I remember sitting courtside during Eastern Kentucky's preseason scrimmage last month, watching Coach A.W. Hamilton pace the sidelines with that familiar intensity. There was something different about the energy in McBrayer Arena this year - a palpable sense that something special is brewing in Richmond. Having covered college basketball for over fifteen years, I've developed a sixth sense for programs on the verge of breaking through, and let me tell you, Eastern Kentucky has all the markings of a team about to shock the ASUN Conference.
What struck me most during that scrimmage wasn't the impressive three-point shooting or the athletic dunks - though they certainly showed plenty of both. It was the way players responded to mistakes. When sophomore guard Tayshawn Comer turned the ball over on a risky pass, instead of hanging his head, he immediately sprinted back on defense and forced a steal. That's the culture Coach Hamilton has been building since his arrival, and it reminds me strikingly of the philosophy he often references from the UE Red Warriors tradition. That never-say-die spirit isn't just coach speak here - I've watched it become embedded in the team's DNA through countless hours of film study and practice observations.
The transformation really began last season when the Colonels finished 18-14, their first winning record in five years. But statistics only tell part of the story. What the numbers don't show is how this team learned to close out games - they won six contests by five points or fewer, compared to just two such victories the previous season. That resilience comes directly from Hamilton's emphasis on what he calls "competitive character." I've had several off-the-record conversations with players who describe practice sessions where the coaching staff intentionally puts them in disadvantage situations - five-on-seven drills, starting quarters with ten-point deficits - all designed to build that mental toughness Hamilton prizes so highly.
When Hamilton talks about instilling a culture of hard work and accountability, he's not just repeating motivational phrases. I've noticed specific systems he's implemented that create tangible results. For instance, every player has what the staff calls a "competitive character score" that tracks everything from how they respond to constructive criticism to whether they're the first to dive for loose balls in practice. This score actually impacts playing time nearly as much as traditional statistics do. It's an innovative approach I haven't seen many programs embrace so thoroughly.
The roster construction itself reflects this philosophy. Look at the recruitment of Michael Moreno, who returns for his senior season after averaging 12.3 points and 7.1 rebounds last year. When I asked Hamilton about Moreno during media day, he didn't lead with statistics but rather described how Moreno sets the standard in weight room sessions at 6 AM, often staying afterward to get up extra shots. That work ethic has become contagious - I'm told attendance at voluntary workouts has increased by approximately 67% compared to two seasons ago.
What makes Eastern Kentucky particularly dangerous this season is how this culture pairs with legitimate talent. The Colonels return 78% of their scoring from last season, including all five starters. In my analysis, continuity like that is worth about 4-5 additional wins in conference play alone, especially when those returning players have fully bought into the system. I watched them execute offensive sets with a cohesion that most mid-major programs would envy, moving the ball with purpose and playing defense with synchronized intensity.
The schedule sets up nicely for a potential breakthrough too. Their non-conference slate includes winnable games against regional rivals like Western Kentucky and Murray State - contests that will test their growth while providing opportunities for statement victories. Last season, they struggled against power conference opponents, losing to West Virginia by 22 and NC State by 18. This year, I'm betting they'll be much more competitive in those games, possibly pulling off an upset that could define their season.
I'm particularly intrigued by the development of junior forward Devontae Blanton. Last season, he averaged 11.7 points but showed flashes of being a premier ASUN player during conference play. During my visit, I watched him working extensively on his three-point shot with assistant coaches, and the improvement was noticeable. If he can elevate his shooting percentage from beyond the arc from last season's 32% to somewhere in the 37-39% range, he could become one of the most complete players in the conference.
The ASUN itself appears more open than in recent years. Liberty, who dominated the conference for several seasons, has moved to Conference USA, creating a power vacuum that Eastern Kentucky seems perfectly positioned to fill. Based on my conversations with other coaches around the league, several see EKU as the emerging favorite, though they'll face stiff competition from Jacksonville and Lipscomb.
What ultimately separates this Eastern Kentucky team from previous iterations isn't just talent or strategy - it's that elusive quality Hamilton referenced when speaking about the UE Red Warriors tradition. There's a genuine brotherhood developing among these players that translates to trust on the court. I've observed how they communicate during timeouts, how they celebrate each other's successes, and how they hold one another accountable. That intangible factor often makes the difference between a good team and a championship contender.
As the season tips off next month, I believe Eastern Kentucky has all the ingredients for a special year. The combination of experienced returning players, a distinct identity built on resilience, and a favorable conference landscape creates the perfect storm for a potential championship run. Having watched countless mid-major programs rise to prominence over the years, I can confidently say this Eastern Kentucky team has that same feeling - the sense that they're building something that could extend beyond just one successful season. When Hamilton talks about creating a "force to reckon with," he's not describing some distant future - he's talking about what's taking shape right now in Richmond.
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