Transfer Anthony Livingston getting comfortable at Texas Tech

RELATED: Chris Beard focused on winning right away for his six seniors

Senior forward Anthony Livingston transferred in to Texas Tech from Arkansas State this summer, and he is expected to be a key player for the Red Raiders this season.

We sat down with Livingston to discuss his transition and how he's settling into his role in Lubbock.

Q: What was it about Chris Beard, his staff and Texas Tech that made you decide to become a Red Raider?

Livingston: "With Coach Beard, definitely his accolades and how he's been winning over the course of his career. I like that. Another thing that stood out that made it easy to come to Texas Tech was getting a chance to play in one of the best conferences in college basketball. I also played against coach Beard (at Arkansas-Little Rock), so he's familiar with my game, and I'm familiar with his coaching style and everything like that, so it was almost a no-brainer for me."

Q: How has the offseason and transition gone so far this summer as you've prepared for the season?

Livingston: "Everything has been going great. The transition was great. I came here a little out of shape, and I'm definitely in better shape than I was coming in here. I'm definitely looking forward to sticking to the process. Man, I'm at a loss for words. It's a beautiful feeling, and I'm lucky to be here as a senior. I'm definitely looking forward to this upcoming season."

Q: What's it been like getting to know the guys on this team? It's about 50-50 between guys that are newcomers and returners. How welcoming were those guys?

Livingston: "They were very welcoming. You don't see a lot of positive guys, especially where I come from, where I've been the last few years. I'm looking forward to being on the floor with these guys because of the culture and energy they bring to this team will transition, and I think we can make a lot of noise in this conference."

Q: And at the same time, is it a little bit easier transferring in with so many other guys that are newcomers, too?

Livingston: "It definitely was an easy transition. The guys are all different types of personalities. I always think it's good to meet different people from different places, interact with guys that you probably are not real comfortable with. You begin to get comfortable with those people because, at the end of the day, we're family. We've got to treat each other as such."

Q: Now that you've been here a few months, what have been the things that have really stuck out to you about Beard and this staff now that you've been coached by them for a bit?

Livingston: "Honesty and consistency. Those two things right there are big in my life that I believe in. I believe in honesty. I don't believe in people lying to you, telling you what you want to hear to get you where you want to go. With coach Beard and his staff, it's been about honesty, and they've been consistent with everything they've told me, so that's stood out to me the most."

Q: With this offense, you guys are going to run a lot of NBA-style things, lots of motion and pick and roll. What do you think about that, and how do you feel like you fit into the situation here?

Livingston: "Well that's big for me. My game is versatile. I can play inside-out, take advantage of mismatches in the post. Like you said, it's a pro-style offense. That will bring in views from the next level to take a look at guys like myself and the other guys on this team. That's a big deal with this offense and the coaching staff with what they have going on. It's definitely a big deal."

Q: Where does Beard have you playing right now in the front court? Does he specifically want you to play center or forward?

Livingston: "He honestly just wants me to be a basketball player. He does have some specific things he wants me to do. He wants me to be a leader on the team since I'm one of the older guys, one of the mature guys, and he wants me to rebound the ball, score the ball, and do whatever I need to do to help this team and get to the next level."

Q: What have you thought about the other players in the front court that were already here? You know, guys like Norense Odiase, Matthew Temple and Zach Smith?

Livingston: "Man, those are great guys. They've been here the last couple of years, and they've helped me out a lot with showing me places I've got to be, how to get to certain things on time. I can't thank them enough and having me, for welcoming me with open arms."

Q: What is your vision for this team, and what do you want to accomplish in the one season you'll be at Tech?

Livingston: "Man this one year, my ultimate goal for this team, myself, and this coaching staff is to go as deep as we can in the NCAA Tournament. I understand it's a day-by-day process of being consistent and being honest with each other, sticking to the process every day, and working 110 percent. I commend all of these guys and the coaches for all being in this together and putting it together, and I'm definitely looking forward to doing big things with this unit."