Red Wolves
NCAAB Arkansas State Redwolves
General Information
NCAA Division: Division I
Conference: Sun Belt Conference
Past Conferences: American South Conference, Southland Conference
City: Jonesboro, Arkansas
Arena: First National Bank Arena
NCAA Tournaments: 1 (1999)
Championships:
National Championships: None
Conference Titles: 5 (1965, 1967, 1971, 1991, 1998)
Team History
Arkansas State’s first season with an organized basketball team was in 1926-27, when the Red Wolves went 3-13 under coach Herbert Schwartz. The Red Wolves were up and down throughout the 1930s and hit a major slump in the early 1940s. The team took several years off during World War II but between 1940-41 and 1944-45, Arkansas State was just 7-48. After going 1-13 in his first year, coach Ike Tomlinson had the team at 12-11 in his second season and the NAIA Tournament in his third year, 1946-47. The Red Wolves returned to the NAIA Tournament in 1949.
The team made the move to NCAA Division II and soon became regulars in the NCAA Division II Tournament, appearing in 1958, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1966, and 1967. Arkansas State never won more than a single game in any of the Division II Tournaments. The team made the move to Division I for the 1968-69 season and won the Southland Conference regular season title in 1971 and 1974. The Red Wolves had some good teams in the late 1980s but couldn’t get that elusive bid to the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas State competed in the NIT in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1991, the last three appearances as members of the American South Conference.
Arkansas State’s stay in the American South was short-lived, as the Red Wolves left for the Sun Belt Conference for the 1991-92 season. The Red Wolves won the Sun Belt Conference tournament in 1999, earning a trip to the NCAA tournament, where they were bounced by Utah. It turned out to be the last postseason appearance for Arkansas State.
All-Time Records
Points Scored
- Jerry Rook, 2,153
- John Dickson, 1,891
- John Tate, 1,776
Rebounds
- John Belcher, 1,166
- John Dickson, 1,139
- Kim Adams, 916
Assists
- Chico Fletcher, 893
- Carl Archer, 544
- Marquis Eaton, 476
FAQs
Why Did Arkansas State Change Its Nickname to the Red Wolves?
Arkansas State took the Indians nickname in 1931 to pay tribute to the Osage tribe, who had lived in the area before the Europeans moved in. When the NCAA issued its “use of Native American mascots at championship events” guidelines in 2008 the university chose a Mascot Selection Steering Committee, who selected the name Wolves. “Red” was added shortly afterwards, making Arkansas State the Red Wolves.
How Many Arkansas State Players Have Been Drafted by NBA teams?
The Red Wolves have had seven players drafted by NBA teams, although none of them ever played in a regular season game. Jason Jennings, who was selected in the second round by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2002, was the last player to be selected from Arkansas State.
Have Any Arkansas State Players Played in the NBA?
The Red Wolves have had one player make it to the NBA. Patrick Eddie, an undrafted center, played for Arkansas State his freshman and sophomore seasons before transferring to Mississippi. He played in four games in the 1991-92 NBA season for the New York Knicks.