Lights poised for a rebound season on the hardwood

It was a season of injuries and near-misses for the Montana State University-Northern men's basketball team last winter.

The Lights, of Hall of Fame head coach Shawn Huse, went just 3-13 in the Frontier Conference as they lost so many single-digit outcomes. And Northern lost even more when leading scorer Zack Martinez graduated this past spring.

However, Northern brings back plenty of talent, and Huse has reloaded the roster as well, as the Lights get ready to begin a new season, and battle for their rightful place as one of the Frontier's elite programs.

Northern returns eight players from last year's team, including Xavier Bailey, and All-Conference performer who averaged 11 points and eight rebounds per night. J.J. Thomas, Jacob Randall and Rogan Barnwell, as well as Oskar Pula and RJ Ramone were contributors as well. 

Those players will be joined by a group of newcomers that include some veteran players, like junior transfer guard Leo Sewell (5-10), sophomore transfer guard Cinque Maxwell (6-2), senior Jack Reardon, transfer Raefe McEnroe (6-5) and transfer Owen Smith (6-2).

The mix of newcomers and returners will give what Huse hopes is, balance in Northern's offensive lineup. The Lights are always a tough defensive team, but, Northern will look to be much-improved on offense this season.

"I really do believe that [scoring] is going to be by committee," Huse said at Frontier Media Days. "We relied heavily on a certain few guys last year, somewhat out of necessity with the injuries we had. I don't think we have to do that this year, which is very relieving for me as a coach. Right now, I think, it's gonna be a lot of guys stepping up and different guys on different nights. That's what I anticipate and that's what I hope for."

Northern was picked to finish fourth in the Frontier this season, behind Montana Tech, Montana Western and Rocky Mountain College. But, the Lights will use their non-conference schedule to Gert ready for the rigors of league play. Northern opens the season Nov. 2 with a game against Embry-Riddle in Billings, before hosting Bushnell University Nov. 6. The Lights play Cascade foes Southern Oregon and Eastern Oregon in Helena Nov. 8-9, followed by a home game against future Frontier rival Dickinson State Nov. 18. The Lights also play DSU and Valley City State at Dickinson, N.D. the following week, before hosting Jamestown Dec. 6 in Havre. MSU-N also hosts St. Mary's the following niught, then head to Arizona for three games, before coming home to play King's University and Keyano University Dec. 29-31 to close out league play.

The Frontier Conference season begins Jan. 4 for the Lights when they they host Montana Western. Once again, league games will be played at 7 p.m. on Thursday nights and 4 p.m. on Saturday's.

All of the Frontier action leads to the league tournament, which will be held March 2-4 in Great Falls.