UCA's Chappell Happy with First Two Weeks

"The feeling I have about the team is really good right now,'
said Chappell, beginning his seventh season at UCA. "Our guys have been very enthusiastic and very coachable. Our work ethic and our talent level are both improved over a year ago. You feel like those things are going to allow us to have a successful season.'

The task facing Chappell and his coaching staff is to meld a group of six returnees with six talented newcomers, and then prepare for an extremely tough schedule in the first month of the season. The Bears will face the No. 1 team in the nation, the University of Kansas, in Game 3, and perennial power Memphis in their fifth outing.

"As a coach, I see a lot of positives in what they're doing,'
said Chappell. "Our worries are a little bit our health, putting together this many new faces quickly and a very, very tough schedule in the opening three or four weeks of the season. That's going to be a huge test for us.

"But I really believe these guys are going to battle hard and be competitive from Game 1 and they have a chance to be a good team before the season is over.'

Two seniors, forward Mitch Rueter and guard Mike Pouncy, are leading the way.

"We are getting really good senior leadership from Mitch Rueter and Mike Pouncy,' said Chappell. "Both of them have been successful in our program and they have carried that over getting ready for good senior years.'

The other returnees are junior guard Imad Qahwash, sophomore forward Chris Henson, sophomore guard Dewan Clayborn and redshirt freshman forward Robert Crawford.

"That group, you can tell have been in our program and they have all advanced from where they were a year ago,' said Chappell. "Imad, in particular, has shown good leadership at the point guard position and has shown that he has the capability of running our team.'

The newcomers are led thus far by 6-foot-8 center Carlos Dos Santos, a transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

"Carlos has been very consistent,' said Chappell. "He's a big guy in the middle who knows the game and makes people around him better, which is something you don't always say about a big guy. He's a good helper defensively and a good passer offensively.'

Junior forward Tadre Sheppard (6-7), who just returned from a bout of flu, fills a void the Bears had last season.

"Tadre's athleticism gives us a weapon we didn't have a year ago. We hope he's going to be a big factor for us.'

Guards Jared Rehmel and Chris Poellnitz will be keys on the offensive end for the Bears. Guard Ryan Daniels and center Chris Williams are getting more comfortable with the system daily, according to Chappell.

"Jared and Chris both have offensive firepower, the ability to put points on the board,' said Chappell. "They both pass the ball well and are good offensive players. Ryan is growing up and learning the point guard for us. Chris has valuable size to help us as he learns the system.'

Rehmel has been battling a back injury and has missed some practice time. Pouncy has had recurring pain from the foot injury that
sidelined him more than half of last season.

The Bears open the season against old crosstown rival Hendrix on Friday, Nov. 13 at the Farris Center. It will be the first meeting between the Bears and Warriors, former Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference rivals, since February 1992.