It does not seem like it is time for it, but the Red Wolves basketball team starts the real season next week.
Yes, there have been some one-sided exhibition victories over a pair of the state’s Division II brethren, and the real season is just around the corner. In fact, it begins Monday night at Jackson State.
By this time, coach John Brady figures to have a pretty good handle on this team; after all there were those three exhibition games in Canada back in August and the two this season. And this team might be a little different than the previous Red Wolves teams we’ve seen.
Expect offense. Lots of offense.
A year ago the Red Wolves, when they shot well, were very good. They always defended well and rebounded, two staples of Brady’s teams, but at times they struggled on offense. When they shot well – note two big regular season victories over Western Kentucky – they were a very strong team. When they didn’t? Well, they could lose to anyone.
Brady’s sixth A-State team is a rather untraditional mix. There are three senior transfers who have all been with the program for two years. Kirk Van Slyke and Melvin Johnson III sat our last year while gaining a final year of eligibility. Then there is Brandon Reed, who broke the hearts of many Red Wolves fans three years ago when he left the program after earning Sun Belt Freshmen of the Year honors. Reed is the caliber of player who can shoot over you or take it to the hoop when you come out and defend him. He is back after spending three seasons at Georgia Tech, having graduated from the Atlanta school.
Those three could team with Kendrick Washington, a 6-7 post who has reshaped his body since last year by losing close to 30 pounds, and Ed Townsel, who has been moved to the point his senior season.
Under Brady the Red Wolves have won two division titles in five years. This might be his deepest team, if all stay healthy.
“We are going to have to defend better and rebound better,’’ said Brady. “If we do that we will be all right.”
There are no divisions this season. The SBC’s 10 teams play a round robin of 18 league games.
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Football. Anybody remember football?
The Red Wolves (4-4, 2-1 SBC) got back on track somewhat with the 17-16 victory over South Alabama last Saturday. With the victory, ASU remains a game back in the conference with UL-Lafayette as the only unbeaten in league play.
Saturday night in Monroe, there will be more separation. UL-Monroe, which has won three straight and is tied with A-State for second, is looking toward a season-finale with the Cajuns that could earn the Warhawks the title. ULL has owned ULM in recent years.
With the loss to ULL last month, ASU needs to win out and have two Cajun losses to have a shot at the third league title. At this point it does not look like ULL will lose again. That makes Saturday’s game that much more important for both A-State and ULM.
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