Season preview: HoopsHD interviews new FGCU head coach Michael Fly

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of Jon Teitel’s Season Previews and Interviews

We continue our season preview coverage with new Florida Gulf Coast head coach Michael Fly. There are plenty of new head coaches in college basketball this year but there is only 1 who worked for a #15-seed that made it to the Sweet 16 (which Fly did as an assistant to Andy Enfield at Dunk City 5 years ago). He has all the abbreviations covered: he worked in the NBA, worked for the NCAA, and even worked for an NAIA team while still in college himself. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Coach Fly about being a new coach and overcoming the loss of 2 great guards.

You grew up in Kentucky and went to college in Lexington: what is your favorite memory of those old Tubby Smith teams? It is funny how your career goes: Coach Dooley used to be on the coaching staff with Tubby at South Carolina (under George Felton in the late-1980s)! I have gotten to know Coach Smith at little as I have gotten older. In Kentucky basketball is religion so I tell my players all the time that if you would not go as hard as you could while playing at Kentucky, then do not do that here. I saw great players like Rajon Rondo/Tayshaun Prince at Rupp Arena and the grit they played with: they did not have a ton of 1st round picks back then but they defended like none other. All the different things they did (such as Midnight Madness) are stuff that I have tried to bring to FGCU. You learn the culture by being around it and watching it.

While you were still a student you became an assistant at NAIA Georgetown College for 1 season: did the players just look at you and wonder how someone their age was qualified to be coaching them?! I was a glorified manager for lack of a better word but due to the rules in place at the time I was allowed to go on the road and scout/recruit. I was a good high school player but some of the Georgetown guys who were on scholarship had been my teammates at high school all-star games: they did not like it when I would tell them to run sprints! Coach Happy Osborne won a national title in 1998 and is as good a coach as any guy that I have ever been around.

After graduation you spent 1 year as a video coordinator assistant for the Charlotte Bobcats and then 1 year as an interns in the NCAA’s corporate office: how did either of those jobs prepare you to be a head coach? They were both really valuable experiences. I tell our young guys that if you do not have a wife/kids then you should try as many things as you can until you find out what you really like. It was a lot of work at Charlotte but a tremendous experience to learn how to review video, do draft prep, etc. I was in the business world at the NCAA so I would work with corporate clients, act as a liaison to ESPN at championship events, etc. Some of my really good friends were in the NCAA enforcement office so I understand that aspect of the athletic department as well as interacting with the championship committee. It is funny: some of the people I met at meetings back in the day are now running the NCAA tourney!

You worked with Andy Enfield as a part of Leonard Hamilton’s staff at Florida State, then followed him to FGCU when he became head coach in 2011: what makes Andy such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you ever learned from him? It is twofold: he was similar to me in that he spent some time in the business world so he always treated people the right way whether he was in a team huddle or a board room. Everything we did was from a business perspective: we felt that if we looked good then we would play good. He is a little reserved on the sidelines (like Steve Kerr/Brad Stevens) and is not a yeller. The players felt that they could relate to him, which has been so valuable to me. He did not stick to the coaching norms: he was just himself and people really respected that. He would always say that you “play” basketball rather than “work” it because it is a game: we held the team accountable but we tried to make it a good experience.

In 2013 you won 3 straight conference tourney games by double-digits, then upset Georgetown/San Diego State by double-digits to become the 1st #15 seed to ever make the Sweet 16 before losing to Florida: where does that March rank among the greatest months of your life? It is 2nd only to the month I got married. We had tremendous success with Coach Hamilton at Florida State but nobody saw it coming at FGCU besides us. If you look back at our non-conference schedule we beat Miami and lost to a bunch of good teams (including VCU/Duke/St. John’s/Iowa State) but we had zero fear factor. If we could beat Miami by double-figures then we knew that we could beat any team on any given night. Coach Enfield did a great job of letting our guys enjoy the moment: dancing on the court, jumping around the locker room, etc. We were national celebrities for a week…and then tried to figure out how to beat Florida. Some people steer away from such things and try to stay on point the entire time but I do not: that is what we did before and that is what we want to do again.

