FORT SMITH — The 2020-21 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Men’s Basketball season gets underway Friday as the Lions visit Texas A&M-Kingsville.
UAFS will play the Javelinas on Saturday as well, as the Lone Star Conference attempts to reduce travel this season. Tipoff for both games this weekend will be at 4 p.m. following the conclusion of the women’s game.
All games can be seen on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network with a daily pass for $10. Live stats will also be available at uafortsmithlions.com. Texas A&M-Kingsville will not be selling general admission tickets to this weekend’s games.
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YEAR 2: UAFS begins its second year in the Lone Star Conference after posting a 13-16, 9-13 mark in 2019-20. It also marks the second year under Head Coach Jim Boone.
KEY RETURNERS: Senior guard Matthew Wilson leads an overall young roster that returns three starters. Wilson was a third team All-LSC honoree last season after averaging 16.6 points per game. Senior forward Chris Rollins and sophomore guard Evan Anderson return to the UAFS lineup, as well.
KEY LOSSES: UAFS must find a way to replace All-American guard Brian Halums, who averaged a school record 28.8 points a season ago. Halums also led the team with 8.6 rebounds per game. The Lions also graduated experience in guard Seth Hawley and forward Matt Morgan last spring.
FAB FIVE: The Lions incoming recruiting class consists of five talented freshmen, all expected to make an impact in their first year on campus. The class consists of guards Terrell Kabala, Drew Miller, Dalton Gayman, Payton Brown and forward Justus Cooper.
ALL LSC SCHEDULE: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, UAFS will be playing a shortened 20-game schedule which consists entirely of LSC competition. Highlighting the slate at the Stubblefield Center are visits from preseason #3 West Texas A&M December 18-19 and #15 St. Edward’s to close the season February 26-27.
PRESEASON POLL: UAFS was predicted to finish 9th in the LSC Preseason Poll, voted on by the league’s head coaches, sports information directors and a media representative from each institution.
RECORD WATCH: Senior guard Matthew Wilson is tied for 7th all-time with 81 career made three-point field goals. The 81 made threes are the third most in a single season since UAFS transitioned to NCAA II. His .342 3-pt percentage ranks 10th all-time for those who have made at least 50 career threes.
70.1: The Lions defense allowed 70.1 points per game last season, the fewest per game in a season as a NCAA II member. The mark was 5th best in the LSC last season.
HEAD COACH JIM BOONE: Coach Boone enters his second season at the helm of the Lions after seven seasons at Delta State. Boone has a career record of 571-429 as he enters his 35th year as a collegiate head coach.
SCOUTING KINGSVILLE: The Javelinas went 21-9, 16-6 LSC in 2019-20. Senior guard Tre Flowers returns after scoring 12.1 points per game last season for Kingsville. The Javelinas return only three of their 10 players who played significant minutes in at least 20 games last season.