Men's basketball practice begins Friday around the country. (yes, you read that right....Friday. Yes, it's still September).

Anyway, Georgia State is coming off a 15-16 season, but has high expectations for this season.

They've been tabbed as one of the teams to watch by USA Today.

I think they should be favored to win the Sun Belt.

Why?

Let's ask the man that leads the team......Ron Hunter

Q: I hear that you’re trying to keep things under the radar. Why?

A: I say that for the most part jokingly. I want my kids to play relaxed, have fun and win. I want the pressure to be on me and not on the kids. Georgia State has been so starved for success. We want to give it to them. But I want the pressure to be on me.

Q: I’m not sure you can keep anything under the radar.

A: I can’t because I have a big mouth. It’s a contradiction already.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish between now and the first game?

A: Cohesiveness. Most of our core returned but two guys who will be in that core haven’t played together in center Curtis Washington and (Kentucky transfer) Ryan Harrow, so we want to get a lot of reps. We need to incorporate them into our whole system.

Curt is extremely talented but hasn’t played in three years. He needs to get his timing and feel back. He will be like Manny (Atkins) last year, except without the pressure. Manny came in and was expected to score. Curt won’t have as much as pressure.

Q: Is the team healthy?

A: We do have one injury. (Starting point guard) Devonta White will be out 10-15 days with an injury. (Note: Hunter wouldn’t say what it was).

Q: Who will play the point until White returns?

A: Ryan will play and Jaylen (Hinton) will get some minutes. That’s why I don’t redshirt freshmen because you just never know. I want to take care of now. I won’t worry about the future. I want to win right now and I want to win with this team.

Q: What typically happens in the third year with you as coach. What should people expect to see?

A: I thought it would take 3-4 years to get the program to where I wanted it. the program is no question where I want it to be.

What happens is … this is the first time I’ve had continuity. First year, I was a new coach. Second year, nine guys left the program (exhausted eligibility or transferred).

Now, guys know the system and know exactly what I have to do. I have the same assistants. I have the same g.a.’s. I don’t have to teach everything.

Q: How do you keep R.J. (Hunter) from the sophomore slump?

A: Started with what we did in the summer. We worked on some physical things with R.J. He has worked harder now than he has at any time in his life. He’s thought about that since the last game. He was disappointed with his finish. He was exhausted. He didn’t know how to handle that.

I think what will help R.J. more than anything is Ryan Harrow, who has been through this. R.J. could have a much better year and not average as many points.

Q: How would fans see evidence of that?

A: More of a complete player, he won’t feel like he won’t have to force things. He will be stronger at the end of the year. At the end of the year he will be a better player.

Q: How is the team looking at the 5?

A: It will be by committee. They have all gotten better. The four guys (Washington, T.J. Shipes, Laron Smith and Denny Burguillos) have gotten much, much better. Curt is the only one who doesn’t have the experience of playing. I’ve got four guys that I feel really, really good about. For the first time that will not be a weakness.

Q: Would you be ok if they scored 0 points?

A: That won’t happen. I just can’t see it.

Q: I just didn’t’ know with all the scorers around them…

A: They can’t make every shot. One of the things we’ve become is extremely athletic at the position. They can run the floor, get tip-ins. We have some sets that we run for our bigs. When they get those opportunities they have to convert them.

Q: You said earlier this summer that Shipes had made a lot of improvement. What are you seeing?

A: T.J. had a rough start to his freshmen year. With the summer, he’s been more relaxed. He understands what’s going on. He’s not where I want to be, but he’s getting there. I can trust him in games now. We threw all of our freshmen into the fire last year. Honestly, none of them were ready.

He still has to become a better scorer. The things he can control, he’s done a pretty good job.

Q: Speaking of scoring, what will you do with Marks Crider?

A: Crider has to have great year because he will have to play several positions. He has shown the most improvement. He spent a lot of time on his jump shot. His body looks incredible. He’s one guy that you can call your glue guy. He gained experience from playing last year. He will average 20 minutes a game, play 3-4 positions.

Q: He sounds like Josh Micheaux.

A: He’s a lot like Micheaux, but a little more under control. He’s more of a controlled Micheaux with more of an offensive game.

Q: How do you assess the schedule?

A: It’s a good schedule. I’m concerned about the first game, let’s not worry about what happens later. I love playing the teams in Conference USA. If I had my druthers I would love more home games. It’s going to be hard, while I’m here, for Georgia State to play home games. That’s because of the success of our program. Unless we can buy games, it’s going to be hard for us get home games in here.

Q: Time for the money question, will you make the NCAA Tournament?

A: That’s our goal every year. By far, this is the most talented team I’ve ever coached. I don’t know if it’s the best team I’ve ever coached.

No question it’s our goal. If we don’t reach that goal I’ll be upset.

When we don’t go, I usually get upset. I was upset last year when the chance was taken from us. I was upset two years ago.

Q: So you’re not going to give me a yes or no?

A: I just did.