It should come as no real surprise what the main focus was this week at NAU men's basketball practice.

After letting Montana guards Anthony Johnson and Will Cherry combine for 40 second-half points on a remarkable 13 of 15 combined shooting in a loss to the Grizzlies on Saturday, the Lumberjacks went back to the drawing board on defense.

Johnson and Cherry did most, if not all, of their damage driving to the basket, something NAU is intent on not letting happen again.

"We're just trying to focus on defense and keeping our man in front of us," freshman guard Gabe Rogers said Thursday. "That's what killed us against Montana because Anthony Johnson just murdered us. That's been the big focus for us; keeping our man in front of us.

"I think we were all eager to get in here and practice after that loss and we've had a couple of good practices since then."

Rogers said it wasn't fun when the team got together on Monday to watch film of the loss to the Griz.

"That was a very tough film to watch," Rogers said. "Coach (Mike Adras) ripped us into a new one a couple of times during the film session. But, even though it was tough to watch, I think it helped us because we came out and practiced hard on Tuesday."

The Jacks took Sunday off and then lifted weights for about 45 minutes before watching about two hours of film. Adras said the focus of the film wasn't on NAU's upcoming opponent, Northern Colorado, but instead on NAU and what it can improve on.

"Mondays have kind of turned into not so much a physical day, but a mental one for us," Adras said. "When we watched film, there were certain plays where coach gets pretty loud.

"I'll say this though. They got the message because Tuesday's practice was one of the better practices of the year. I really liked how hard they went and the intensity they brought. It wasn't like the offense looked good because the defense wasn't playing well. It was high level all-around."

After Tuesday's successful practice, NAU started turning its attention to Northern Colorado and after watching film of the Bears on Thursday, the Jacks had another solid practice.

"I can't say it was as good as Tuesday's practice, but it wasn't one where you walk out thinking we didn't get anything done," Adras said. "It was another productive practice, which is good."

ROGERS' PHONE CALL

On Sunday, while trying to recover from Saturday's loss to Montana, Rogers got a phone call from a familiar voice when current Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach and former San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers head coach John Lucas gave him a ring.

Rogers has known Lucas almost his entire life because the former NBA head coach is close with Rogers' grandfather, with Lucas making his offseason home in Rogers' native hometown of Houston.

"He called me on Sunday and really let me have it," Rogers said. "It was the first time I've heard from him this season and he just told me I have to step it up. I need to start being the player that coach recruited me to be instead of just always shooting jump shots. It was good to hear from him and hopefully next time we talk, he's a little happier with me."

Rogers said now that Lucas is busy with the Clippers and Rogers is obviously tied up with the Jacks, the two don't talk that often but while Rogers was in high school, the two talked nearly daily.

ON THE RECRUITING TRAIL

With the team off on Wednesday, Adras took the day to do some out-of-town recruiting.

NAU has two available scholarships for next season and Adras said he'd like to fill both slots. The 11th-year head coach said his first priority is finding a high school center and then he'd like to sign either a small or power forward as well.

The Jacks signed one player, point guard Danny Redmond, out of Riverside Community College in the fall.

"We'll have three point guards next year, so we're not worried about that," Adras said. "We have Gabe, Cam (Jones), DeAngelo (Jones) and (Eric) Platt for two positions, so I feel good there, but wouldn't mind one more piece there so it's not devastating if someone gets hurt.

"And, I'd also like to get one more center. I feel like we need a high school big guy if we can find someone."

JONES HURTING

Adras said DeAngelo Jones is still nursing a sore groin, but said the junior will definitely play on Sunday against Northern Colorado.

"The groin is really bothering him again, but there's no alternatives," Adras said. "I can see him wincing and struggling with it, but he has to go."

Jones missed four games earlier this month with the groin injury, but has played three straight games and is averaging just more than 10 points per game in that stretch.

Daniel Berk can be reached at dberk@azdailysun.com or 556-2251.