LITTLE ROCK — If experience has worn down any facets of Arkansas State Coach John Brady’s personality, his blunt honesty isn’t one of them.
Brady didn’t mince words when asked whether the gap between the Red Wolves, who were picked to finish second to preseason favorite North Texas in the Sun Belt Conference West Division, was too large to close.
“I don’t think it is,” Brady said.
He would know, too.
Last season, Arkansas State stunned heavily favored Middle Tennessee, the conference’s top seed and a fringe at-large team for the NCAA Tournament, in the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Earlier in the season, ASU defeated North Texas, led by NBA prospect Tony Mitchell, in Jonesboro.
“It’s very competitive, that on any given night anybody can get beat by anyone,” Brady said. “There are three or four other teams that have some opportunities in terms of winning.”
ASU is certainly one of those, Brady said. ASU has four starters returning from last season’s 14-20 team, plus there are the additions of Houston transfer Kendrick Washington on the low block and freshman point guard Cameron Golden from Memphis.
Among his six returners, Brady brings back 73.4 percent of ASU’s scoring, 66.7 percent of its rebounding and 88.4 percent of its assists.
The Red Wolves’ backcourt is stable with the return of senior guard Trey Finn, who averaged 11.6 points per game but is the best on-ball defender and rebounding wing. Alongside Finn, guard Marcus Hooten, who averaged a team-leading 12.5 points per game, is also back in the fold.
“Marcus Hooten was a JUCO player that had to come in and find his place early, and got a lot more consistent toward the end of the year,” Brady said. “He’s a much better defender now. We showed him tape all last spring and some this summer where he wasn’t defensively where he needed to be and he’s really bought into that.
Inside, Arkansas State benefits from the consistent production of forward Brandon Peterson, who posted 9.2 points per game and a team-leading 7.9 rebounds per game.
“He’s a guy we recruited when we came, and he’s been in the program now four years,” Brady said. “You know, he could possibly average a double-double — good rebounder, good scorer, will be a better perimeter shooter now.”
Junior point guard Ed Townsel is also back, but his distribution ability (103 assists) is offset by a careless streak (109 turnovers). Golden, 6-0, 154, from Memphis, is adept at scoring and running ASU’s new ball-screen oriented offense.
Arkansas State women’s Coach Brian Boyer saw his roster turned over significantly after a 12-18 finish last season.
The Red Wolves bring in eight new faces this season, but the biggest loss is the departure of swing player NeNe Hurst, who averaged 11.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season.
Hurst was a utility player, able to move from guard on the press break to fronting a forward in the low post.
“She was one player with so many different roles,” Boyer said. “NeNe was capable of creating her own shot, and our guards are very talented, but I don’t know if they’re ready to do that just yet.”
Junior forward Jane Morrill, who led the Red Wolves with 16.2 points per game and 5.5 rebounds, takes over Hurst’s role, made easier by the presence other returning starters — guards Ashley Olvera, Quinishia McDowell and Andi Watson.
Morrill’s productivity was well known, but Boyer said “she’s really bought into fitness” and is “a little bit quicker” and “jumping a little better.”
“She’s just been more durable early on in practice,” said Boyer, whose team is picked to finish second in the Sun Belt West Division behind UALR. “She’s very talented and skilled, but it’s just physically being able to handle the wear and tear.”
And in spite of potentially needing nametags in practice, Boyer is optimistic entering the final season of his contract.
“Just having a lot of fun,” Boyer said. “I’m having a ball with this group. There’s a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm.”
At a glance
ASU MEN
COACH John Brady (61-65, 4th season) LAST YEAR 14-20 overall, 6-10 Sun Belt; fifth in West KEY LOSSES F Malcoln Kirkland (12.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg); G Adam Sterrenberg (3.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg) KEY RETURNERS Marcus Hooten, senior, guard (12.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg); Trey Finn, senior, guard (11.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Brandon Peterson, senior, forward (9.2 ppg, 7.9 rpg); Ed Townsel, junior, guard (9.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg) KEY NEWCOMERS F Seth Kisler, 6-8, 198 pounds; F Kendrick Washington, 6-7, 274; Cameron Golden, 6-0, 154.
ASU WOMEN
COACH Brian Boyer (211-185 in 13th season) LAST YEAR 12-18 overall, 6-10 Sun Belt Conference; fifth in Sun Belt West Division KEY LOSSES G NeNe Hurst (11.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Meghan Lewis (4.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg). KEY RETURNERS Jane Morrill, Jr., forward (16.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Ashley Olvera, Sr., guard (8.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg); Quinishia McDowell, Sr., forward (7.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg); Andi Watson, Sr., guard (5.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
Sports, Pages 29 on 11/04/2012