SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State men's basketball team is a week into its preparations for the 2013-14 season and 11 days from travelling to Lubbock to play Texas Tech in an exhibition game at the United Spirit Arena.

"Our first week of practice went well," ASU head coach Chris Beard said. "Our team is a work in progress. Our number one goal is to try and improve each day. If we are able to do that, we can be a good team by January when the conference season starts. I was pleased with the effort last week. The guys are trying hard and competing on every possession.  Our seven seniors are doing a good job setting the tone and making everyone accountable."

ASU's exhibition game against Texas Tech is on Friday, Nov. 1 in Lubbock and will be televised on Fox College Sports. The Rams' season opener is set for Friday, Nov. 8 against East Central in Weatherford, Okla. with the home opener coming on Tuesday, Nov. 12 against Arlington Baptist at the Junell Center. Click here for complete schedule   //   Preseason Notes

AngeloSports.com talked with assistant coach Cinco Boone to discuss the Rams' roster which includes nine returners and 13 newcomers. Here's Boone's take on the ASU players leading into the season.

On returner Zach Jones, a senior forward from Brady who started his career at Texas Tech:
"Zack Jones played a lot of minutes last year and is a guy we have labeled as our toughest player. He is a great screener and has shot the ball well during the preseason."

On returner Chris Talkington, a senior forward from Grand Prairie who started his career at Nicholls State:
"Chris Talkington shoots and rebounds the ball really well. He had a great summer and has been a great leader on and off the court for our team."

On returner Bryan Hammond, a senior guard from New Orleans who started his collegiate career at Nicholls State:
"Bryan worked really hard this summer and has shown us a lot of leadership. We will utilize his ball handling skills at the point guard position and expect him to get back into double-digit scoring again this season."

On returner Ryan Marsh, a senior forward from Burleson who started his collegiate career at Dallas Baptist:
"Ryan is a power forward that played a lot of minutes last season and had a pretty good offseason. He had an injury earlier this season that he's battled back from and is playing well. We are going to expect him to rebound and defend for us around the basket."

On returner Justin Walling, a junior guard from Wall:
"Justin Walling shoots the ball really well and is probably our best shooter on the team. If we can get some of our guards to set him up for shots in our motion offense, I think he'll have a great season. The motion offense will be really good for him. We are continuously working with him to develop his defense."

On returner Reggie Sutton, a sophomore guard from San Angelo:
"Reggie Sutton came on really strong for the team last year and we're expecting him to continue progressing. He's only a sophomore and we think he has a really high ceiling."

On returner Dakota Rawls, a junior forward from Bronte:
"When we got this job and worked out the returning players, Dakota was a guy that we were immediately impressed with. Unfortunately he tore his ACL in April and that has taken away us being able to see him play more and help in his development. You can just sense that he has a really high IQ and made 98 out of 100 free throws on one and half legs the other day. It's still up in the air on his return date. He's hoping by Thanksgiving, but it may be the first part of December. He's going to be a guy that we take a long look at when he's 100 percent healthy because we were so impressed with him back in the spring time. He's huge piece to our team."

On newcomer Omari Gudul, a sophomore forward from Bukavu, Congo who played at Ranger College last season:
"Omari is only a sophomore and has the highest ceiling on anyone on our team. He's a legit 6-10 with a great body and is a very hard worker. He's constantly up here working on getting better and improving his game. He's not just a back-to-the-basket guy. He can face up and knock down a 15-footer and is getting better at the free-throw line. With his size, he is also a strong defender who can rebound and alter shots when guys go in there. We are really excited about him."

On newcomer Ice Asortse, a senior forward from Makurdi, Nigeria who played at SFA last season:
"Ice has the type of body that you need to have in the Lone Star Conference. He is a physical, bruiser-type player that we are going to expect to guard the other team's true centers. We need him to rebound and defend and finish around the basket. I know he can do that."

On newcomer Kenny Williams, a senior forward from St. Louis, Mo., who played at McMurry last season:
"Kenny Williams was with us last year and is coming off a shoulder injury last season. He is our biggest competitor. There is not a time when it comes to competing that he is not trying to win first. And he usually does win. That carries over into his game. He finishes around the basket and makes outside shots. He has great athleticism and size and is a player we are expecting a lot from."

On newcomer Daniel Skinner, a junior guard/forward from Dallas who played at Jacksonville College:
"Daniel Skinner is probably the most athletic player on the team and shoots a high percentage because he takes good shots. He's also a good rebounder and a great teammate. If we get into any kind of transition game, then get ready because he's going to provide some highlights."

On newcomer Tommy Woolridge Jr., a junior guard from Chicago, Illinois who played at North Dakota State College of Science last season:
"Tommy Woolridge is a point guard who really has a feel for putting the ball in the hole. I think he'll rise to big occasion in big games and will be our primary ball handler. He can also play off the ball where we can get him scoring points. He will also harass the other team's guard with great defense. He's a guy who is great in transition and has a feel for putting other players in position to succeed."

On newcomers Thomas Brandsma and Nash Nelson, sophomores from Colleyville. Brandsma played at McMurry last season and Nelson at Harding:
"Thomas Brandsma and Nash Nelson both have great work ethics and high basketball intelligence. We are really hoping to see them continue improving every day.  They both play extremely smart and hard. They can make perimeter shoots and provide leadership by how hard they work."

On newcomer Chantz Chambers, a freshman guard from Shreveport, Louisiana:
"Chantz Chambers is a highly talented athlete. He's experiencing the learning curve of moving up to college basketball every day. But every day he does something new that impresses us. He is young, but he doesn't back down from anybody."