We continue our 2016-17 season preview interview series with UNC-Asheville JR PG Kevin Vannatta. Last year he started all 30 games and led the Big South in minutes played. He does everything you need a PG to do: he makes shots from all over the floor (50 FG%), makes most of his shots from the FT line (80 FT%), and also led the team in AST. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Kevin about playing a ton of minutes and facing the champs in the NCAA tourney.
You grew up in Ohio: what made you choose the Bulldogs? I ended up choosing UNC-Asheville because it was the best fit for me in terms of athletics/academics. They showed me during the recruiting process that I was a priority and they offered opportunities that some other schools did not.
You scored 7.6 PPG as a freshman: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I just tried to come onto campus and compete from Day 1. As a freshman I focused on playing hard/tough and having the best attitude/effort. Once I found myself on the floor I just took good shots within the flow of the offense.
Last year you led the conference in total minutes played: how exhausted were you by the end of the season? When you are playing that amount of minutes the days in between games are crucial to getting your body recovered/ready for the next game: I spent a lot of time in ice baths last year! The coaches and I had great trust in one another so we could make sure that I was getting the proper treatment/preparation for games.
Your 79.5 FT% was #7 in the conference: what is the secret to making FTs? I think that the secret is a mix of practice/confidence. I try to consistently practice FTs all year and then I just trust in my practice, have faith in my routine, and shoot with confidence. I expect to make every one.
You were #2 on the team in PPG and #1 in AST: how do you balance your scoring with your passing? I do not look at it in those terms: I look at it as what I need to do to help the team. If the right play is to shoot then I shoot and if there is a teammate open then I pass. The most important thing to me has always been and will always be winning games.
In the 2016 Big South tourney title game you scored 12 PTS in a 9-PT win over Winthrop: what did it mean to you to win the title, and what was the reaction like when you got back to campus? Winning the conference championship was a dream come true. All of the hard work we had put in it finally paid off. Being able to climb that ladder and cut the nets down was something very special that I will remember forever. The city of Asheville went crazy: our school was a very fun place to be during both the conference tournament as well as the NCAA tournament a week or so later. The support we received from everybody was tremendous.
In the 2016 NCAA tourney you scored 5 PTS in a loss to eventual champion Villanova: what did you learn from that loss that you think can help you this year? I learned what an NCAA championship team looks/plays/acts like. They were such a talented, well-coached, disciplined team. The image of playing against them is still fresh in a lot of our minds so we can bring that toughness/attention to detail to the table this year. We have a better understanding of what it really takes.
You play for Coach Nick McDevitt: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? Coach Nick is a great coach because he has a fantastic understanding of the game and how to manage his players. Something he taught me that will stick with me for life is the list of our core values: TEAMS (Toughness, Effort, Attitude, Motives, Servant Leadership).
Your non-conference schedule includes road games against VCU/Georgia/Kansas/Ohio State: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? I think that all 4 of those games will be extremely difficult because all of those teams are tremendously talented, well-coached, and tough. We will have our hands full with each of those 4 as well as many more on our schedule for that matter. We look forward to those opportunities and when the night comes we will be ready to step onto the floor and compete.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Every year the goal is to win a regular season championship and win the conference tournament. My expectations are not measured in wins vs. losses, but rather that our team will compete everyday and be a tough, hard-nosed, hard-playing team. If we do that then we will give ourselves a great chance to win.