After Joe Dooley was hired as head coach at East Carolina last April you were promoted to head coach at FGCU: why did you take the job, and how is it going so far? Any time you have a chance to be a head coach you say so immediately, but it helped that this is such a special place to me. In our 1st year we went 15-17 and almost beat Belmont to go to the NCAA tourney. The guys who became stars a year later really learned what it takes to get to the next level. I was here when there were not a lot of fans in the stands: now we sell out our home games. This is not just a job for me: it is a family atmosphere and is kind of like our baby because there was no D-1 program before we got here. I am just honored to take the baton from Andy/Joe and try to raise that bar even higher. I was just in a local restaurant and everyone was coming up to say how excited they were for our season to start: it is a community wide social experiment and has gone really well.

2 of your new players are transfers Schadrac Casimir (2015 MAAC ROY at Iona)/Haanif Cheatham (2016 Big East All-Freshman team at Marquette): how do you expect them to fit into the backcourt after you graduated 2 great seniors guards in Brandon Goodwin/Christian Terrell? Schadrac was a great get for us because he was 1 of the best grad transfers out there. We were so fortunate to have those great guards but we actually lost all 5 starters and a ton of talent. We also have guys like Troy Baxter/Ricky Doyle and some good incoming freshmen who played for major AAU programs in Florida. We have an older team that just has not had a chance to play together. We were so used to having 3-4 year starters that it is kind of a new experience for all of us. It will be a fun growth period and I have scheduled some extremely hard teams but I think it will help prepare us: I really like our roster.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Michigan State/Mississippi: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? Most years you look at the schedule and can say that if you play well then you will win this game or that 1…but there are not too many of those on our schedule this year. South Dakota State has Mike Daum, Toledo won 23 games last year, UMBC did some amazing things last year, etc. I think that each game is important but we try to prepare our guys for down the road.

Last year your team’s 81.3 PPG was top-30 in the nation and their 49.4 FG% was top-10: is your offensive philosophy to just keep doing what works or are you installing some different plays this year? I am really fortunate to have worked for really good coaches. As you go through your career you take what you like and discard what you do not like. Coach Dooley did what he believed in and was pretty successful in molding the program to fit him. I will not get away from recruiting high-level guards, and at “Dunk City” you need to roll out some good athletes. Everyone is doing the 4-out/1-in offense now (which we have played for a while) and we will try to get up and down in transition. I think less is more so I do not want guys to play like robots. We give them some rules but for the most part we tell them to take good open shots and play as hard as they can on every possession. There will be a lot of spacing/freedom of movement.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? When you lose 5 starters from a championship team and bring in a brand-new coaching staff it takes some time so I do not look at it as a 1-year plan. I just want us to play to the standard that we have set for this program: if we conduct ourselves the right way on and off the court and care about each other then I will not be worried about the wins/losses. This is about more than just 1 person: it is an entire program. We will play harder than anyone and play unselfish.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Season preview: HoopsHD interviews new FGCU head coach Michael Fly

Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Kentucky SG Maci Morris

Posted on September 11, 2018 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of Jon Teitel’s Season Previews and Interviews

We continue our season preview coverage with Kentucky SG Maci Morris. When you hear the phrase “Big Blue Nation” you probably think of John Calipari and a bunch of super-frosh…but Maci Morris might end up changing that. After starting all 33 games in 2016 and being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, she led her team with 88.1 FT% as a sophomore, and was #2 in the nation last year with 47.5 3P%. Her 1209 career PTS is already #20 in school history and if she has a great senior season then she might just make the all-conference 1st team in 1 of the toughest leagues in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Maci about becoming a Wildcat and being a great shooter.

You grew up in Kentucky, were named after former Kentucky player Kyle Macy, and wear his uniform number (4): have you ever had the chance to meet him, and was it inevitable that you would become a Wildcat? That is true. I have met him a couple of times: we usually talk about basketball whenever I see him. When you are born in Kentucky you are raised as either a Kentucky or Louisville fan and my household is UK. My dad was a big fan of Kyle’s so that is where they got the inspiration.

