The Arkansas State Red Wolves struggled through another tough season in a conference they just did not belong in. The Red Wolves were overmatched from the get go in the Sun Belt conference and truthfully may be overmatched playing in Division One.  They were monsters in the Southland just a few years back and were a legitimate powerhouse in Division Two not long before that. Even when the Southland did move up to D-1 ASU was not quite as good and have been a shambles since joining this league.  This just goes to show the difference in a good Mid Major and the bottom of the heap in college basketball. The Red Wolves under Coach Nelson Catalina only won 9 games all year and two of those were double overtime miracles.  The fans of this program are not abundant and for good reason.  This team has a long way to go before it will be competitive on a regular basis but there are rumors the new coach is putting together a wine mixer to try and get some new recruits to come to Jonesboro.  That might be a hard sell in these parts. 

There is a little hope going into the season in Jonesboro as Coach Catalina has a nucleus of returning seniors who not too long ago had some success when this program first jumped up into the D-1 world.  The administration decided to jump into the Sun Belt with both feet a few years back. With all of the changing faces of this transient conference many believed this team’s experience would help them at least compete for an upper division spot.  With power Jacksonville leaving for TAAC and getting replaced by a young developing program in Florida International to keep a presence in Florida the Sun Belt was looking less formidable then it had been.  Of course, Western Kentucky was still the top team on the Hill and would be hard to knock off but ASU did have that crew of upperclassmen and Catalina had brought in some fresh young talent to fill in the holes. But last year was abysmal and whether it was injuries, chemistry or just not enough talent at certain positions the Red Wolves were not ready for the prime time of the Sun Belt. Nobody in Jonesboro is putting the blame on a superior front line that was dominant in the Southland but seems pedestrian in the Sun Belt but maybe they should. 

Senior forward Jerry Rook has been the number one option for this team since this home town kid enrolled at ASU three years ago.  This Nettleton High legend (he led the small school to a state championship scoring 52 points in the title game) was recruited by everyone and I do mean everyone.  This kid had offers from all across the country including one from Adoph Rupp himself to go and play for the Wildcats. This homebody decided to stay at home and the Red Wolves could not have been happier.  He instantly became the primary offensive weapon and has led the team in scoring all three years in Jonesboro.  The first two years Rook was primarily an inside force and at six five 219 in the lesser league this worked well but as this team moved up the food chain. ASU brought in more beef up front and Rook matriculated to the perimeter. Good idea because Rook can flat shoot the ball.  He is not much of a ball handler or passer but nobody wants him to be as when he gets the ball everyone in Jonesboro want him to shoot.  He is not the most athletic player in the Sun Belt and he did have problems guarding some players but when you got range to the cheap seats nobody cares.  Rook makes the most of his skill set and toughness and was much more than just an offensive player for ASU though of course he wasn’t recruited by half the nation to guard people.   He is by far the most popular player on the team and this team captain started all 29 games averaging 16 points a game and almost 6 boards a game in just over 30 minutes a contest.  Even with those numbers they were well down from his junior year as this offense became more diverse with more guys getting minutes and the opportunity to contribute. He is the best player ever to wear the Scarlet and black and the pros cannot wait to get this sharpshooter into their camps. But they got one more year to wait as he tried to at least get his hometown team on the competitive map in the Sun Belt. 

