ISU coach Dan Muller let it be known after a disappointing 17-16 campaign ended in March that he wasn't going to put up with a lackadaisical effort and attitude in the future.
"It doesn't take a whole lot to notice where the team's head is at," said junior swingman Matt Chastain. "The thing that I'm excited about is the high energy. It's physical practices because everyone wants to win, compete and go at it."
Beard added: Hank Beard, a 6-foot senior guard from Seminole, Fla., has joined the Redbirds as a walk-on. Beard averaged 1.