In 2016 you started all 33 games and were named to the SEC All-Freshman team: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? My parents/coaches really pushed me to work my hardest every day and just compete. I earned myself a spot in the starting lineup and tried to help the team in any way I could.

Last February you scored a career-high 35 PTS/5-9 3PM in a loss to South Carolina: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? Kind of. I wanted to win every game and the best way I could help our team do that was to score. I was more open than usual in that game and I was getting a lot of good looks. It was a fun game even though we lost and their fans were very respectful toward me.

Last year you ranked #2 in the country with 47.5 3P%: what is the secret to making shots from behind the arc? Just practicing: getting into the gym and getting shots up. Your shot/form needs to be consistent and you need a good quick release: when people are chasing you around the court you cannot be hesitant.

You are a career 86.3 FT% shooter: what is the key to making FTs? I have had the same routine for as long as I can remember. My consistency helps me focus on my shot: I get in a rhythm and it makes it easier for me to shoot FTs.

The final women’s basketball rankings last year had 6 SEC teams in the top-25 (Mississippi State/South Carolina/Texas A&M/Tennessee/Georgia/Missouri): is it slowly changing from a football conference to a women’s basketball conference?! For sure! I think the SEC is the toughest league in almost every sport. Tennessee used to be the big powerhouse and now it is South Carolina/Mississippi State: it is a very competitive league.

You are 1 of 4 seniors on the roster: how crucial will all of that experience be to your team’s success this year? It will be very crucial: 1 of our coaches told me that Pat Summitt always said a team is only as good as its seniors. We have to set the tone for the younger players and give our best effort.

What was the best part of your team’s trip to Italy in August? The history/beauty of the country. The gelato was also amazing: I think I ate it every day I was there! It was an awesome experience.

It seems like everyone in your family played 1 or more sports in college: who is the best athlete in the family? I would say my dad: he was named Kentucky athlete of the year. He played baseball/basketball so to play 2 sports in college is pretty impressive to me.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I want to finish my senior year with a winning season, win an SEC title, and make a good run in the NCAA tourney.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Kentucky SG Maci Morris

Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Tennessee PF Kyle Alexander

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of Jon Teitel’s Season Previews and Interviews

We continue our season preview coverage with Tennessee PF Kyle Alexander. It has been a pretty good summer for Canadian basketball players: Tristan Thompson made the NBA Finals for the 4th straight year with Cleveland, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was selected 11th overall by Charlotte in the 2018 NBA draft before being traded to the Clippers, and Steve Nash was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame last weekend. Ontario native Kyle Alexander hopes to keep the ball rolling this fall in Knoxville after coming THIS close to a Sweet 16 trip last March. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Kyle about growing up in the Great White North and being a great shot-blocker.

You grew up in Canada and did not play basketball until your junior year of high school: how did you 1st get into the sport, and how good was your classmate Jamal Murray back in the day? I did not start playing basketball until I was 16 years old. My dad came home 1 day while I was playing “Call of Duty”: he told me that I was tall/athletic and not using any of the gifts I got from God.  I ended up going to a skills academy and then got a scholarship to prep school. I went from only playing for 5 months to being on the same court as Jamal. He was unbelievable and made all of us wonder how he could do some of the things he did, which is why he is now on the Nuggets.

What made you choose Tennessee? I had only been playing basketball for a couple of years at the time and was choosing between New Mexico (who has a great film program) and Tennessee. The Vols were starting fresh with Coach Rick Barnes who had coached a couple of Canadian players in the past at Texas (such as Cory Joseph/Tristan Thompson), and I felt it gave me the best chance to become the best player I can be as I try to get to the next level.

You play for Coach Barnes: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him? He coaches everyone the same way and has built a great culture here.  He has helped transform us into a good team: even if we have won 10 games in a row and are feeling great, he will remind us that it is still not the same as winning a national championship. He met with his former Texas player Kevin Durant and told us about KD’s incredible work ethic: he gets into the gym 2-3 times/day and really works hard for it.