Clara Peller would be proud of the group of big men Catalina has in Jonesboro.  The one thing the Red Wolves does have this year is some beef up front.  Catalina rotated in a large group of big men who all had some skill and size and could match up with just about anyone in the Sun Belt.  Almost!  Senior John Dickson mans the center position and has the size to bang with the big boys of the Sun Belt and beyond.  At six ten and 240 this Arkansas bred kid is more than big enough to hang with anybody, anywhere.  Like Rook he is a home grown big boned Razorback kid who decided to stay close to home.  Dickson may not have the offensive game of Jim McDaniels but he is not far behind and will get a shot at the next level.  He has a legitimate low post game with a nice baby hook and powers over people with his persistence. This big corn-fed kid has a surprisingly nice touch around the basket and really is an offensive threat that can also rebound and defend.  At one point Dickson was putting up some pretty incredible numbers averaging over 14 points and almost 9 boards a game. He lost some minutes as the year progressed as Catalina went with some different options trying to find a future for the program and his numbers dipped a bit but he still ended up with 12 and 7 for the season.  It will be interesting to see how much Catalina plays Dickson this year as he has ‘stole’ a couple of behemoths from local powerhouses in Oklahoma State and Arkansas. Jason Jennings is small-town Razorback kid (Bald Knob) who is most definitely a project but man is he big. At seven foot and 250, Catalina has got to play this kid especially since he might just be the best shot blocker in Arkansas and that includes that trio of rim protectors Nolan Richardson rotates in at Fayetteville (probably why he changed his mind and decided to come to Jonesboro).  Of course, he will never get to play against West or Miller or Kleine as the Razorbacks are afraid to play the State college as they almost lost there one and only meeting two years ago until a few calls late help pull out a late victory in overtime.  Another major power did come to Jonesboro last year when the Cowboys of Oklahoma State came to town but they beat up on the Red Wolves.  In the process though they left behind a monster of a man who decided to transfer to this program,.  Sophomore Alan Bannister might even be rawer than Jennings but this England native has the one greatest asset a basketball player can have.  Size!  Bannister makes Jennings look dwarfish as he goes seven four and 350 pounds (yes those numbers are correct) and though nobody around here knows if he can walk and chew gum at the same time they don’t really care. Men this big do not grow on trees and if this kid has any game at all he will get a chance to play. He played fairly well on the Oklahoma State JV team and got some nice mentoring from the great Cowboy big man Bob Kurland so there is some real hope in Jonesboro.

Jonesboro is a town that Jimmy Dean could have been talking about when he wrote that song about that big guy who saves the miners.  You see Arkansas State has more than its fair share of big guys named John on its roster.  Starting next to Big John Dickson to start the year once again will be Junior Big John Belcher.  Belcher is another local boy (Hot Springs, Arkansas) and there must be something about the naturally hot water that grows them big. Belcher is not quite as big as Dickson but he is big enough at six nine and a solid 225 pounds and made the post a hole that no one wanted to be caught in. Unlike his sidekick in crime Belcher did end up missing some games last year however. He was doing an admirable up front when he went down for about a month. He lost his starting job as the season progressed and was not happy about it.  Catalina moved Belcher to the swing post position backing up both Dickson and another John at the four.    A terrific rebounder but not much on the offensive end, Belcher made his living playing defense.  He also does not take a bad shot as he led the team in field goal percentage at over 60 percent but of course he does not shoot very often.  He played often at center last year as Catalina wanted to rotate in a first year kid at the four.  Belcher, like Dickson, will be challenged by the two monsters for playing time if they stay around Jonesboro for long. 

Sophomore John Tate is the heir apparent as the team leader after beating out Belcher to take over the power forward position.  Tate is one Wolf who is not from around these parts as he hails from Pine Bluff Missouri and was a huge get for Catalina.  He loved this kid’s style and toughness though he was only a backup for the first half of year barely averaging 12 minutes a game.  Tate stepped up to the plate and seized the opportunity when Belcher missed a few games with a contusion after an early season scrum against Mississippi Valley State.  This Big John is kind of a misnomer as he is undersized for a four (six seven and 220) especially in this league but he can hang with the best underneath the basket.  He will not get knocked out in a fight either as he is tough as nails.   He actually began the season playing behind Rook and Belcher as the swing forward until he got his shot. He has such a complete game that he swung down to the three at times to relieve the Jonesboro legend named after a chess piece. Tate can score with a variety of moves inside and can take his jump shot out to about 16 feet.  He is not a terrific board guy but is solid and oh so consistent.  He kind of reminds you of a gifted boxer with a great jab that keeps coming at you until you give and you never seem to be able to get to him as he has that great reach and counter punch.  Tate is not the most talented guy in the Sun Belt but he is by far the most athletically talented of all of the big men in Jonesboro.  This John has the potential to be something really special in Jonesboro and set his name apart from all of the other John’s in the area.  That is if Mike Weaver is not lurking around the corner with that crazy left hook in the 15th round!  The one guy who should be weary of though is Belcher who is not going to give up his job without dare I say a fight.  They will both play but Big John Belcher has made it clear he wants to start again. 

