| GAME 1: Northern Arizona (0-0) at #21/17 Arizona (0-0) |
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NAU MBB GAME NOTES - at Arizona
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 5, 2019) – The Lumberjacks open the 2019-20 season on Wednesday night at No. 21/17 Arizona in a 7 p.m. MST tip off that will be televised to a national audience on the Pac-12 Network.
The game will mark the 'Jacks first against a nationally-ranked opponent since facing No. 3/5 Arizona on Nov. 10, 2017 - which the Wildcats won 101-67 in Tucson.
Following Wednesday's clash with the Wildcats, the Lumberjacks will play five straight home games before venturing out on the road for five consecutive games – including the opening two games of Big Sky action.
Overall, the 'Jacks will play nine non-conference games (5 at home and 4 on the road). The five home games includes a meeting with Omaha on Sunday, Dec. 8 what will be played at the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
Northern Arizona finished the 2018-19 season 10-21 overall and 8-12 in Big Sky action. The eight conference wins, which tied for eighth best in the league standings, were four times the total from the previous season.
NAU is 59-48 all-time in season openers entering Wednesday's game at Arizona. The 'Jacks defeated Jacksonville in the 2018-19 season opener by a 97-82 margin at the Rolle Activity Center in Flagstaff.
The Lumberjacks have played the University of Arizona 125 times since 1919 and hold a 27-98 record against the Wildcats, with the last win coming back on Dec. 14, 1968. Arizona has won 32 consecutive meetings over the 'Jacks.
NAU will be led this season by interim head coach
Shane Burcar, who replaces current Arizona Associate head coach Jack Murphy, who served as the Lumberjacks' boss for seven seasons.
Burcar spent last season as an assistant on the NAU staff and spent the previous 12 seasons as the head coach at Mesa High School, leading the Jackrabbits to a 237-103 record during that span, including the 2016 Arizona Class 6A State Championship.
Burcar was honored on six different occasions as the region's coach of the year. His teams qualified for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) State Playoffs in 10 of his 12 seasons at Mesa and captured seven region titles.
The Lumberjacks returns 72.1 percent of their scoring from last season five of the team's top six scorers.
Overall, NAU welcomes back a total of seven letterwinners and a pair of redshirts, while also adding a total of six newcomers to the 2019-20 roster.
Among the top returners for the 'Jacks include reigning Big Sky Newcomer of the Year
Bernie Andre, who led the 'Jacks in both scoring and rebounding, as well as sophomore
Luke Avdalovic, who ranked fifth nationally in three-point percentage, hitting at a 49.3 percent clip.
Andre pulled down 263 rebounds during his sophomore campaign, which ranked as the 10
th-highest single-season total in Lumberjack history.
The Lumberjacks lit up Embry-Riddle with 18 three-pointers and led by as many as 42 points in a 109-75 exhibition victory on Oct. 28 in Flagstaff.
Bernie Andre posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while five other NAU players finished with double-figure points.
Chris Bowling led all players with 16 points and was 5-of-9 from beyond the three-point arc.
NAU will open a stretch of five-straight home games on Friday, Nov. 15 vs. SAGU American Indian College in a 6 p.m. MST tip from the Rolle Activity Center.
About Arizona:
Record: 0-0, 0-0 Pac-12
National Ranking: #21 (Media), #17 (Coaches)
All-Time Series: Arizona leads 98-27
Last Meeting: Arizona, 101-67 (Nov. 10, 2017)