In January of 2016 you tied a school single-game record with 6 BLK in a loss at TCU: what is the secret to blocking shots? That is 1 thing that always helped me out when I was starting: my offensive skill set was not there at the very start but my defense kept me out on the floor. That day was also the most minutes I have ever played in a game (31). I just have good timing and long arms.

In the 2018 NCAA tourney Clayton Custer scored 10 PTS including a jumper in the final seconds of 1-PT win by Loyola-Chicago: what did you learn from that game that will help you this year? Something that everyone learned from Loyola is that if you are disciplined and play hard then you can make a run to the Final 4. The other thing that happened was when #16-seed UMBC beat #1 Virginia: you just have to put in the work.

Your brutal non-conference schedule includes games against Georgia Tech/Louisville/Gonzaga/Wake Forest/West Virginia: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? I see every game as a test this year: last year we were picked 13th in the SEC so nobody respected us but now people will be looking at us as the team people want to beat to help boost their record. As the tallest guy on the roster every game is a test for me: every single game is important.

Last year you led the SEC in ORB%: what is the key to being a good offensive rebounder? I did not know that! Long arms and tenacity. Admiral Schofield is like my brother and we are really close: his brother O’Brien is in the NFL and wants to see us both succeed. He will send me texts every day about Tristan Thompson’s rebounding stats: if I want to be productive or get a double-double I need to find my own way on the offensive boards. That is my role so it is a conscious reminder.

You got your degree in Communications last May and are currently pursuing your master’s degree: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? I wanted to get a film degree but all the film classes at Tennessee are from 1-3PM…which is the same time as our practices. That is the sacrifice I had to make. My goal was to graduate in 3 years: I decided to do an internship with a local film studio and learn how to use their editing software. When you love what you do it is easy to do it, but it was hard to love taking 6 classes in a semester.

Your father Joseph played basketball at Niagara and your sister Kayla graduated from Syracuse as the all-time leading scorer in school history: who is the best athlete in the family? I will say me but I get everything I have from my parents (my mom also played volleyball). I learned my work ethic from my sister: she is tall but all of her coaches/teammates who I have talked to say that it was her work ethic that helped her succeed.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I have never won any type of accolade so I really want to lead the SEC in BLK/ORB% this year and see our team go as far as we can. There were a lot of games last year where I did not do my part as an upperclassman so I want to be more consistent: I cannot take any plays off. I am focusing on that every single day both in practice and in the weight room.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Tennessee PF Kyle Alexander

Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Old Dominion coach Nikki McCray-Penson

Posted on September 9, 2018 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of Jon Teitel’s Season Previews and Interviews

We continue our season preview coverage with Old Dominion coach Nikki McCray-Penson. There are several successful women’s players who have gone on to become successful women’s coaches: just look at South Carolina’s 2017 NCAA championship coach Dawn Staley (who was 2-time national POY in 1991/1992 at Virginia). With Tina Thompson/Lindsay Whalen joining the coaching ranks at Virginia/Minnesota respectively, perhaps this will become a common occurrence. Coach McCray-Penson had a rough 1st season in Norfolk but if her playing career is any indication then the future is bright. She went to 4 straight Sweet 16s as a player at Tennessee, made 3 straight WNBA All-Star games, and won a pair of Olympic gold medals. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Coach McCray-Penson about winning gold medals and being inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

In the 1994 NCAA tourney as a player at Tennessee you had a 111-37 win over North Carolina A&T, which remains the largest margin of victory ever in an NCAA tourney game: did it reach a point where you were worried about running up the score? I do not remember that game but sometimes you just get into a groove. The NCAA tourney is a new season and you want to set the tone heading into your opening game. We played a certain way: every possession mattered and we tried to do things the right way.

In the 1995 NCAA tourney title game you had a 6-PT loss to an undefeated Connecticut team: how close did you come to ruining their perfect season in your final college game, and what was your reaction when the 2 schools announced last month that they will be renewing the rivalry in 2020 after discontinuing it in 2007? Every year we played 1 of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country to prepare us to win a national title. We were up at halftime and had a chance to win so I will always remember that game. I am happy the rivalry is re-starting: Pat Summitt/Geno Auriemma are so respected within our sport and have a rich tradition of winning.

