MONTGOMERY – The 2014-15 version of the Alabama State men’s basketball team will hit the hardwood when they open the season hosting cross-town neighbor Auburn University Montgomery.
With the return of 11 players from last season, including all five starters, the Hornets have been picked to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in the preseason coaches’ poll. As the excitement builds of what could be an outstanding season, the Hornets are ready to get the season started.
“It’s been exciting,” 10th year Head Coach Lewis Jackson said. “We have all of our guys back this year and we are excited about that. In addition to that we have added some new players as well. So we’re excited about this group and what could happen and we are in here trying to get better each and every day.”
The coaching staff had decided early on to install a new offense and with that installation comes the ups and downs of learning, and that is what has been happening over the course of preseason work.
“At times it (new offense) has worked pretty well and at other times it seems we are having mental lapses where we are not getting the ball out as fast as we want,” Jackson said. “We are trying to catch the ball before it hits the floor and get it out to a guard and push it up the floor to put some pressure on the defensive team. It’s been hit and miss and it’s going to take some time to get in there and do it and make it happen.”
The game with AUM ( Nov. 14) is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. The game time has been pushed back 30 minutes due to the Lady Hornets 5:30 p.m. tip against Stillman earlier. So it will be a double-header opening night for all the ASU fans to see both teams in action to begin the 2014-15 season.
