JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State men's basketball team held its first practice of the 2015-16 preseason on Friday in the newly renovated Pete Mathews Coliseum and head coach James Green liked what he saw on and around the floor.
 
Green worked his team out for two hours in The Pete, getting his first official preseason practice in the books and taking one more step toward the Gamecocks' Nov. 13 season opener at Central Michigan.
 
"Absolutely," James Green said when asked if he was pleased with the first day's practice. "We had a great attitude today from the guys coming back down to the new guys. The returners are very positive guys, and our leadership and our upper class has been a lot better for the first day. Our listening was really good, and if we have that same effort all year long we will be pretty good."
 
Green addressed to his team the importance of continuing that effort and mindset going forward, knowing there will be times they have to push through before tipping off the season next month. He is confident this team can overcome those hurdles.
 
"We tell guys that it's easy to be focused on that first day, that first week," Green said. "Where we are in two weeks will determine how good we are going to be. I'm very pleased, and it's been a great group to work with in the preseason. We're looking forward to it. We've got a long way to go, but this is a wonderful group to work with."
 
Along with the excitement of the start of practice also came the excitement of what was a major overhaul to the interior of Pete Mathews coliseum over the summer. The arena that opened in the early 1970's received a major facelift that included a new seating area and floor.
 
"It feels different," Green added. " You can look at pictures and try to get an idea of what it looks like, but until you come in here and feel the floor and actually look around in here you have no idea. I can out guys feel better and even people that have been coming in here while we are practicing are talking about the improvement. It's a very, very exciting time for Jacksonville State basketball."
 
Green and his players had nothing but positives to say about the improved coliseum, something they believe will pay dividends for the program in the future and will also be a bonus to the Gamecock fan base.
 
"It shows that we are stepping up our commitment, and I think everybody involved did a great job," hea deed. "I feel like we really did a good job of taking every dollar that we had and we got the most out of it. I can tell you that coaches and players really appreciate it, and when our fans come in here, they're really going to enjoy this place."
 
The Gamecocks will host two exhibition games before starting the regular season. They will take on Miles on Nov. 3 and West Georgia on Nov. 9 before starting a schedule that features 15 more home games in regular season play.