Basketball season begins this weekend at Arkansas Tech University.
The Wonder Boys will host a classic Friday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 9, while the Golden Suns will face Crowley’s Ridge College for a 1 p.m. contest Saturday, Nov. 9.
ATU’s men will take on Fort Hays State University at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Emporia State University at 5 p.m. Saturday.
All of these opening weekend games will be played at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville. Live coverage will be available at www.arkansastechsports.com.
Chad Kline is beginning his sixth season as head coach of the Wonder Boys. ATU’s men have advanced to the postseason in four of the last five years, including two berths in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The Wonder Boys’ top returnees from last year are junior guard R.J. Glasper (18.4 points per game in 2018-19) and senior forward Ramses Sandifer (9.2 points per game in 2018-19).
Sophomore guard Kaleb Turner and sophomore center David Wehmeyer also return from a Tech team that finished 12-16 overall and 10-12 in the Great American Conference last season.
The remainder of the Wonder Boys’ 2019-20 roster is populated by 11 newcomers, including five transfers from NCAA Division I members.
“I think the first priority was size and athleticism,” said Kline when asked what he sought to add with his recruiting class. “Last year, I would look at a stat sheet and we’d lose a game by three or four points, and we’d get out-rebounded by 20. Rebounding was the No. 1 priority, and more size at the guard spots will help us defensively. We’ll be as athletic as we’ve ever been.”
The Golden Suns finished with a flourish in 2018-19. ATU’s women became the lowest seed (7) to ever reach the championship game of the GAC Tournament and completed the season with an overall record of 15-16.
Junior guard Jayana Sanders, who averaged 16 points per game during the 2019 GAC Tournament and 10.6 points per game in 2018-19, is back this season. Also returning for the Golden Suns are senior guard Hannah Villines (13.8 points per game in 2018-19), junior guard Ke’Vonshaye Stackhouse (9.9 points per game in 2018-19), senior forward Ryann Goodsell (6.9 points per game in 2018-19) and backcourt bench contributors senior Leighton Taylor and sophomore Breanna Emitt. Junior guard Ashley Breathitt returns after missing most of the 2018-19 season due to injury.
They are joined by nine newcomers, five of whom are 6-foot-1 or taller. Time will tell, but there is evidence it may be the deepest and most talented recruiting class that head coach Dave Wilbers has brought to ATU in a decade.
“What I really like is the balance we have,” said Wilbers, who is beginning his 13th season at the helm of Tech’s women’s basketball program. “We’ve added a couple of really good point guards, some off guards who can score in a variety of ways and some size in the post, which hurt us last year at times. It’s a very good class with a lot of experience…a lot of winners who won state championships or won at their previous school. I think everybody will see that it’s a class that can run the floor and score in a lot of different ways. I’ve also been very happy with our returning players. Our seniors and juniors have organized several different events for our new players. Our leadership out of that group has been fantastic on and off the floor. On the floor, our returning players are all better. Several have taken their game to a different level.”
Visit www.arkansastechsports.com to view the 2019-20 ATU basketball schedules and more information about the Wonder Boys and Golden Suns.
