Northern Arizona Rises Like the Phoenix

The Cal State Northridge men’s basketball team is markedly improved with a respectable 4-3 record in its first season in the Big Sky Conference. But the Matadors are far from claiming the circuit’s top turnaround.

Northern Arizona, which plays at Northridge tonight at 7, is the most improved Division I team in the nation. The Lumberjacks, 14-3, 7-0 in conference play, were 6-20 last season.

Northern Arizona was a combined 14-38 in its first two seasons under Coach Ben Howland, previously an assistant at UC Santa Barbara for 12 years. Howland’s first season was marred when all-conference forward Brad Snyder was killed in a car accident on his way home after a game.

“It’s been a lot of adversity in the first two years,” Howland said. “I knew coming in here it wasn’t going to be a turn-it-around-overnight situation. We never stopped believing in ourselves and it’s kind of nice to see some results.”

The Lumberjacks, who have won 14 of 15 since starting 0-2, have been winning because of the leadership of senior point guard Charles Thomas and a roster loaded with hot-shooting newcomers.

“I think he is the MVP right now,” Montana State Coach Mick Durham said of Thomas.

Thomas averages 14 points and leads the conference with 5.6 assists a game, probably because has so many good shooters around him.

Northern Arizona is second in the nation, shooting 51.4%, right behind UCLA and ahead of Kansas. The Lumberjacks also lead the Big Sky with 73% free-throw shooting and 41% three-point shooting.

“We went out and specifically tried to recruit guys who could shoot,” Howland said. “My philosophy is if you can’t shoot, you can’t play. Every guy has to be a threat out on the floor.”

Northern Arizona has managed the turnaround with only one senior--Thomas--playing a key role. Among those who will be back next year are junior forward Andrew Mavis (14.6 points, 44.8% three-point shooting), and three freshmen: starting forward Billy Hix, starting guard Ross Land and 7-foot center Dan McClintock.

“We’re real young,” Howland said. “That’s what’s exciting.”

Maybe for him--but not for the rest of the conference.