Game 8
ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES
at Saint Louis Billikens
Monday, November  30, 2009  7:00 p.m.
Chaifetz Arena (10,600)  St. Louis, Missouri
Radio:  KWHF 95.9 FM "The Wolf" & AStateRedWolves.com
LiveStats Available at AStateRedWolves.com

TIPPING IT OFF:  The Arkansas State Red Wolves begin a two-game road trip Monday night when they travel to St. Louis, Mo. to take on the Billikens of Saint Louis in a 7:00 p.m. game at Chaifetz Arena.  The game may be heard on KWHF 95.9 FM "The Wolf" and through the StateZone portion of AStateRedWolves.com.  LiveStats  will also be available at AStateRedWolves.com.

THE TEAMS:  Arkansas State will be trying to put an end to a four-game losing streak when the Red Wolves take the court Monday night against the Billikens.  The Red Wolves were defeated at home by Missouri State and Louisiana Tech in their last two games.  Prior to that, ASU went 0-2 against Virginia Commonwealth and Seton Hall at the Nov. 20-21 Seton Hall Classic in South Orange, N.J.  Saint Louis stopped a three-game skid Saturday when the Billikens came through with a 72-55 victory over Montana at the Marriott Los Angeles Westside Classic.  Before their victory over Montana, the Billikens were defeated by Loyola Marymount, Butler and Missouri State after opening their season with a 71-45 home victory over Southern Illinois.

THE SAINT LOUIS SERIES:  Arkansas State holds a 6-0 advantage in the series, but the two teams have not met since the 1989-90 season when ASU won 70-37 in Jonesboro. Arkansas State is 3-0 against the Billikens in games played in St. Louis and 3-0 in games played in Jonesboro. 
 
THE COACHES:  Arkansas State head coach Brian Boyer is in his 11th season at the helm of the Red Wolves program.  Boyer holds a career record of 170-140 and has directed the Red Wolves to the Women's National Invitation Tournament four times, including three of the past five years.  Boyer is assisted by Tanya Ray, Rebecca Peoples and Jennifer Sullivan.  Shimmy Grey-Miller is in her fifth season as head coach at Saint Louis, holding a career record of 43-78.

BOYER CLIMBING:  With 89 Sun Belt Conference victories, ASU head coach Brian Boyer is now fourth all-time in Sun Belt Conference wins.  Boyer trails FIU head coach Cindy Russo, who is in third place with 94 wins to her credit.  Former Louisiana Tech head coach Leon Barmore tops the list with 135 SBC victories.  With 168 overall victories to his credit, Boyer is in second place on the Arkansas State all-time wins list, trailing only Jerry Ann Winters, who finished with 196 victories in 11 seasons at ASU.

ALL-TOURNAMENT HONORS:  Senior Ebonie Jefferson was named to the all-tournament team at the Anaconda Sports & The Rock Seton Hall Classic last weekend following her performance in ASU's two games.  Jefferson scored in double figures in both of ASU's games, finishing with 11 points against Virginia Commonwealth in the Red Wolves' opening game before repeating the effort in Saturday's consolation game against Seton Hall.  Jefferson also had five steals and eight rebounds in the two-game classic.  Jefferson was joined on the team by Kandice Green of Seton Hall, Corin Adams and Erin Hawkins of Morgan State and La'Tavia Rorie and D'Andra Moss of VCU, with Moss earning MVP honors.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE-DOUBLES: Senior forward Lyndsay Schlup and junior forward Shay Scott both recorded double-doubles against Arkansas-Pine Bluff to mark the Red Wolves' first game with two double-doubles since Scott and senior guard Ebonie Jefferson each doubled-up against North Texas during the 2007-08 season.  Schlup finished the UAPB game with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Scott scored 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.  Schlup's double-double was the second of her career while Scott has now piled up 13 double-doubles.

RAISING THE BAR:  Senior guard Ebonie Jefferson scored a career-high 27 points in ASU's 73-65 loss to Missouri State Nov. 27.  Jefferson went to the line 12 times against the Lady Bears, where she connected on a career-high 11 free throws...Senior forward Lyndsay Schlup connected on her first career three-pointer against the Lady Bears and played a career-high 37 minutes... Sophomore guard NeNe Hurst logged a career-high 38 minutes against Missouri State...Junior transfer Breaunna Ellison recorded her first career assist and steal.  Ellison also grabbed a career-best three rebounds in the game.

