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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Northern Arizona coach Jack Murphy had every reason to believe his team would take a big leap in the 2015-16 season.The Lumberjacks returned four players he considered starters from a team that made it to the championship game of the CollegeInsiders.com tournament and had talented newcomers who could contribute right away.Things fell apart quickly.Two of Northern Arizonas best players went down with season-ending injuries by the 10th game and the Lumberjacks never recovered, finishing 5-25 with a roster that included eight freshmen on scholarship and 11 overall.We literally had one practice last year with our full complement of guys, Murphy said. We were youth personified.There is an upshot to that trial-by-fire season: All those young players come back with far more experience than they would have had without the injuries.Theyll join senior forward Jordyn Martin, the 2014-15 Big Sky defensive player of the year, who played only three games last season because of a foot injury. Senior guard Jaleni Neely returns after being limited to nine games because of knee injury.Both are healthy and expected to be the leaders Murphy envisioned a year ago.Bruising senior forward Ako Kaluna also is back after having a breakout season with Martin out, giving the Lumberjacks some experience to go with all those young players.I feel like we have a chance to do something special this season, Neely said. Those guys got experience not too many freshman get and I think it will help them as far as maturity and seeing how the Division I level is. It also gave them a lot of confidence.A few more things to look for from the 2016-17 Lumberjacks:THE SCHEDULE: Northern Arizona had one of the hardest opening schedules in the country last season, playing Washington State, Boise State and Gonzaga all in one five-day road trip. The Lumberjacks lost all three games and won one road game all season. This seasons schedule has some tough games but not a brutal road trip right out of the gate. Northern Arizona has road games against Washington and UNLV, and hosts Arkansas-Little Rock and CSU Bakersfield, NCAA Tournament teams last season, during its nonconference schedule. I should have had my head examined before last season with that schedule, Murphy said. The schedule is far more palatable this year.MARTIN RETURNS: Martin established himself as a defensive force in 2014-15, able to play ballhandlers out on the floor or swoop in for blocked shots. The 6-foot-7 forward began to assert himself on the offensive end during NAUs run through the 2015 CIT, scoring a career-high 27 points against Sacramento State and grabbing a career-high 17 rebounds against NJIT. Murphy expected Martin to take a bigger jump last season, but it was derailed by the foot injury. Look for him to pick up his scoring -- he averaged 7.7 points two seasons ago -- in his final season in Flagstaff.NEELYS BACK: Neely was expected to join Kris Yanku in forming one of the Big Skys better backcourts last season. Instead, his season was derailed by the knee injury. This season, Yanku is gone after leaving to play professionally overseas, so Neely will be the Lumberjacks floor leader and go-to player when they need a big shot.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.orgWholesale Shoes China . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. 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What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday.No. 14 Washington | No. 16 USC | Top 25No. 15: TCULast Season: 11-2?(7-2 Big 12)The Horned Frogs trail only Washington among my surprise teams in 2016. They lacked that tough Gary Patterson defense last season, allowing 398.4 yards per game after pacing the conference with just 340.3 allowed over the previous three years. Last years unit brings back eight starters, putting the defensive line, linebackers and secondary position groups all in my top 20. Though they lose QB Trevone Boykin, WR Josh Doctson and RB Aaron Green on offense, I do like the replacements. Kenny Hill, who transferred out of Texas A&M, where he threw for 2,649 yards in 2014, fits well with the offense, while Kyle Hicks figures to take over at running back after averaging 4.8 yards per carry last year. TCU is an underdog against only Oklahoma (+3), which it beat in 2014. If the Horned Frogs upset the Sooners again, they would have a clear path to the Big 12 title and a playoff berth, assuming they handle a depleted Baylor team in a toss-up game late iin the year.ddddddddddddTCUs chances to win each game 09.03 vs. South Dakota State: 94.6% 09.10 vs. Arkansas: 56.2% 09.17 vs. Iowa State: 88.3% 09.23 @ SMU: 85.4% 10.01 vs. Oklahoma: 19.6% 10.08 @ Kansas: 88.1% 10.22 @ West Virginia: 41.7% 10.29 vs. Texas Tech: 71.9% 11.05 @ Baylor: 36.8% 11.19 vs. Oklahoma State: 39.8% 11.25 @ Texas:?39.0% 12.03 vs. Kansas State: 80.7%Dont sleep on these Horned Frogs. Experienced defense, lots of offensive weapons, favorable schedule, supremely well-coached. All they need is the best version of Kenny Hill to lead the charge. If they can beat Oklahoma on Oct. 1, an 11-1 season and a playoff bid are attainable. -- Max OlsonThe pieces are in place on both sides of the ball for the Horned Frogs to challenge in the Big 12. One of those is transfer QB Hill, who will be consistent enough for TCU to finish 9-3. -- Jake TrotterNo. 14 Washington | No. 16 USC | Top 25 ' ' '