We are still about 6 weeks away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Middle Tennessee G Jalynn Gregory, who talked about graduating last summer and her expectations for this season.
You originally committed to UT-Martin before reopening your recruitment: what made you choose Middle Tennessee? The culture that they have developed through the years. It is very much a close-knit family and they are not afraid to tell you what you are doing right/wrong. I am such a big family person so that drew me here.
You play for Coach Rick Insell: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? There are so many things that make him a good coach but 2 of the most important are his love for the game and his directness. When he gets on you he is just trying to make you better: if he let us sit there and be complacent then we would just be a mediocre team.
In the 2022 WNIT quarterfinals you made 2 FTs to tie the game with 7 seconds left (your only 2 PTS of the game) in a 2-PT win at Toledo: how nervous were you with the game on the line as a freshman, and did you think that you were going to make them both? Of course I was nervous: it was a big game and 1 of the best atmospheres that I have ever played in. I have prepared myself for moments like that so Rick gave me a head nod and that was enough for me to know “I got this”.
In the 2023 C-USA tourney title game you scored 24 PTS/5-5 3PM in a win over Western Kentucky en route to being named conference tourney MVP: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? That was my night for the team: I had to step up as part of my job and the role I play. I was the 1 being left open so I had to do it for them. We were all so excited and happy for each other in the locker room.
Last December you scored a team-high 22 PTS/5-9 3PM in a win over Tennessee: how big a deal was it to get the 1st win over the Lady Vols in school history, and how do you like your chances for the rematch in Knoxville this November? That was a great feeling, especially growing up as a Tennessee kid watching Coach Pat Summitt. It pushed a lot of us to win that battle, and the next battle in November will not be easy, but we are just as good as last year so I think our chances of winning again are good.
Last season you won each of your final 16 regular season games, then won the C-USA tourney, then scored 24 PTS in a 2-PT upset of Louisville in the NCAA tourney before losing at defending-champ LSU: what did you learn from that remarkable run that you think will help you this year? Every day you have to work to win that next game. You cannot get ahead of yourself, take it 1 game at a time, and try to win the next practice.
You are a career 87.1% FT shooter and have led the league in 3PM during each of the past 2 years: what is the key to being a great shooter? Staying consistent in the gym, keeping a positive mindset, and always believing that your next shot is going in.
Your cousin Kelsey played basketball at Lipscomb: who is the best athlete in the family? I will have to go with myself but we were different kinds of players. She was a true PG but had 3 ACL tears so we never got to see what she could really do.
You graduated with a degree in psychology a couple of months ago: how does it feel?! It feels great! I enjoyed getting to graduate early and my current schedule does not involve any in-person classes, but I am glad that I get to work on my next degree (a Masters in professional studies with a concentration in leadership).
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I want to play my role for my team and do a better job of being a vocal leader while backing it up with my actions. We want to be ranked after non-conference play, go undefeated again during conference play by taking it 1 game at a time, and then make it to the Elite 8/Final 4.