CLEANING THE GLASS:  The Red Wolves tied a Convocation Center record for rebounding in their 72-58 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff when ASU ripped down 71 rebounds against the Golden Lions, matching the mark set against Ouachita Baptist Dec. 13, 1988.  Arkansas State's 71 rebounds in the game was just shy of the school record of 75 set against UAPB during the 1975-76 season.  The Red Wolves' 34 offensive rebounds against UAPB topped the previous Convocation Center high of 33 set against Central Florida Feb. 14, 1991.

WORKING OVERTIME:  With their 80-79 overtime win at Kansas State Nov. 16, the Red Wolves have improved to 9-0 during the regular season in overtime games under head coach Brian Boyer.  Six of those games have been played on the road, with the remaining three at home.  In all overtime games played under Boyer, the Red Wolves stand at 8-2, falling to New Mexico State in double overtime in the 2004 Sun Belt Conference Tournament and to New Orleans in the 2002 SBC Tournament.
Overtime Games Under Boyer
2009-10 - ASU 80, @ Kansas State 79
2008-09 - ASU 76, @ Indiana St. 68
2007-08 - ASU 72, FIU 64
2006-07 - ASU 65, @ ULL 58
2004-05 - ASU 85, @ FIU 74
2003-04 - ASU 86, @ UALR 79
2003-04 - N. Mexico St. 71, ASU 56 (2OT)
at Bowling Green, Kentucky
Sun Belt Conference Tournament
2002-03 - ASU 69, UNO 63
2002-03 - ASU 63, Belmont 62
2001-02 - UNO 51, ASU 47
at New Orleans, Louisiana
Sun Belt Conference Tournament
2000-01 - ASU 79, @ McNeese 74

RECORDS WATCH:  With her six rebounds against Missouri State, junior forward Shay Scott continues to climb the ASU career rebounding charts and is in 16th place with 495 boards. Scott will move into the top-15 when she snares her 502nd rebound. Scott is also among the career leaders for blocked shots, moving into a tie for seventh place against the Lady Techsters Nov. 24 when she blocked her 50th shot.  Senior forward Lyndsay Schlup has 48 blocked shots in her career to rank 10th all-time at ASU.  Senior guard Ebonie Jefferson has 110 steals in her career after her three thefts against Missouri State and is now in a tie for 18th place on the all-time steals chart.

THE RED WOLVES AT HOME:  Over the last five-plus years, the ASU women's basketball program boasts a winning percentage of .795 (70-18) at the ASU Convocation Center.  The Red Wolves are 209-64 (.765) all-time at the Convocation Center and 98-41 (.705) under head coach Brian Boyer.

SBC HONORS:  Arkansas State senior Ebonie Jefferson (Laurel, Miss.) has been named preseason third-team All-Sun Belt Conference, and the Red Wolves are picked third in the Sun Belt West Division preseason poll as voted on by the league's 13 head coaches, the conference office announced Oct. 20.
"I expect Ebonie to play at an all-conference level this season," said ASU head coach Brian Boyer.  "I can't imagine that there is a tougher competitor or a harder worker in the league. I am so proud of how far Ebonie has come during her career, and I look forward to her continued improvement this season."
Jefferson  scored in double figures in 14 of ASU's last 17 games a year ago, had 19 double-figure games on the season and led ASU in scoring with an 11.8 points-per-game average, a figure that climbed to 13.0 points-per-game in Sun Belt Conference play.
The Red Wolves return three of their top four scorers and four of the top five rebounders from last year's team that finished 16-14.

ASU IN SEASON OPENERS:  The Red Wolves are 20-16 all-time in season openers, with a record of 7-14 when opening the season on the road.  Under head coach Brian Boyer, the Red Wolves are 6-5 in season-openers, including a 3-5 record when opening on the road.