You were a 2-time SEC POY/2-time All-American: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? I credit a lot to my teammates/coaches. Pretty much every year someone from our school was an All-American: when you compete against high-level teammates every day in practice you just have to try to separate yourself.

You were known for being a great defender: what was your secret? It is really about desire/decisions. I grew up with cousins who never thought that I was good enough to play with them so I always tried to prove myself.

In 1997 you were named American Basketball League MVP and after the league folded you became a 3-time WNBA All-Star: what is the biggest difference between college basketball and pro basketball? The pace is definitely different: everything is faster. Body types/mentality are also different. You have to work on your diet and be efficient at what you do.

As a member of team USA you won gold medals at the Olympics in 1996/2000: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a pair of gold medals? That is the ultimate sign of success and a beautiful thing that you dream of as a kid. It is not about you: it is about your country. Now as a coach I try to instill that in my young ladies: there are only a select few who get to wear that USA uniform.

You played for 1 Hall of Famer at Tennessee in Pat Summitt and worked for another Hall of Famer at South Carolina in Dawn Staley: what is the most important thing that you learned from either of them? Both of them have impacted the lives of their players and both have great coaching trees thanks to their former players. It is more than just about wins: it is about relationships and how you treat people. They were great at inspiring the people around them to be better.

In 2012 you were inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame: where does that rank among the highlights of your career? It is not something that you think about growing up but as you keep checking goals off your list you realize that it is an amazing blessing. I have had great coaches/teammates/family members/friends who helped me along the way, which is how I was able to achieve that.

Last year you became head coach of the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs: why did you take the job, and what was the best part of year #1? This is where I am supposed to be. This school is rich in tradition and has great people. After leaving a great place like South Carolina it was a no-brainer to come her due to the great fans: now it is about restoring the tradition.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? We will continue to build on our culture. We brought in some more talent this year so we want some more wins: as long as we are dedicated to being champions on and off the floor I think that it will happen. We are getting more pieces so I am excited about building on last year’s run.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Old Dominion coach Nikki McCray-Penson

Season preview: HoopsHD interviews TCU PG Alex Robinson

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of Jon Teitel’s Season Previews and Interviews

We continue our season preview coverage with TCU PG Alex Robinson. When Jaylen Fisher suffered a right knee injury last January that knocked him out for the rest of the season, fans in Fort Worth were fearing the worst. Fortunately, Alex Robinson jumped right in with a 17-AST game in a win over Iowa State and continued to impress over the final 16 games: 11.8 PPG/7.3 APG/1.6 SPG/39.5 3P%. The Horned Frogs had 3 crushing losses to end the year (4-PT loss at Texas Tech in the regular season finale, 2-PT OT loss to Kansas State in the Big 12 tourney, and a 5-PT loss to Syracuse in the NCAA tourney), but they return a ton of talent this year to compete in the most competitive conference in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Alex about winning an NIT title and being a senior leader this season.

You originally signed with Texas A&M and played 32 games as a freshman: why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose TCU? I wanted to be closer to home after getting into a car accident.

You play for Coach Jamie Dixon: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him? He is like a basketball guru: he knows what is going to happen even before it happens. He is right 99.9% of the time.

In the 2017 Big 12 tourney you had 13 PTS/7 REB/7 AST/5 STL in a 3-PT win over top-ranked Kansas: how were you able to pull off the upset? That was the turning point for our program. Everyone bought in and adapted to the winning culture.

In the 2017 NIT title game you had 10 PTS/11 AST/4 STL in a win over Georgia Tech: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most, and what did it mean to you to win a title? Playing for a championship for the 1st time in school history in Madison Square Garden was like a dream come true.  We just had to make the most of the opportunity, and we did.

You led the Big 12 in AST in 2017 and last January you set a school record with 17 AST in a win over Iowa State: what is the key to being a good PG? Getting to know your teammates: where they like the ball, who has the hot hand, etc. You cannot try to do too much and you have to make sure that everyone is communicating.

