Brady Hopes Better Leadership Brings Better Results

(This is the ninth in a series previewing teams in the Sun Belt Conference)

ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES:  Coach:  John Brady (8th season)

2014-15 Record 11-18, 6-14 Sun Belt (Did not qualify for Conference Tournament)

KEY RETURNEES:  F Anthony Livingston (15.9, 10.0) G Sean Gardner (12.0, 3.3), G P. J. Hardwick (130 assists, 1st in Sun Belt), G Frederic Dure (6.3, 2.8)

If you coach long enough, you're going to have one of those years Arkansas State had a year ago.  Head coach John Brady didn't like it much.

"Last season doesn't correlate to this season despite the fact we have a lot of players back.,"  Brady said.  "Last year, our chemistry was bad.  But we've removed 'self' from this team.  I think having twelve new players last year affected us."

Brady will build upon All-Conference forward Anthony Livingston, who was one of two players to average a double double last season.  Livingston can play inside and step out and shoot from the perimeter.  He's 6-8, 230.  "He hurt his knee and didn't practice for a couple of weeks.  But he should be ready by December.  I hope he doesn't miss games.  If he does, I'll have a stroke."  Livingston did play in Arkansas State's exhibition game against Henderson State.

Arkansas State also returns a solid backcourt.  P. J. Hardwick led the league in assists and assist/turnover ratio.  He doesn't look to shoot it a lot but can hit shots if you don't respect his ability as a shooter.  Sean Gardner scored 12 ppg game last year and Brady says he should be better.  Frederic Dure was eligible the second half of the season and averaged six points per game.

"We have to rebound better.  We have to defend better.  And, we have to have better execution on offense.,"  Brady said.  Livingston is a solid rebounder but Brady wants more guys to help out.  "We may have to do it by committee, he said.  They have options with the return of F Kelvin Downs and C Nouhoum Boucoum.  And, watch for 6-5 Kent State transfer Devin Carter as well.

OUTLOOK:  The lack of chemistry was evident last season and it showed in the record.  Brady made a necessary personnel move which will help in that regard.  Brady believes this team has matured and if they have they'll be a lot better.  There's plenty of talent on this club.  Livingston is the best rebounder in the league not named Long.  They have players who can shoot from the outside and players who know how to get to the free throw line.  There are questions inside after Livingston to be sure.  But overall, this team should be a lot better if, in fact, they've removed 'self.'  They're picked fourth, which is probably where they should be picked.  But with the two newcomers, if everyone is on the same page, they're going to be right in the hunt.