LAST TIME OUT:  JONESBORO, Ark. (11-27-2009) -  Arkansas State guard Ebonie Jefferson scored a career-high 27 points, but the Missouri State Bears (3-1) countered with a career-high 35 points, 17 rebounds and five steals from sophomore guard Casey Garrison to defeat the Red Wolves 73-65 Friday night at the ASU Convocation Center.
Jefferson hit 8-of-16 shots from the field and 11-of-12 from the free throw line before fouling out with 2:59 remaining in the game.  With Arkansas State (2-5) trailing by six at 64-58, Jefferson drove to the basket and was whistled for the charging foul to end the night for the senior from Laurel, Mississippi. 
Missouri State answered with a jumper from Garrison to take a 66-58 lead with 2:47 to play.  Arkansas State closed within five on a three-pointer from sophomore guard NeNe Hurst with 1:11 remaining that cut the Lady Bear lead to 70-65, but the Red Wolves were unable to score again and Missouri State hit three-of-four from the free throw line in the waning seconds to set the final score at 73-65.
"Ebonie was great," said ASU head coach Brian Boyer.  "When she shoots 50 percent from the floor, you know she is getting great looks and getting to the basket.  It's a bonus when she is knocking down free throws because she is going to get to the line because of how aggressive she is.  Going 11-of-12 from the line was huge for her and for us."
Missouri State took advantage of 11 ASU turnovers in the first eight minutes of the game to take a 22-9 lead before Arkansas State battled back with a 21-6 run to go up 30-28 with 5:16 remaining in the first half.  Missouri State answered with an 11-2 run to give the Lady Bears a 39-32 advantage at the break.
"Missouri State came out and hit us hard early," said Boyer.  "I thought our energy was there. Maybe almost too much because we came out and had too many turnovers that helped them build the lead. In the second half, we did a much better job of taking care of the basketball.  But our rebounding went away and we gave up too many second opportunities."
The Lady Bears grabbed 10 offensive rebounds in the second half to help Missouri State finish with a 40-35 advantage on the boards, with Garrison pulling down 10 offensive rebounds on the night.
Senior forward Lyndsay Schlup led ASU on the boards with 13 rebounds.  Arkansas State also got a double-digit scoring effort from Hurst, who finished with 10 points.

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP:  In an effort to help acclimate Arkansas State's international students to life in the United States, the ASU women's basketball program began a partnership with the university's international community by holding a basketball clinic Sunday evening at the ASU Convocation Center.
Over 80 international students were on hand as the team members and coaching staff introduced themselves and introduced the students to Red Wolves women's basketball.  The students joined the team on the court for drills and fundamental instruction, then enjoyed a pizza party to wrap up the night's activities.
"This is a semester-long project that got underway with the clinic last night," said ASU head coach Brian Boyer.  "We wanted to let our international students know how much we appreciate them and to encourage them to be more involved with all of the activities on campus.  We also wanted to increase their awareness of athletics here at Arkansas State, introduce them to the Convocation Center and allow them to get to know our team."
Arkansas State's players will partner with an international student throughout the semester, meeting with the student for at least an hour each week to help them become familiar with Arkansas State and ease their transition to life in the United States.
The women's basketball team will salute ASU's international students at the Nov. 18 home opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.  Next week's game has been designated as "International Students Night" at the Convocation Center.

RED WOLVES ADD MORRILL:  JONESBORO, Ark. (11/11/09) - Arkansas State head coach Brian Boyer announced Wednesday that Scott City, Mo. standout Jane Morrill has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her basketball career at Arkansas State University.
A 6'1" forward, Morrill is on pace to top the 1,000-point mark in her career at Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau, Mo. and averages 15.7 points and nine rebounds per game.  She is a two-time All-Conference, All-District and All-Regional selection, earning conference MVP honors following her sophomore year with the Bulldogs.  She has blocked 151 shots over the past two seasons at Notre Dame and is expected to finish her career as the school's all-time leader. 
"From day one, Jane was our number one recruit, and we were so excited when she committed to us," said Boyer.  "She is going to be an impact front-line player at this level.  She is not only a very good scorer, but she is a very versatile post player.  She understands the game and passes it very well for a player her size."
In addition to her skills on the basketball court, Morrill is a two-time All-State softball player at Notre Dame, also earning All-Conference, All-District and All-Regional honors along the way.  She is the daughter of Alan and Carla Morrill.
"Jane is the total package," said Notre Dame head coach Renee Peters.  "She has size, shooting ability, passing ability, shot blocking ability and rebounding ability.  She knows the game so well.  She can see the game set up and know how to thread the needle with passes.  She is also an excellent perimeter shooter and ball handler.  You are not going to see many girls her size take the ball behind their back when they take someone one-on-one.  But she isn't someone who worries about cushioning stats and making herself look better; she wants to win and however that falls in place is fine with her."

