CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews
We continue our 2016-17 season preview interview series with Texas A&M SO C Tyler Davis. Kentucky is known for always having 1 of the best freshman classes in the nation, but Davis showed that he is as good as any of them after being named to the 2016 SEC All-Freshman Team. He averaged 11+ PPG in 34 starts last season while leading his team in BLK. He was nearly unstoppable on the offensive end, leading the entire conference with 65.5 FG%. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Tyler about making an OT buzzer-beater to beat the Wildcats and surviving 1 of the wildest finishes in NCAA tourney history.
As a high school freshman in Frisco you weighed 350 pounds: how were you able to slim down? I just stayed in the gym and tried to eat right. I followed the footsteps of my nutritionist.
As a high school senior in Plano you won a state title with teammate DJ Hogg: what made you choose the Aggies, and what kind of chemistry do you 2 have on the court together in College Station? We have great chemistry because we have played together since our junior year of high school. There are a ton of reasons I chose A&M but mostly it was because I love the family feel of people who push me to get better every day.
You play for Coach Billy Kennedy: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He is great in every way both as a coach and person. He is a great man with a good heart so I take in everything that he says. He will never steer me in the wrong direction so it is easy to follow his lead.
Last February you scored 15 PTS including a tip-in at the buzzer to beat Kentucky by 2 PTS in OT: where does that rank among the highlights of your career? It is definitely 1 of the best ones. This is the last step you take to get to the next level and beating Kentucky at home is something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
Take me through the 2016 NCAA tourney:
You scored 10 PTS in a 4-PT 2-OT win over Northern Iowa: how on earth were you able to overcome a 12-PT deficit with 44 seconds left in regulation? We just kept fighting and took it 1 possession at a time. I was actually on the bench during our comeback: it was a miracle that we were able to come through with a big win.
You scored 17 PTS/7-8 FG in a Sweet 16 loss to Oklahoma: what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? I learned to stay calm. I only had 2 PTS in the 1st half but I was thinking too much about all the hype with a star like Buddy Hield and how good a team they had. I played at my pace in the 2nd half and things went much better for me.
You shot 65.5 FG% last season: what is the key to being a great shooter? I try to make the game easy: my size/power allows me to create angles. I want to be the best big man in the country so I worked on my jump shot all summer. Efficiency is key for me so that my teammates can trust me.
Your non-conference schedule includes games against USC/Virginia Tech/Arizona/West Virginia: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? All of those games are equal to me right now so I will play as hard as I can.
You lost 3 of your top-4 scorers from last year (Danuel House/Jalen Jones/Alex Caruso): how are you going to try to replace all of that offense? I feel we have more versatility this year and more guys who can put it on the floor and get to the basket. We can really stretch out a defense and it will be hard for teams to play zone against us.
In June you sprained your left wrist: how is your health doing at the moment? It is really good: I have been able to do everything in practice.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Our team goal is to not lose a game. My personal goal is to prepare the best I can for every practice/film session, which will help me perform better in every game.