Bumpy start

Second-year Coach Matt Daniel said the first couple of weeks of practice have been tough for his team.

“We’re pretty banged up,” he said. “I think it has to do with some offseasoning and not being able to work out, covid stuff. But hopefully we get that all out of the way, and we’re ready to rock some time in November whenever our first game is.”

Daniel has an experienced group coming back, with four seniors and six juniors. They are led by seniors Peyton Martin and Morgan Wallace as well as junior guard Jireh Washington, who led the Red Wolves in scoring last season with 13 points per game.

Arkansas State also has a lot of new faces, adding three freshman and three juniorcollege transfers in forwards Karolina Szdlowska and Seynabou Thiam, and guard Jordyn Brown. Transfers Talia Roldan (UAB) and Jada Stinson (Memphis) are expected to see their first action after sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer rules.

“We do have a contributing core group back, and we’ve added some to the mix in transfers, junior college and high school kids that will certainly help and contribute,” Daniel said. “Any time you have returners back that are hard workers, that’s exciting.”

Daniel likes his depth, which could be key in a season where covid-19 lurks.

“We’re trying to get everyone ready because if someone does test positive, that we’re ready to go,” Daniel said. “It doesn’t matter who it is, you have to be ready to go on any given night. That’s the thing about the virus: You don’t know who’s going to get it, why they got it, and what it does to your team. We’re trying to bring every along the best we can.”