QEDAN INKS WITH ASU:  JONESBORO, Ark. (11/11/09) - Arkansas State head coach Brian Boyer announced Wednesday that Hanna Qedan, a 5'11" guard from Farmington, Ark., has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Red Wolves lineup for the 2010-11 season.
"Hanna can really shoot the ball," said Boyer.  "To go along with that, she has very good size for a guard, so she is able to get a shot off on a lot of people.  But the thing that really stands out about her is her explosiveness.  She handles the ball just as well left or right, so she is more than just a shooter, she is a very good all-around guard."
The Farmington High School standout averages 19.4 points per game, 11.0 rebounds per game and four blocks per game.  She has 19 double-doubles so far in her career and owns a 32-point career-high game.  She was named All-Conference and an AAO Top 25 Camp nominee.  She was selected to the All-Northwest Arkansas team, the All-County team, the KURM Dream Team and was a Top 10 All-American Camp participant.
"Hanna is a tenacious player on both ends of the floor," said Farmington head coach Brad Johnson.  "She is a big guard who has a great face-up game.  She can shoot it from outside, but probably her biggest asset is her explosiveness to the basket.  She gets to the basket quickly with either hand and she is big enough and physical enough that she can take it down low and post up.  She is a very versatile player and knowing the offensive sets that Coach Boyer runs at ASU, she is tailor-made for them offensively."
She is the daughter of Bashar and Jeri Qedan.

MADDOX SIGNS WITH ASU:  JONESBORO, Ark. (11/11/09) - Arkansas State head coach Brian Boyer announced Wednesday that Millington (Tenn.) Central guard/forward Olivia Maddox has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her basketball career at ASU.
Maddox, 5'11", was a Class 3-A All-State Tournament selection following her sophomore year in which she averaged 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and helped lead Millington to a state runner-up finish.  She was also named Memphis Best of Preps and earned All-District honors following the 2007-08 season. 
"Olivia has been a part of one of the most successful programs in the Memphis area," said Boyer.  "In addition to being on a very successful team, they are very well balanced in terms of scoring.  She is a great athlete who really fits our system well and is someone that our fans will enjoy watching over the next four years.  Olivia is very athletic, very smooth to the basket and is a great offensive rebounder.  It is unfortunate that she didn't get to play last year due to a knee injury, but her best basketball is ahead of her and we have all the confidence that she is going to be a great player for us."
"I think Arkansas State is getting a young lady with a lot of athleticism who has a lot of upside to her game," said Millington head coach Stan Gatlin.  "She has great rebounding ability, jumping ability and great defensive intensity.  She has the ability to play different positions from the wing to the post and will be a great addition to Arkansas State's team."
Maddox is the daughter of Rosalind Brown.

