Marcus Wells' on-the-job training last season should pay dividends this season at Winston-Salem State.
While the Rams' basketball team has five seniors and two juniors who will make an impact, it's Wells - a sophomore point guard from Durham - who will be counted on guide them in the CIAA. And Wells, who is sporting a full-length beard these days, says he is up to the task.
The Rams, who began practice Friday night at Ram Madness in a sold-out Gaines Center, expect to compete for the conference title.
"The seniors are the leaders of the team, but I'm the leader on the court," said Wells, who last season started 23 of 29 games and was third on the Rams in assists with 55. "Outside of basketball and off the court it's the seniors who we listen to a lot, but on the court I've got to be more vocal and try to make things happen."
That's music to Coach Bobby Collins' ears that Wells plans to be more vocal. Last season Wells spoke barely above a whisper on the court.
"We are putting the ball in his hands," Collins said. "And I had to do that last year, and now he has some experience. And I'm going to look for him to carry us and to lead us where we want to go.
"He definitely has matured and has grown and he understands me a little better. I think he's going to have a great year."
Wells made a lot of things happen last season. Although he did have 55 assists while averaging 21 minutes a game, he also was second on the team in turnovers with 65.
"I'm more excited this year, and I'm more comfortable with my abilities to create and make things happen," Wells said.
Another improvement that Wells must make is his shooting. Teams backed off defensively, daring him to shoot. He was 5 of 42 on 3-point attempts for 12 percent. Overall he shot 33 percent, making 54 field goals in 164 attempts.
Because Wells will be counted on more at point guard, it has allowed senior Andrew Jackson to spend more time at shooting guard. Jackson played a majority of minutes at point guard last season but was more effective at shooting guard.
Jackson says he has noticed the subtle changes to Wells' attitude.
"In the offseason Marcus took a leadership role, and he was more vocal and Coach Collins loves having vocal point guards," Jackson said. "It was just something Marcus wasn't used to coming out of high school and that was to be more vocal. He's doing that now.
"I think he's definitely ready to come in and lead us where we need to be."
Much has been made about the wealth of big men with 6-9 Paul Davis, 6-10 Corey Morris and 6-8 McIntoche Alcius, but somebody has to get them the ball. Wells is good at finding the open man underneath, but he sometimes forced things last season.
Collins says that if Wells produces, then it should make Jackson a better player. The Rams' only key loss from last season was Brian Fisher, who usually took the big shots.
"Drew has got to be a prolific scorer for us this year," Collins said of Jackson. "Hopefully, Marcus improves, and when I played Drew and Marcus together they did pretty well last season. We'll need more of that."
During the Ram Madness festivities, each player was given a T-shirt to throw to the fans, but Wells walked across the court and give the T-shirt to his mother, Kimberly Brown. Wells got a hug in return.
"I gave my T-shirt to my mom because she brought my sister and my little nephew, so she deserved it," Wells said.
That was his first assist of the season, and Collins hopes it's just the beginning.
