FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 17, 2019) – The Northern Arizona men's basketball team was ranked at No. 8 in both the Big Sky Preseason Coaches and Media Polls, which were released by the Big Sky Conference office on Thursday.
The Lumberjacks garnered 35 points in the coaches' rankings and 150 from the media.
NAU returns a total of five starters and seven letterwinners from last season's squad that finished tied for eighth overall in the Big Sky.
The 'Jacks will be led by first-year head coach
Shane Burcar, who takes over the top chair after serving as an assistant on the NAU staff last season.
Overall, NAU will return nearly 73 percent of their scoring from a year ago, including reigning Big Sky Newcomer of the Year
Bernie Andre, who led the 'Jacks in both scoring and rebounding, as well as junior
Luke Avdalovic, who ranked fifth nationally in three-point percentage.
Eastern Washington topped the Big Sky Coaches Preseason Rankings with 96 points and eight first-place votes. The Eagles were followed by Montana (87 pts/8), Weber State (86) and Southern Utah (71).
The Grizzlies led the media rankings with 354 points and 13 first-place votes. Weber State checked in at No. 2 with 354 points and 12 first-place mentions. Eastern Washington (330/9) and Northern Colorado (275/2) rounded out the top four spots.
On Wednesday, the league announced the Big Sky All-Preseason Team with Weber State's Jerrick Harding headlining as the most valuable player. Harding was joined on the all-preseason squad by Sayeed Pridgett (Montana), Harald Frey (Montana State), Holland Woods (Portland State), Mason Peatling (Eastern Washington) and Jacob Davison (Eastern Washington).
Following an exhibition game at the Rolle Activity Center on Oct. 28, the Lumberjacks will open the regular season on the road in Tucson at the University of Arizona on Wednesday, Nov. 6 before tipping off the home portion of the regular-season slate on Friday, Nov. 15 vs. SAGU American Indian College at 6 p.m. MST.
2019-20 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| 1. Eastern Washington |
96 (8) |
| 2. Montana |
87 (3) |
| 3. Weber State |
86 |
| 4. Southern Utah |
71 |
| 5. Northern Colorado |
65 |
| 6. Portland State |
59 |
| 7. Montana State |
42 |
| 8. Northern Arizona |
35 |
| 9. Sacramento State |
32 |
| 10. Idaho State |
21 |
| 11. Idaho |
11 |
2019-20 Big Sky Men's Basketball Preseason Media Poll
| 1. Montana |
354 (13) |
| 2. Weber State |
345 (12) |
| 3. Eastern Washington |
330 (9) |
| 4. Northern Colorado |
275 (2) |
| 5. Southern Utah |
247 |
| 6. Portland State |
220 |
| 7. Montana State |
188 |
| 8. Northern Arizona |
150 |
| 9. Sacramento State |
127 |
| 10. Idaho State |
92 |
| 11. Idaho |
48 |
*First-place votes indicated in parentheses
