Aside from it being his last year, there's something very different about this season.
Firstly, the Bears have now officially completed their four-year transition phase from NCAA Division II, so they are now officially eligible for all facets of NCAA Division I post-season play (including the NCAA tournament).
Secondly, as they enter this new era in Central Arkansas basketball, a new coach will be leading the way --- former NBAer Corliss Williamson.
"This school has the potential to really make an impression at the Division I level," Williamson told ESPN. "There's a lot going on, a lot of positives and a lot of hype for our team. My job is to create the culture."
Williamson is an Arkansas native who won an NCAA National Championship as a player in 1994 for the University of Arkansas under legendary coach Nolan Richardson. He would later go on to be an NBA lottery pick and a member of the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons' NBA championship squad.
In fact, Williamson will likely bring his own version of Richardson's "40 Minutes of Hell" to UCA, a style that will be a lot more up-tempo, fast paced, and wide open.
Qahwash in particular is one player who is excited about the new style of play.
"I'm working really hard, playing (both) that uptempo offense and defense. I love it though," said Qahwash, who averaged a solid 6.4 PPG, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists while starting 23 of 30 games last season.
The Bears are getting right into things, and have a heavy schedule lined up for Williamson's first year behind the bench.
After opening their season on November 13th, the Bears will play four difficult road games during November and December ---- at Hawaii (Nov. 19), at Oklahoma State (Dec. 1), at Missouri (Dec. 18th), and at Oklahoma (Dec. 30th) before beginning their Southland conference schedule in January.
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