by Sports Xchange

Last season was not one to remember for Lumberjack fans. Not only did the team fail to qualify for the league tournament, but point guard Josh Wilson exhausted his eligibility after four seasons of exceptional play.

Only four lettermen return so coach Mike Adras has a rebuilding project on his hands.

Things would seemingly have to get better for a Northern Arizona program that a season ago dealt with injuries, ineffectiveness and off-court issues.

The Lumberjacks had one of their worst seasons in more than a decade and now will be without Wilson, a four-year starter who is the school's all-time leader in assists.

Guard Cameron Jones and forward Shane Johannsen are the top veterans who return and both could be honors candidates. Jones averaged 15.6 points per game in league play and Johannsen shot 73 percent from the field last season.

In addition, 6-10 sophomore center Josh Lepley and senior forward Nick Larson are back. Lepley shot 58 percent from the field.

Coach Mike Adras is the dean of Big Sky coaches. In fact there's nobody close. In 10 years at Northern Arizona, Adras has amassed a record of 158-136. No one else has coached in the league longer than four years.

Adras is a winner, but rarely has he been forced to overhaul his roster as completely as is the case this year.