SENATOBIA – It's hard to believe basketball season is already upon us, and the Northwest Mississippi Community College men's basketball team is gearing up for another season with a similar storyline at the start with a new head coach at the helm of the program.

Justin Mann joins the team for his first year, but while he is new, there will still be plenty of familiar faces from the team last season, even if they will be bringing a different feel to the action on the court.

After leading the MACCC in scoring last year at over 100 points a game with a high-tempo and aggressive defensive stance, the Rangers will be adapting to a more traditional look that matches play at the next level.

"We bring a lot of toughness," Mann said, adding that the defensive attitude will set the tone. "I want our guys to leave a mark by being the grittier team on the defensive side of the basketball. Then on offense, you are going to see a lot more Division I and Division II style of offense."

Mann also said the goal is to not only compete in the conference, but to also prepare players for the next step in their basketball journeys.

"I think once they learn that style of offense, it will be easier for them to transition to wherever it leads them next. It requires patience and being able to take their time, knowing that their shot might not come every time, but they will get theirs as well."

As for the team, Mann knew it would be an adjustment for the returning sophomores to change a style that quickly, but he also said he has been impressed in the ability to adapt, saying in early scrimmages at jamborees, they showed a quick grasp of the system.

"I've been really impressed with a lot of the returners in their ability to go from one style to buying into a new brand of basketball," he said. "And even a lot of our freshmen. I've been impressed with how quickly they've been able to adjust to the speed. We had some guys show us that they are college-ready. I think from the fall we have had, we should expect a really good season."

One of the biggest pieces coming back will be Demetrius Duffy, who brings back 15.7 points per game and nearly 10 rebounds per game while playing in all 30 games for the Rangers. Duffy was playing as more of a post for the Rangers as a freshman, but the new offense has been particularly big for his change in roll.

"His style last year was way different from what I've ever had, so he's had to go from the dunker spot to being on the perimeter a little bit more while still crashing the glass and getting his money, so I've been impressed with him trying to take over a new role," Mann said.

Joining him as key returners will be Chancellor Terry, who also averaged 13.3 points per game, along with over three assists per game on the offensive side, and was a key leader on the defense, which is where Mann really expects him to shine most early in the season.

"He has been phenomenal on the defensive side of the basketball," Mann said. "He's still trying to find his rhythm on the offensive side, but along with some other veteran leaders like Peyton Lindley and Tre Terrell, I've been really impressed with those guys."

Lindley and Terrell both also bring plenty of game experience even if they don't have the big numbers from the other two, playing in 29 games and compiling 19 starts as a duo.

Other returning sophomores include Alejandro Montalvo-Diaz and Ladarrius Brown.

The sophomores will be joined by a very talented freshman class that is highlighted by Isaiah Thomas, who brings Division I talent to the Northwest roster right out of the gate.

"He's a 6'5" guard who is a three-level scorer with above-the-rim athleticism," Mann said. "I have had a lot of calls from some high-level Division I schools already."

Thomas comes from The Phelps School, where he helped to bring the Lions to a 28-12 overall record, while also coming off of a high school runner-up finish in the state championships.

Size inside will also be key in what the younger players are bringing, with a pair of athletic posts from out of state joining the roster. Conlin Anderson joins from Prosper, Texas, and Walnut Grove High School, and the 6'6" freshman averaged 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. George Zanardze adds even more size, standing at over 6'8" and bringing a heritage of talented family members, including a father who was a professional soccer player.

"Conlin is a stretch shooter that goes three-and-D," Mann said. "He's shot the ball really well in the fall, and we have a big anchor in the paint in George Zanardze, who's a 6'8" bruiser that is really good with the finesse skill set and can impact from the perimeter as well."

Despite their growth last season as a team, the Rangers are not entering this year with a lot of expectations from outside of Howard Coliseum. In the preseason poll, the Rangers were picked to finish outside of the postseason picture despite earning a chance to host the opening round game last year.

"They picked us 12^th, and I love being an underdog, but after finishing 8^th last year, and having probably the most returners in the league, I was a little shocked," Mann said, adding that doesn't mean he thinks it will come easily. "This conference is a challenge just because of the way the travel is and the little amount of time you have to get prepared. I'm excited for it, and I don't think we will finish 12^th by any means."

The Rangers open up the season tonight on the road in Missouri against Mineral Area College and Three Rivers College in the 1^st Midwest Bank Classic. They add in road games on November 3^rd at Coahoma Community College and Dyersburg State Community College.

Northwest opens the home slate on Friday, November 13, against Southeast Arkansas Community College, followed by a Monday night battle on the 16^th against Hinds Community College in a non-conference test.

The rest of the non-conference slate features a pair of classics at Missouri State-West Plains on November 27^th and 28^th and a trip to Booneville for the Harvey Childers Classic on December 11^th and 12^th. Road games at Lawson State Community College and Southeast Arkansas on November 20^th and 23^rd, and four other home games against Shelton State Community College (December 3^rd), Lawson State (December 5^th), Phillips-UA (December 8^th), and Three Rivers (January 6^th).

Conference play kicks off on January 11^th against East Mississippi Community College on the road, followed by the home opener for MACCC play against Holmes Community College on January 14^th.

The rest of the road games feature a trip to Itawamba Community College on January 19^th, Northeast Mississippi Community College on January 25^th, Pearl River Community College on February 4^th, Jones College on February 11^th, Hinds on February 18^th, and East Central Community College on February 25^th.

Home games will continue with Coahoma making the trip to Senatobia on January 21^st, Copiah-Lincoln Community College on February 1^st, Meridian Community College on February 8^th, Southwest Mississippi Community College on February 15^th, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on February 22^nd, and the season finale on March 1^st against Mississippi Delta Community College.

Keep up with Northwest news and updates by visiting nwccrangers.com or by following along on Ranger social media accounts.