Heading into his third season at the helm of the program, NMU men’s head basketball coach Doug Lewis is confident about the team he has assembled.

“I truly feel good about our third season because the last two years we’ve really been working hard at upgrading our talent with recruiting and getting guys that really fit my system,” Lewis said. “I think we have a chance to have a really solid season.”

The ’Cats return seven players from a season ago, including redshirt freshman Terry Nash who will get the starting nod at point guard.

Lewis said Nash is still shaking off the rust from sitting out a year but he likes what he sees out of the guard.

“He is a legit point guard,” Lewis said. “(Nash) will give us a true point guard who can create shots and also run the team and play solid on the defensive end.”

Joining Nash in the starting lineup is senior forward T.J. Cameron, junior forward Matt Craggs, junior center Scooter Johnson and freshman shooting guard Stephen Pelkofer.

Cameron, who started in 21 games last season and led the team in minutes played thinks the Wildcats have benefited from exhibition games against Division I opponents this preseason.

“I think it’s going to be a better season,” Cameron said. “We’re more talented, I think the games we played this year like the Detroit game and the Michigan game showed us what we really need to work on and how far we really need to get to be good. I don’t see why we can’t finish as a top three team in this league.”

The ’Cats are without sophomore guard and last year’s leading scorer Haki Stampley who it taking a medical redshirt this season. Lewis said losing Stampley hurts but the depth makes up for it.

“That doesn’t help but that’s why we went out and recruited depth and that’s why I think we can overcome that,” Lewis said. “The positive of having Haki out is that we’re still going to have him for the next three years.”

Looking to add a spark off the bench is sophomore guard Quinten Calloway, who started 10 games as a freshman and averaged 6.9 points-per-game. Sophomore guard Kendall Jackson also returns after appearing in all 26 games last season.

Cameron said the large minutes the younger players contributed last season should add to the mental toughness of the team down the stretch.

“It’s going to help a lot,” Cameron said. “Going through all those games I feel like they should be ready for anything. We’ve seen about everything, when something comes up, a little adversity, we should be ready for it.”

Lewis expects the GLIAC North to be competitive again this season and said the conference race is up for grabs.

“It’s pretty balanced from top to bottom,” Lewis said. “I’ll say this right now, we have a chance to win the conference championship this year and we’re going to work hard at trying to get to the GLIAC tournament first and then also trying to get to the NCAA tournament.”

NMU kicks off their 2012-13 season at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Berry Events Center as they host Finlandia.