Although he has only played 2 years at Lafayette, PG Nick Lindner has already accomplished more than most 4-year players. As a freshman he played in all 31 games, was named to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team, and set a school record for the most assists ever by a freshman. As a sophomore he started all 31 games, led the conference in FT% and assist/turnover ratio, and was named Patriot League tourney MVP while leading the Leopards to their 1st conference title since 2000. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Nick about how to make FTs and how to overcome the loss of several top scorers from last year.
What made you choose Lafayette? I really bonded well with the guys on the team and it just felt like the right fit for me.
You play for Coach Fran O’Hanlon: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He was a great player himself and really understands the game, so it is nice to share knowledge with someone who has been there and done that. He teaches us that the team is bigger than any individual.
In 2014 you were named to the Patriot League All-Rookie team after becoming the 1st Lafayette freshman to start at PG in a season opener since 1997: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? My coaches and teammates (especially our senior leaders) showed confidence in me, which gave me confidence in myself.
Last February you scored a career-high 30 PTS (4-7 3PM) in a loss to Colgate: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? Not really: it was just what the team needed that day. We were struggling to score so I tried to be a little more aggressive.
You finished the year by leading the conference with 85 FT%: what is your secret for making FTs? I take a deep breath every time before I shoot a FT.
In the 2015 conference tourney you were named MVP after averaging 23.7 PPG (9-15 3PM) in 3 games: how big a deal was it to win the school’s 1st conference title since 2000, and how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? It was absolutely huge: that is why we practice and it made the hard work worth it. It meant a lot to all of us. When my shots are falling my teammates are good at giving me the ball in good situations.
In the 2015 NCAA tourney you scored 3 PTS in a loss to #1-seed Villanova: what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? We learned that we need to try to control ourselves in big-time games and slow ourselves down during pressure situations.
You are a government and law major: how much importance do you place on academics? Academics are very important, especially at a school like Lafayette. Our whole team is wired that way and we try to be the best at everything we do.
You lost 3 of your top-4 scorers from last season (Dan Trist/Seth Hinrichs/Joey Ptasinski): how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this year despite the fact that you are only a junior? I would not call it “pressure”. Our coach preaches that anyone from a freshman to a senior can be a leader: it is just about how you act on and off the court. I have tried to set a good example the past 2 years and will try again this year.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? The goal is to win another Patriot League championship so we will work as hard as we can and put forth our best effort.