MONTICELLO - University of Arkansas at Monticello men’s basketball coach Mike Newell has heightened expectations for the 2009-10 squad after posting the program’s second 20-win season in four years.

Nearly 80 percent of the scoring and rebounding from last year is gone, only one player from last year’s starting five has returned and only four lettermen are returning. The majority of incoming players are transfers. Don’t mention any of this to Coach Newell.

“Defensively, last year’s team was very good and that was really the reason we had success,” said Newell. So how does the coach plan to replace the production from last year?

“This group is bigger, stronger, and offensively much better … this might be one of the best offensive teams I’ve had in my 36 years of coaching.”

Coach Newell believes that reloading at the Division II level can be done quickly. Only Derek Easter returns from a starting five that was a win away in the Gulf South Conference Tournament from making the NCAA Tournament last season. On a positive note, 13 players played more than seven minutes a game, and only one played more than 27 minutes per game last season. The Weevils are accustomed to a deep bench and many contributors.

The veteran returners include Easter (9.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.3 bpg), Anthony Lacey (5.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.3 spg), and Lorenzo Shine (4.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg). All are expected to play key roles for the Weevils. The transfers include three members from South Suburban College in Chicago, a Junior College that ranked as high as number four in the NJCAA rankings, and finished the season ranked sixth. Nick Carey, DeAngelo McIntosh, and Jarrell Turner bring with them a lot of athleticism and a winning attitude.

Among the strengths of this year’s team is its tremendous athleticism and versatility. Coach Newell believes that nearly every player on the team has the ability to play multiple positions. The Weevils will implore a lot of three guard sets that will extend the perimeter and open up lanes for several of the big men down low to go to work.

“I like to get three guys on the perimeter with point guard skills that can pass and shoot and we have six or seven guys who can do that,” said Newell.

With three players listed at center and several others that can rebound well, Newell expects his team to be one of the biggest teams in the Gulf South Conference.

Of the other players set to contribute immediately, Gil Verner (6-2, G, SR), Derrick Robinson (6-1, G, JR), Nick Carey (5-10, G, JR), Hamid Ford (6-0, G, SO), and Ajuma Jaramogi (6-11, C, SO) are all in position battles for significant minutes. “With new players, it means everyone is battling for position on the depth chart,” said Newell.

When asked about the significant challenges for this year’s team, Newell said there were two.

“Number one for us has to be the schedule. We play eight regional non-conference games against tough opponents and four very good Division I programs in the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic,” said Newell. “Number two has to be getting the new guys taught how to play UAM basketball both offensively and defensively, and getting them to play together unselfishly.” Newell knows that playing four of the first six games against Division I programs will be difficult but should build character for his team early.

As if the non-conference schedule wasn’t difficult, the Gulf South Conference is notorious for providing great competition on the court. Even with the roster turnover the Weevils have seen since last season, the GSC Pre-Season Coaches’ Poll has UAM ranked fourth in the West Division.

“Based on what we lost, it’s a compliment to be ranked there,” said Newell, “It shows you how far UAM has come.”

OF INTEREST

With a 20-win season, Derek Easter can become the winningest player in UAM history.

The Weevils will play Binghamton, Western Carolina, Duquesne, and Wichita State in the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic. All four programs have played in the NCAA Division I Tournament.

UAM only had five 20-win seasons in its 60-year history prior to 2005.

Nick Carey was a 1st Team JUCO All-American last season at South Suburban College in Illinois.

Jarrell Turner and Hamid Ford were selected as Top Newcomers in the GSC Preseason Release.

Incoming Freshman Deric Corbin is the cousin of UAM Sports Hall-of-Famer and fourth all-time leading scorer Ike Corbin.