When you're adding seven players for the first time in your career, you don't take anything for granted.
And that is why Arizona State basketball coach Herb Sendek made sure his staff explained his team's terminology, even at the most basic level, when practice began this season.
"We have to start by defining terms," he said, "so that when we communicate, everybody is on the same page."
It might take some work.
After a 22-11 season, ASU lost seniors Derek Glasser, Jerren Shipp and Eric Boateng - plus four unexpected transfers.
Demetrius Walker left for New Mexico, and Victor Rudd for South Florida. Taylor Rohde and Brandon Thompson transferred, too.
"It's an experience; it's a project," senior point guard Jamelle McMillan said. "So far, the guys have done a great job catching up. They ask a lot of questions and have done a great job adjusting to this level so far.
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"I think it takes a certain kind of player to play for coach Sendek. Those guys came in, and they tried it and it didn't fit their style of ball, which is the case all across the country. So they did what they had to do."
Picked fourth in the Pac-10 this year, ASU hopes to again contend for an NCAA tournament berth. That will happen only if the Sun Devils newcomers make up, as expected, for the attrition.
From Compton, Calif., Keala King is the prize of the incoming class. He is joined by former NBA star Hersey Hawkins' son, Corey, and wing Chanse Creekmur.
Brandon Dunson, a junior college transfer, will be a reserve guard. Forward Kyle Cain is from Illinois, and center Jordan Bachynski comes from Canada by way of a Mormon mission.
Four of the newcomers are left-handed, but only King reminds his teammates of former ASU great James Harden.
"They're spitting images, to be honest," McMillan said. "James had a little bit bigger frame. Keala moves in a different way, a little quicker. James jumped higher.
"They do play very similar - the jab step, getting into the lane, drawing contact, finishing around the rim, the way they're able to pick their spots.
"Not to say Keala's going to be a No. 3 pick or anything, but you can see a similarity in their games."
All-Pac-10 wing Ty Abbott said King "tries to match the intensity of the guys who have been here."
McMillan, Abbott and sharpshooting forward Rihards Kuksiks provide the young team with senior leadership.
"They're willing to learn from anybody who can help them," McMillan said. "If a fan could help them, they'd listen to that, too."
Sendek admitted the Sun Devils learned last year that they can't "erase what happens in November and December."
To that end, he said it's key for ASU - and the Pac-10 in general - to play better in nonconference games. ASU finished second in the Pac-10 last year, but its RPI of 63 kept it out of the NCAA tournament.
The Sun Devils were instead a No. 1 seed in the National Invitation Tournament - only to lose at home to Jacksonville in the first round.
A fresh roster helps ASU forget about the game, which had followed a disappointing early Pac-10 tournament exit.
"That's something we've moved on from," McMillan said. "It's a deal where we have a new team and a new roster. It's a new day and a new year."
2010-11 SCHEDULE
November
16 at New Mexico 8 p.m.
20 UAB 2 p.m.
Great Alaska Shooutout
25 vs. Houston Baptist 7 p.m.
26 vs. Weber St. or Anchorage TBD
27 vs. TBD TBD
December
2 at Baylor 5 p.m.
5 RICHMOND noon
11 GARDNER-WEBB noon
17 at Nevada 7 p.m.
21 LONG BEACH STATE 5 p.m.
23 NORTH CAROLINA A&T noon
30 at Oregon State* 8:30 p.m.
January
1 at Oregon* TBA
6 STANFORD* 6:30 p.m.
8 CALIFORNIA* 12:30 p.m.
12 TULSA* 6:30 p.m.
15 at Arizona* 12:30 p.m.
20 at Washington State* 8 p.m.
22 at Washington* 2 p.m.
27 USC* 6:30 p.m.
29 UCLA* 1:30 p.m.
February
3 at California* 9 p.m.
5 at Stanford* 4 p.m.
13 ARIZONA* 7 p.m.
17 WASHINGTON* 6:30 p.m.
19 WASHINGTON STATE* noon
24 at UCLA* 9 p.m.
26 at USC* 5:30 p.m.
March
3 OREGON* TBA
5 OREGON STATE* TBA
*Pac-10 conference game
Times subject to change
