Jason Hooten-coached Kats debut Saturday at Johnson
11/11/2010 5:51:00 PM | Athletics
Jason Hooten, the 19th head coach in the 93-year history of Sam Houston State University men's basketball, takes the floor for the first time Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. when the Bearkats open their 2010-11 schedule by hosting Mary Hardin-Baylor at Johnson Coliseum.
Hooten admitted that he wasn't nervous about making his debut. But he did say that he wasn't sure exactly what to expect today when the Bearkats tip off the season at home against the Crusaders.
"It feels good to finally get things started. Today is our 25th practice," Hooten said while the Kats worked out at the HKC on Friday afternoon. "When you practice against each other, you really don't know what to expect. You have to watch your defense go up against your offense and vice versa, and you want both to do good, but it isn't the same as going up against another team.
"I don't know what to expect, but I do like our intensity and the way we have gone about our business and how hard we have worked. We haven't put a lot of our stuff in yet, but I'm happy with where we are at."
The Bearkats welcome four newcomers to the mix today in freshman guard Byron Randle and junior college transfers Marcus Williams, Marcus James and Nafis Richardson.
Hooten will really get a chance to see what kind of impact at least three of those guys will have on Sam Houston this season today. James is likely to sit out the Mary Hardin-Baylor game with an injury, but the 6-7 forward is expected back possibly as early as next week.
"We have four new guys and I think all four will play key roles for us this season," Hooten said. "Not (today) because one of the four will not suit up, but Nafis Richardson, Marcus Williams and Byron Randle will all get a chance to get in there."
What Hooten does know is what to expect out of the returners off last year's Southland Conference regular-season and tournament championship team.
Seniors Gilberto Clavell, Josten Crow and Lance Pevehouse and junior Drae Murray and sophomore Aaron Thompson all played roles as the Bearkats rolled to an overall record of 25-8 and came close to upsetting Baylor in the opening round of the NCAA tournament back in March.
Junior Antuan Bootle also returns, but will miss tonight's game with an illiness. Redshirt freshman Kelly Lawson will make his debut today as well.
Those guys should help the newcomers work out any kinks in nonconference action.
"We have a good nucleus returning and that has helped us," Hooten said. "They know about competition and what to expect in this level of the game. Some of these JUCO guys have never played on this level before, so they don't know what is going to happen or what to expect, yet. It's good to have that group of players back."
The Bearkats have a long way to go before they need to be where they need to be to make a run at defending their SLC title.
In the meantime, there are some things that Hooten would like to see out of his group tonight in order to get the season off on the right foot.
"I want to see hard play. I want us to be physical, be intense, play hard and communicate. You know, the little things fundamentally that we have worked on all fall," the coach added. "I don't want to see anybody take a play off. That is what we will be looking for."
The new "Elite 8" ticket package offers Sam Houston fans the opportunity to see the defending Southland Conference men's basketball champions play eight big home games at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum this season.
The plan gives fans the opportunity to purchase a ticket to seven Saturday night games against NCAA Division I opponents (matchups with Houston, Cleveland State, Nicholls, UTSA, Southeastern Louisiana, A&M-Corpus Christi and Texas State) plus the Stephen F. Austin rivalry game on Wednesday, January 26 - all eight games for the remarkable price of only $50. The "Elite 8" ticket package is on sale now online on www.gobearkats.com/tickets .
Sam Houston follows up its season opener with a non-conference encounter with Northwestern Oklahoma State on Monday November 15 at 7 p.m.
Fans may purchase tickets now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at 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. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1764.
