Last Wednesday Lehigh beat Boston University 74-60 in the Patriot League tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Mountain Hawks were 12-16 in mid-February, but have won 6 in a row since then to make the NCAA tourney for the 1st time since 2012. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Lehigh JR G Nasir Whitlock about being named conference tourney MVP and making the NCAA tourney.
You were born/raised in Minnesota: what made you choose Lehigh? It was a combination of basketball and academics for me. The coaching staff was great, so it felt like the best situation for me.
You play for Coach Brett Reed: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? His competitiveness: sometimes I can sense that he has to turn it down for us because he always wants to win. His biggest thing with me was to help me improve all the facets of my game to make me a well-rounded player.
You played in 31 games as a freshman: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? My role as a freshman was to come off the bench and be a sparkplug as a PG. I just tried to get some scoring going and bring some energy to the court. It was my 1st time coming off the bench in a while, so I had to adjust to that, but it ended up giving me some confidence.
Last month you tied a career-high with 33 PTS/12-16 FG in an 8-PT win over American: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? My teammates found me at the right time: American was doubling our big men in the post, so my teammates passed the ball out to me and I had a couple of open looks early on. As a player it is always good when you can get in the zone, but I credit my teammates for making the right plays.
You led the league this season with 21 PPG: what is the secret to being a great scorer? Letting it come to you rather than forcing it. The more I let the game come to me, the more effective a scorer I am. I just get into the flow of the game, which is what the best scorers are able to do.
Last Wednesday in the Patriot title game you scored a team-high 18 PTS in a win over Boston University: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? There were 4 of us who scored 14+ PTS that night so our offense was very well-rounded. I did not play my best (5-13 FG), but just tried to clear my mind, treat it like any other game, and be aggressive.
You were also named tourney MVP: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It meant a lot and is a blessing, but I was just focused on the win. The MVP award also could have gone to 2 of my teammates who ended up making the all-tournament team (Hank Alvey/Joshua Ingram).
After only starting 2 games combined during your 1st 2 years you started all 34 (and counting) this year: what is the biggest difference between being a starter and coming off the bench? Being a starter allows you to find your way into the flow of the game, but if you come off the bench then you need to make an impact right away.
Your opening game this season featured your most impressive opponent this season (Houston): what makes the Cougars such a great team? Their defense and how hard they play, which travels anywhere. They have so much communication and hold each other accountable.
What kind of seed do you think you deserve, and what kind of seed do you think you will get? I think we will get a 16 seed. I do not pay much attention to predictions, so we will just go out and play.
