Nutt brings in fresh faces to transform Southeast hoopters
Kelly Barbour
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Sports
Last season, Redhawks men's basketball walked away with a record of 3-27. The Redhawks were winless in the OVC and finished last in the conference-Statistics head coach Dickey Nutt is trying to turn around.
Dickey Nutt was named head coach in March and comes to Southeast with a career record of 189-187.
Redhawks men's basketball has some fresh faces to help further transform the team. Nutt recruited 11 new players to join the roster this season, ten of which have never played an NCAA Division I game. Nutt is very enthusiastic and proud of the team he strategically recruited.
"The key to any program is recruiting and we have to recruit every day," said Nutt. "Our team is wide open right now."
"The first step [in creating a winning team] is to have good people, good characters, people you can identify with," Nutt said. "They know they are no different than any other student. They care about each other, their staff and their peers."
Two recruits that have taken on leadership roles on the team are junior forward Anthony Allison and junior forward Cameron Butler.
Nutt felt the signing of Allison was a big one. Nutt, who spent 13 seasons as Arkansas State's coach, had followed the native of Marianna, Ark., since he was in ninth grade.
"[Allison]'s been everything I thought he would be," said Nutt. "He's an explosive guard."
Neither Allison or Butler have played at Division I level, but Nutt is confident in not only their playing abilities, but also their leadership abilities.
"They have both stepped up. I'm proud of their leadership," said Nutt. "I'm not quite sure what to expect from them at the Division I level, but they have great attitude and effort."
As far as Nutt's strategy for the season, the team is focusing on defense.
"You have to hang your hat on something. We've chosen defense. We have to defend on a nightly basis."
Offensively, the team is focusing on execution and taking good shots.
Fans are already coming out to support the Redhawks at scrimmages. According to Nutt, fans will enjoy the style of ball the team will play in.
"It's a high-octane style basketball team. It's something the guys enjoy playing and the fans enjoy watching," said Nutt.
Southeast men's basketball team will be showcasing their new team in an exhibition game on Nov. 5. Tip off will be at 7 p.m. at the Show Me Center.
Dickey Nutt was named head coach in March and comes to Southeast with a career record of 189-187.
Redhawks men's basketball has some fresh faces to help further transform the team. Nutt recruited 11 new players to join the roster this season, ten of which have never played an NCAA Division I game. Nutt is very enthusiastic and proud of the team he strategically recruited.
"The key to any program is recruiting and we have to recruit every day," said Nutt. "Our team is wide open right now."
"The first step [in creating a winning team] is to have good people, good characters, people you can identify with," Nutt said. "They know they are no different than any other student. They care about each other, their staff and their peers."
Two recruits that have taken on leadership roles on the team are junior forward Anthony Allison and junior forward Cameron Butler.
Nutt felt the signing of Allison was a big one. Nutt, who spent 13 seasons as Arkansas State's coach, had followed the native of Marianna, Ark., since he was in ninth grade.
"[Allison]'s been everything I thought he would be," said Nutt. "He's an explosive guard."
Neither Allison or Butler have played at Division I level, but Nutt is confident in not only their playing abilities, but also their leadership abilities.
"They have both stepped up. I'm proud of their leadership," said Nutt. "I'm not quite sure what to expect from them at the Division I level, but they have great attitude and effort."
As far as Nutt's strategy for the season, the team is focusing on defense.
"You have to hang your hat on something. We've chosen defense. We have to defend on a nightly basis."
Offensively, the team is focusing on execution and taking good shots.
Fans are already coming out to support the Redhawks at scrimmages. According to Nutt, fans will enjoy the style of ball the team will play in.
"It's a high-octane style basketball team. It's something the guys enjoy playing and the fans enjoy watching," said Nutt.
Southeast men's basketball team will be showcasing their new team in an exhibition game on Nov. 5. Tip off will be at 7 p.m. at the Show Me Center.
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