Murrell and Bush bring a guard combination that Boone hasn't quite seen to this level during his 37 years of coaching. They will likely be asked to score more this season, but the backcourt combo is up to the challenge. Murrell averaged 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal per game. Bush chipped in 5 points per game to go with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal per contest off the bench. Miller brings starting experience back after playing key roles when needed most. He averaged just five points per game over the season but shined in the final five games. He averaged 11 points per game and shot 50% from the field during that stretch. David Ekezie also started 14 games last year, shooting 67 percent from the field, while providing scoring and rebounding depth. Five transfers in Payton Brown (Waldron), Jaxon Ingram, Connor Slater, Furaha Cadeaux de Dieu and Evan White (Bentonville West) with true freshman Jace Linenberger make up the newcomers looking to provide a spark right away. UAFS SEASON PREVIEW LIONS LOOK TO CONTINUE BUILDING WINNING CULTURE HAROLD MCILVAIN II SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE See UAFS, Page 22 Jim Boone UAFS Sports Information

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