In the 2018 NCAA tourney you had 8 AST in a 5-PT loss to Syracuse: what did you learn from that game that will help you this year? We did not talk as much as we usually do so I will make sure that I am consistent in my leadership this year and that we are all on the same page. I also need to pick and choose when to be aggressive.

You are 1 of only 2 seniors on the roster: how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this year? None at all: we are a big family so there is not any pressure. Everyone holds each other accountable so it is a good situation to be in.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against USC/Florida: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? Both of those teams are really good and will give us a different look as we prepare for Big 12 play. We will have to really prepare for both of them.

Your mother Darla played for the TCU women’s basketball team: who is the best athlete in the family? Probably her: it is great that I came here to wear her number (25) and see her smile. She has done a lot for me so it means the world to me.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? My goals are to win the Big 12 regular season title, the Big 12 tourney championship, and then make a deep run in the NCAA tourney.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Season preview: HoopsHD interviews TCU PG Alex Robinson

Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Wright State G Mark Hughes

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of Jon Teitel’s Season Previews and Interviews

We continue our season preview coverage with Wright State G Mark Hughes. The Raiders were 1 of the great success stories in college basketball last year: after losing 20 games back in 2015, they won a school-record 25 games last season and made the NCAA tourney for the 1st time since 2007. Loudon Love received most of the media love as the 2018 Horizon ROY, but it takes much more than freshmen to succeed. Mark Hughes has played 94 games in a Wright State uniform and after the graduation of leading scorer Grant Benzinger he will be expected to take on a much larger role as a senior. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Mark about becoming a great FT shooter and All-League defender.

You grew up in Ohio: what made you choose Wright State? It was between Wright State and my hometown school of Youngstown State. I wanted to get out and experience something new and when I came here to visit it was just a good fit. My family can travel to my games to watch me play, which was very important to me. I was recruited by Coach Billy Donlon but Coach Nagy is great too.

You play for Coach Scott Nagy: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him? He expects a lot from you, which makes you want to work even harder. We play free and play with a lot of love for each other: we are all close. When you know that a coach cares for you, it makes playing for him that much easier.

You started 20 games as a freshman, 0 as a sophomore, then all 35 as a junior: what is the biggest difference between being a starter vs. coming off the bench? As a starter you are expected to contribute right away, but coming off the bench you can watch the flow of the game. There is more emphasis on your warm-up when you are a starter.

Last February you had 13 PTS/career-high 14 REB in a 4-PT win over Green Bay: how on earth were you able to get so so many REB as a 6’4” G? That night it was just like every ball was bouncing my way. I am a good athlete with good size so I just gave Big Lou (Loudon Love) some relief.

In the 2018 NCAA tourney you scored 2 PTS in a loss to Tennessee: what did you learn from that game that you think will help you this year? Just how important a good start is when you are facing a good team. There is little margin for error against SEC teams so going forward we will focus on starting every single game well.

Your FT shooting increased from 52.6% in 2017 to 83.1% in 2018: what is the secret to making FTs? Just a lot of practice reps and going through your game routine. I did not get to the line that much as a sophomore but they are free points so they are important. My work last summer obviously helped me a lot last year.

You made the All-League defensive team last year: what is the key to playing good defense? A lot of it comes from our scouting reports. Our assistant coaches do a great job of teaching us about our opponents’ tendencies: who is a driver, who is a shooter, etc.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Penn State/Mississippi State: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? Penn State will probably be our biggest test. We played them 2 years ago and they are always a good team that has good talent.

You are 1 of 4 seniors on the roster: how crucial will all of that experience be to your team’s success this year? I think it will be very crucial from a leadership standpoint. Coach Nagy talks a lot about enjoying the moment because it is our last go-round as seniors.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Our goal is definitely to get back to the NCAA tourney and make some noise once we get there. I think we have the guys to do it so it will just come down to whether we want it badly enough. We will have a target on our back all year so we just have to come ready to play every night.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Wright State G Mark Hughes