SEASON OUTLOOK:  An interesting mix of veterans and newcomers will take the floor for Arkansas State when the Red Wolves tip off the 2009-10 season Nov. 13 at Creighton.  The Red Wolves return three of their top four scorers and four of the top five rebounders from last year's team that finished 16-14, but only six players on the roster have ever taken the court in an Arkansas State uniform.  Seven new faces will join the veterans, and head coach Brian Boyer is excited about the Red Wolves' potential as the season unfolds.
"It's been a great team to work with," said Boyer when asked about workouts leading up to his 11th season at ASU.  "I like their discipline, work ethic and chemistry.  The challenge for us is getting the mix together because we are split half-and-half with returners and newcomers. Fortunately the returners are doing a good job of setting a positive tone, working hard and giving us good leadership."
The returners are led by a pair of seniors who are both seasoned veterans after seeing considerable playing time over the last three years.  Senior guard Ebonie Jefferson (5'9") returns after leading the Red Wolves in scoring (11.8 ppg) and field goal percentage (.466) a year ago.  Jefferson started in 27 of 29 games that she played in a year ago and logged 46 steals - second best on the team and tops among returners.
"Last year Ebonie played at an all-conference level, and I'll be disappointed if we don't get that out of her this year," said Boyer.  "I think she can play at that level and has put herself into being an all-conference candidate because of her toughness and work ethic."
Senior forward Lyndsay Schlup (6'2") started in 11 of ASU's games a year ago, averaging 4.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.  Schlup averaged over 18 minutes per game last season, and her rebounding numbers were third-best on the team.  With 41 blocked shots in her career, Schlup is at No. 9 in the ASU record books heading into her senior season.
"If there was an all-conference role-player team, Lyndsay would be on that team," said Boyer.  "She's a player that won't lead us in scoring or stat categories, but is capable of leading the team in minutes played.  She is that valuable and does everything well.  She scores decently, rebounds well, defends great, moves the ball well and is going to play hard all the time."
One of only two juniors on the team, and the only junior with playing experience, Shay Scott (6'2") started all 30 games a year ago at forward for the Red Wolves.  Scott was a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection a year ago after an outstanding freshman season and led ASU in rebounding at 6.7 boards per game.  She was third in scoring at 9.4 points per outing, and her 27 blocked shots represent the ninth-best total ever at Arkansas State in a single season.  With 46 career blocked shots, Scott enters her junior season already at No. 8 in the ASU record books.
"We are going to lean heavily on Shay this year," Boyer said.  "She had a stellar freshman season and was a little bit unknown.  Her numbers as a sophomore didn't increase a ton because she drew every double-team.  She became the focal point of opponents' defenses.  I think this year she is going to more capable of handling that role."
Junior guard/forward Breaunna Ellison (5'9") joins the Red Wolves after transferring from Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas where she averaged 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Lady Bearcats last season.
"Bre fits well with this team," said Boyer.  "I expect her to be a very good defender.  She is very good out in the open court and her strength is a lot like Ebonie Jefferson and will allow her to rebound and get to the basket."
Guard NeNe Hurst (5'10") leads a trio of sophomores who all saw playing time last year as freshmen.  Hurst was fourth on the team in scoring a year ago and is the Red Wolves' top returning threat from beyond the three-point arc.  Hurst averaged 8.9 points per game last year, hitting 32 three-pointers along the way while shooting .348 outside the three-point line.
"I'll be shocked if NeNe is not playing at the all-conference level this year," said Boyer.  "She came in with high expectations as a freshman but went out with a knee injury.  I thought she did a great job for us last year, but I don't think she had the confidence on that leg as she did prior to the injury.  We are going to have to use her at the point guard or shooting guard spot. We need for her to have a huge year for us."
Guard Meghan Lewis (5'8") played in six games as a true freshman but could emerge as a key player for ASU in her second season.
"If we had to give a most improved player award it would go to Meghan," said Boyer.  "Last year as a freshman she was a very good shooter, but she has really worked hard this offseason to improve herself athletically.  She is going to be more capable defensively and putting the ball on the floor."
At 6'4", center Linsay Henke is the tallest player on the ASU roster.  Henke saw action in 12 games a year ago before going down with a broken foot. 
"I was disappointed last year losing Linsay, but I've been pleased this year because I thought it would take her longer to get back than it has," said Boyer.  "It looks like she hasn't appeared to miss a beat as her conditioning has gotten better. She is as athletic as any 6-4 player in this league, and we'll try to utilize that to our advantage.  I think we'll see the best impact from her defensively and in rebounding."
Redshirt freshman guard Quinishia McDowell (5'8") has been in the ASU program for a year is expected to make a quick impact after sitting out last season with an injury.
"'Q' is going to be an immediate player for us this year either starting or coming off the bench," said Boyer.  "She gives us great energy, is a great communicator on the court and I think she will excel on the defensive end."
Five true freshmen fill out the remainder of the ASU roster, and all are expected to see the court during their first season at Arkansas State.
Guard/forward Jasmine Taylor (5'10") comes to ASU after averaging 14 points and six rebounds last year at Memphis Central.
"Jasmine is a winner," said Boyer.  "She lost very few games in her high school career.  Very few players come into a D1 program as fundamentally sound and as skilled as she is."
