Anchorage Daily News

They were already losing five seniors, including four starters. Now the Seawolves have to replace two more veterans they expected back.

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Burney

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Hardy

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The UAA men's basketball coach Rusty Osborne confirmed Tuesday that junior starter Cameron Burney and junior reserve Doug Hardy will not return for the 2008-09 season.

That leaves junior Jeremiah Trueman and freshmen Kevin White and Lonnie Ridgeway as the only active players back from the 29-6 squad that marched to the Division II Final Four.

Burney, a 6-foot-7 forward from Steamboat Springs, Colo., started 34-of-35 games and averaged 5.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 29.6 minutes per game in his second season with the program.

"Cameron informed me he wanted to get closer to home. He missed his family," Osborne said. "He might not even play next year. That's what he told me."

Hardy, a 5-11 point guard from Anchorage, played 8.2 minutes per game and averaged 1.1 points. He collected 35 assists and 22 turnovers.

Playing behind All-America starter Luke Cooper, Hardy figured to see much more playing time as a senior.

But word is he won't return.

"Doug's not told me why he's not coming back," Osborne said. "He has not visited with me. I have not actively sought him out. It came back to me through others that he wasn't going to play anymore."

Hardy is currently academically ineligible, Osborne said, although it wasn't clear Tuesday whether that played a role in his decision. Hardy couldn't be reached for comment.

"We were counting on him ... at the point next year," Osborne said. "Of course, that was before we saw his grades. I don't know if his academics played a part or not. He never really came and told me a specific reason why."

Osborne and his staff members are working to find replacements.

Still, the fact that Burney and Hardy are leaving is somewhat of a surprise given they were both expected to play significant roles in the 2008-09 season.

"It's the way it is," Osborne said. "After 20 years in this business, nothing surprises me."

Find assistant sports editor Van Williams online at adn.com/contact/vwilliams or call 257-4335.

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