FAYETTEVILLE — The expectations are through the roof for Fayetteville boys basketball this season. With a major nucleus of talent back from a state runner-up team last year, even the Bulldogs aren’t hiding from the lofty goals pointed in their direction.

“We feel like we do have a good chance, but we feel like we’re that way every year,” Fayetteville coach Kyle Adams said. “That’s our goal every year and not to be egotistical about it but that’s what you want to be.

“You want to be the one that everybody circles one the schedule and says if we can beat these guys, we’ve done something. And that’s been that way at Fayetteville before I got here and it will continue to be that way here for a long time after me.”

The Bulldogs overcame the loss of key players to injuries and ineligibility at different stretches last season, overcoming four games that were forfeited in conference play before rallying to the state championship game. Fayetteville lost in the finals, 42-31 to Little Rock Hall. But with the majority of its roster returning from a year ago — and a few key additions — the Bulldogs appear to be a clear favorite in the 7A/6A-West Conference, if not the entire Class 7A altogether.

“We’re real excited,” Adams said. “We’ve got a lot of great parts and hopefully we can put it all together. We talk to the kids all the time about sharing the basketball and when we buy in and share the basketball we’ve got a chance to be really good.

“We’ve got a great combination of size, speed and athleticism. And athletically it’s really one of the better teams we’ve had here in a while.”

Nine seniors help fill out the Fayetteville roster this season, including returning starters Tyler McCullough, Caleb Waitsman, Manuale Watkins and Cameron Paschke. McCullogh, a 6-foot-10 Missouri State commit, is a three-year starter. Waitsman, a 6-8 part-time starter last year, has committed to the Colorado School of the Mines. And Watkins, a 6-2 guard who transferred in before last season, is receiving interest from Oral Roberts, among other schools.

Fayetteville also welcomes back 6-2 senior guard Jawan Smith, who was ineligible for the second half of last season, and welcomes in 6-1 senior forward Chasen Williamson, a transfer from Springdale High.

Adams also expects senior Trey Boyd to contribute off the bench.

“I think experience has a lot to do with it,” Adams said. “Our kids have been in the tournament and they’ve been through that adversity that we went through last year and they’ve become tougher and more resilient from it. That’s going to be the biggest key for us.

“We did lose some key seniors from last year. Kile Graves was one of the better defenders we’ve had and a great leader and we lose Malik Fields, a big 6-6 post kid inside. But we’ve got some kids stepping up as well. Everybody knows about Tyler and Manny and everybody knows Cameron Paschke because he’s been around for so long. But kids like Trey Boyd and Chasen Williamson, and we’ve got Jawan Smith back. So I’m excited. This group has a chance to do some special things.”

Fayetteville Bulldogs Schedule

Date Opponent Time

Nov. 20 Fort Smith Northside 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 22-24 Rumble on the Ridge, Forrest City

Nov. 22 vs. Memphis Southwind TBD

Nov. 27 Conway 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 29-Dec. 1 Springfield, (Mo.) Kickapoo Tournament TBD

Dec. 6-8 Jammin’ For Jackets, Little Rock TBD

Dec. 14 Fort Smith Southside 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 15 Little Rock Parkview, at Maumelle 7A/6A Challenge 7 p.m.

Jan. 4 Rogers Heritage* 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8 at Van Buren* 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 11 at Rogers High* 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 Siloam Springs* 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 18 at Springdale High* 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 Springdale Har-Ber* 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 25 Bentonville* 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 1 at Rogers Heritage* 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5 Van Buren* 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 8 Rogers High* 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 12 at Siloam Springs* 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 15 Springdale High* 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 19 at Springdale Har-Ber* 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 22 at Bentonville* 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 27-Mar. 2 Class 7A Tournament, Fayetteville TBD