Guard Shatara Stone (5'9") joins the Red Wolves after finishing as the all-time leading scorer in girls or boys basketball at Union Christian in Ft. Smith.   Stone averaged 24.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and five assists last season with the Lady Eagles, hitting 73 percent from the free throw line and 41 percent from beyond the three-point arc. 
"Shatara is very athletic and can really shoot the ball," said Boyer.   "She has really good range and I'm more and more pleased with how athletically she fits in at this level.  She attacks the basket well and once she learns the system she'll be a good defender too."
Forward Jessica Brown (6'1") averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists for Memphis Booker T. Washington last season, shooting over 53 percent from the floor with the ability to connect from three-point range.
"Jessica is a very skilled post player," said Boyer.  "Her biggest strength is her passing ability. She can really see the floor, is a very good decision maker and can shoot the three really well too."
Guard LaWanda Clayborn (5'9") averaged 16.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, four assists and two steals a year ago at Memphis Melrose.
"LaWanda is as good as an athlete you'll find in this league," said Boyer.  "She can really run and really jump. She is one of those guards that can shoot the three, she can shoot the pull up jumper, and she can take it to the hole.  She's really got the total package offensively."
Guard Andi Watson (5'8") only needed to cross town to join the ASU program.  A standout last year at Nettleton High School in Jonesboro, Watson averaged 17 points, 8.4 rebounds and two steals during her senior season. 
"Andi is very strong and very athletic," said Boyer.  "Her perimeter skills are better than most people gave her credit for coming out of high school.  Initially, I think she will excel for us defensively.  She can really defend and will be able to rebound, too."
Fourteen home games, including regional matchups with Louisiana Tech, Missouri State and Southern Illinois, along with nine home Sun Belt Conference games highlight the 2009-10 schedule. 
A pair of exhibition games are also on the home slate before the regular season gets underway Nov. 13 when the Red Wolves travel to Omaha, Neb. to take on the Creighton Bluejays.  Following the season-opener at Creighton, ASU's road trip will continue to Kansas State, where ASU will take on the Wildcats in a Nov. 16 matchup.  Both of ASU's opponents on the season-opening road swing participated in post-season play a year ago, with Creighton playing in the Women's National Invitation Tournament and Kansas State advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.
"The opening weekend when we go to Creighton and to Kansas State will be as tough of a weekend as our program has had in a long time," said ASU head coach Brian Boyer.  "Those are two challenging games on the road that will be a great early gauge for this team."
The Red Wolves' home opener is scheduled for Nov. 18 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, followed by a trip to South Orange, N.J. for the Seton Hall Classic.  Arkansas State will take on Virginia Commonwealth in the opening round of the SHU Classic, then face Seton Hall or Morgan State in the second round.
"The tournament at Seton Hall will be a great trip for the team," said Boyer.  "It will be a great experience and on top of that, it is a great tournament and one where we hope to be able to take on a Big East team in the championship game."
Following the Seton Hall Classic, the Red Wolves will return home for regional matchups against Louisiana Tech and Missouri State, taking on the Lady Techsters Nov. 24 and the Lady Bears Nov. 27.
"Those are two programs that when you look at women's basketball through the years, both of those teams have as good a tradition as there is in this area," said Boyer.  "Missouri State is a contest where we have continued to renew that contract and certainly hope to in the future, and Louisiana Tech is a series that we are excited to start back again after being off a few years."
After road trips to St. Louis and Northern Arizona, the Red Wolves return to Jonesboro to face Texas-Arlington Dec. 15 before hosting Arkansas-Little Rock Dec. 19 to open Sun Belt Conference play.  The final non-conference game is scheduled for Dec. 22 at home against Southern Illinois.
"St. Louis is another natural non-conference opponent for us," continued Boyer.  "We have some players from that area and it is a good opportunity to get them home so that they can play in front of their families.  It is also another chance for our program to show off against another good women's basketball league in the Atlantic 10, which has become a very strong conference.  It is another opportunity for us to represent the Sun Belt.  We are starting a series with UT-Arlington and fans may not be aware of how good they have been in the past.  They are a team that has been very, very successful in past years, and we are excited to get them at home.  Southern Illinois is a series that we started last year and has the potential to be a very good regional rivalry."
The Red Wolves will also host North Texas, Middle Tennessee, Louisiana-Lafayette, Denver, Louisiana-Monroe, Western Kentucky, New Orleans and Troy in Sun Belt Conference matchups at the ASU Convocation Center.  
"Our non-conference schedule exposes us to things that will prepare us for Sun Belt Conference play," said Boyer.  "As a whole, this has the makings for one of the stronger years in the Sun Belt in quite some time.  When you look across the league at the number of all-conference players returning, this has a chance to be a really strong year in the Sun Belt."
The Sun Belt Conference Tournament is scheduled for March 6-9 at Summit Arena in Hot Springs.  In a departure from the past three seasons, all tournament games will now be played in Hot Springs, eliminating the need for on-campus, first-round games.
"This is one of those teams as a coach I'm looking forward to coaching," said Boyer.  "Number one, they have the work ethic and the drive you want as a coach.  It's going to be fun to watch these young players grow up and watch the mix come together as the season goes on.  By no means do I expect us to be at the top of our game in November or even December, but I do think this is a team that will continually get better as the year goes on.  The question mark with this team is how soon things will start to click for us.  It's going to be a lot of fun to coach this group and get this mix to work together.'