Q & A with men's basketball coach Bob Marlin
11/11/2009 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Q&A WITH SAM HOUSTON
MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH BOB MARLIN
QUESTION:
There's a lot of excitement about the men's basketball team this year. What's the attitude of the team coming into the season?
BOB MARLIN:
We've got an experienced group back with all four of our guards returning. After losing the opening Southland Conference game to SFA by two points , we won 12 of next 15 games to finish really strong. We were picked to finish third in the division in the preseason poll last year and won the division.
We got upset in the first round of the tournament and that did not settle well with these guys. They want to have another good season this year and have a better result in the tournament and getting to the NCAA tournament.
QUESTION:
How have the early practices gone for the team?
BOB MARLIN:
Practices have been good and competitive with good guard play.
We lost Barkley Falkner, the "Student-Athlete of the Year" in the Southland Conference last season - the third year in a row for a Bearkat to win that honor. Barkley also was the leading rebounder in the Southland. We have to get an inside guy to take over Barkley's role.
Antuan Bootle has really worked hard during the off-season and has picked up his game. Gilberto Clavell, a junior college transfer, gives us added punch. He is picking up the system quickly. We have two new freshmen Kelly Lawson and Aaron Thompson who continue to improve. Preston Brown is back at 100 percent after some health problems last season. Arthur Zulu is playing better than ever as well.
If we can keep everybody healthy especially our frontline, then we have a chance to accomplish a lot.
QUESTION:
Ashton Mitchell and Corey Allmond give you one of the top backcourt duos in the Southland Conference. What do they do to complement each other in your attack?
BOB MARLIN:
Ashton and Corey are roommates. They're close off the court as well as on.
Ashton is a very good ball handler. In my 28 years in basketball, Ashton Mitchell is the most athletic point guard I've coached. He is a hard worker on the court and off. He earned his college degree in three years and is working now on a second major.
Ashton is the passer and the facilitator. Corey is the shooter. He set a school record with 99 three point baskets and ranked in the top 15 in three point shooting in the nation last year.
Even though they are short in stature, Ashton and Corey are very good in what they bring to the table.
I feel good about what they have accomplished and what they will accomplish this season.
QUESTION:
What area do you believe the team must improve upon to succeed this year?
BOB MARLIN:
We were not as good defensively last year as most of our past teams. Two years ago we had an outstanding defense but couldn't score. Last year, we put a lot of points on the board but we were not consistent defensively.
Our players realize this and they have worked hard to improve their defensive skills. If we're going to play into March, we're going to have to get better defensively.
QUESTION:
You face a very challenging non-conference schedule in November and December. How is this going to help your team?
BOB MARLIN:
Our non-conference schedule is tough but it will help prepare us for the Southland league and tournament play. Playing at Kentucky at Rupp Arena is truly an exciting experience. I know the team is looking forward to it. We also play at Auburn, Wright State and Cleveland State and have Florida International and Louisiana-Lafayette coming to Huntsville. It's a schedule that is going to make us a better team.
QUESTION:
Another highlight of your schedule will be a trip to Cancun, Mexico for the Cancun Classic. Are your players looking forward to that trip?
BOB MARLIN:
We have a very close group of young men on our team. A visit to a first event like the Cancun Classic will be a special opportunity to come together as a unit. That kind of team chemistry has been one of our team strengths over the years. These guys work hard together and are an unselfish group. They'll have fun.
Don't forget the $1 Basketball Ticket On-Line Sale
$1 general admission and $5 reserved tickets for all men's and women's basketball games in November and December will be made available in a special promotional offer for just 72 hours beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday November 11.
Area fans may purchase tickets online only via www.gobearkats.com for this one-time only opportunity to see any or all of those six contests for just $1 a game.
Use this link to learn more about the $1 Basketball Ticket Sale for 72-Hours for November and December basketball home games.
For more information on tickets to all Bearkat home athletic events, go to www.gobearkats.com or contact the Sam Houston athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