There is a duo of forgotten big men who are still playing in Jonesboro and like Belcher want there minutes back after losing some time to injuries and the advent of Tate. Junior Dan Henderson pushed hard for minutes last year and will once again this year after missing the final 15 games. Henderson can score and board and has the mentality to be a go to guy.  This kid should flourish this year whether he starts or is coming off the bench as he seems to have a knack for getting the job done in the paint and has a bit more of a developed game coming from the playgrounds of Memphis where he went to high school.  There are rumors he could switch out to the wing to get more minutes.  This six seven 215 pound man-child was built to play on the blocks but I am sure he would give it everything he could to get on the court more.  Speaking of playing on the blocks junior Steve Brooks will be pushing for minutes as well after spending most of his first two years deep on the bench or on the JV.  This six nine St. Louis product has a nice low post game with some solid moves but needs to get on the court this year as Catalina cannot store him on the JV anymore.  He can play either the four or five and could push for minutes especially if the new huge kids aren’t ready.  Fellow Juniors Marvin Jarrett and Sophomore Anthony Myles also played on the JV and can play but Catalina was obviously looking for some bigger guys.  Jarrett is six five and Myles is not much bigger at six foot six and though they really know how to play in this league to play the post and try guarding McDaniels or Malone you better have some beef (and some height). 

The back court definitely had some issues.  Junior Don Scaife is returning and is the primary offensive option from the back court.  A good shooter who can hit mid range jumpers, he extended his range as the year progressed. Scaife will be counted on to lead the perimeter offense and hit clutch shots.  He showed a little of that last year stepping out of the large shadow or Rook including a big game winner against hated rival Arkansas-Little Rock which made him an instant hero in Jonesboro.  Scaife’s best part of his game is his ability to get to the hoop with blazing quick drives and finish as this six two stud can jump out of the gym.  He is probably the most athletic player on the team and has a bright future.  Scaife needs to take more high percentage shots and handle the ball better but he is a great rebounding guard who averaged over 14 a game the second half (11 for the season) and that is after coming back from a leg injury midway through the year which took away some of his speed and jumping for a little while. If he is back up to speed, Scaife will challenge Rook for the scoring lead on this team. 

Now for the biggest issue in Jonesboro. Point guard.  Catalina tried everyone and we do mean everyone there trying to find someone who can get the ball to the big guys and guard some people.  Junior JH Williams is the incumbent and can pass but is way too slow for the Sun Belt.  This 6’2 stud averaged over 4 assists a game but was terrorized by the more athletic point guards he attempted to defend.  Sophomores Carl Archer and Jay Hansen also got some minutes but were not much better.  Catalina even tried Scaife there at times but that is not the answer.  He has recruited a 5’6 kid who can flat move but is that the answer.  The Wine Mixer man was watching late night TV (thus the festival concept) when he saw some documentary on inner city basketball.  He saw some kid named Arthur Agee and quickly made a few calls. Before you knew it this kid had decided to forego his JC commitment and is leaving the Windy City and coming to Jonesboro. 

The Arkansas State Indians er Red Wolves have problems all over the place.  They finished second to last in the tough Sun Belt.  They did not win a game after January last year.  And most importantly they do not have a point guard. The Red Wolves are probably in for another long year just like the ones they just experienced and that means more empty seats at home games. Coach Catalina is on a short leash and if there was anything but apathy for the Red Wolves he would already be gone.  Winning nine games on the year and three in league will not keep a coach around for long even though Catalina seems to be an innovative coach on the right path.  Of course things cannot be all that bad as the Razorbacks still are afraid to play the Red Wolves because as bad as this program is they have enough talent to beat their rivals on any given night and in Arkansas that just would not go over well. One thing this team has going for it is size as their front line could actually match up with the Razorbacks in this area (heck, they even stole a seven footer from them).  Size does matter for sure especially when you have hoop dreams but if you don’t have anybody to get the big guys the ball and can’t guard the perimeter, all of that height and girth means nothing.