Season Preview: HoopsHD interviews Georgia State assistant coach Ray McCallum

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Jon Teitel

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We continue our 2016-17 season preview interview series with Georgia State assistant coach Ray McCallum.  As a player at Ball State in the 1980s he graduated as the all-time leading scorer in MAC history.  If you want the inside scoop on the Big 10 then he is your man, having been an assistant at Wisconsin/Michigan/Indiana.  He also has 300 wins on his resume as head coach at Ball State/Houston/Detroit.  This offseason he switched school and moved farther down the bench after becoming an assistant to Panthers head coach Ron Hunter.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Coach McCallum about his son’s blossoming NBA career and his team’s summer trip to the Dominican Republic. 

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You won a pair of Indiana state titles at Muncie Central High School and were named MVP of the 1979 state title game after scoring 18 PTS: was it extra-special to beat your archrival Anderson to win the title? It was very special because they were in our conference and had beaten us earlier in the year. We were the defending state champions and the 2 schools were only 19 miles apart so it was a huge rivalry. We also played in 2 of the best venues in the state of Indiana. The Fieldhouse (where I played) seated about 5,000 and the Anderson Wigwam seated about 7,000. It was a big deal and kind of like bragging rights for not only the state but within both communities as well.

At Ball State you were named MAC ROY/POY/conference tourney MVP: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? The individual awards were great but coming in off a state championship was the ultimate for me. The thing that I am proudest of is having my number retired at Ball State, but the thing that is most important to me was winning the MAC tournament title and going to the NCAA tournament. To be a part of the school’s 1st NCAA tournament team in 13 years and representing Ball State was my biggest highlight.

You also won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the best senior in the nation under 6’: did you consider your size to be an advantage or disadvantage on the court? I was one of those guys who was under 6’ tall but I never looked at myself as being under 6’: I think I played bigger and was quicker then my opponents. I could jump and was very athletic, which was an advantage for me. I knew heading into the NBA Draft that it would be used against me, but when I stepped onto the floor I felt as though I was as big as anybody.

You graduated as the all-time leading scorer in MAC history with 2109 PTS: what is the secret to being a great scorer? I developed into a great scorer: I was a small player but I used my fundamentals. I was a sound player who could use both hands as well as my speed/quickness/jumping ability. I also felt that I could shoot with range, which helped a lot. I was a good shooter who defenses had to respect. I worked hard on my shooting and shot 50 FG% for my career. I think that my consistency helped as well: in 116 career games I think I scored in double figures 109 times. I credit that to fundamentals and the work ethic that I had.

As head coach at Ball State in January of 2000 you had back-to-back triple-OT losses on the road: how were you able to bounce back from that to win each of your 3 conference tourney games that March by 3 PTS or less? I talk a lot about eliminating mistakes and then learning from them. We used those losses as learning experiences and talked about them a lot: the key was eliminating mistakes. In the Mid-American Conference and other schools at the mid-major level there is a very fine line between winning and losing. We really used those games to our advantage later in the year.

Your son Ray Jr. played for you at Detroit before making it to the NBA: what was it like to coach him, and how proud are you of all of his success? I was very proud that he came to play for me. The 3 best years I have had as a coach were when I got to coach him. I am really happy that he made the decision to come and play for me. With that said, there was a lot of pressure/expectations because he was coming in as a McDonald’s All-American and being recruited by everyone. I have a lot of respect for him because it is not only hard on the coach but it is also hard on the kid when all eyes are on you. When you turn down premier programs in the country to go to a place that had not been to the tournament in 13 years, it is a lot to ask for a young man who will obviously take the credit or the blame. It was a special time and he is now battling as he goes into his 4th year in the NBA. In my mind he made it even if he did not put in the years he has had so far.

You currently work as an assistant to Coach Ron Hunter: how have you been able to make the transition time and again between head coach and assistant coach? In my 32 years as a coach I have been a head coach for 19 years and an assistant coach for 13 years. I thought that I was a good assistant because I always understood that my agenda was whatever the head coach wanted us to get done. I think that is the job of an assistant: you have to understand that and then do what is best for the program. What better way to get back to being an assistant than working for a great friend in Coach Hunter. I am happy to be a part of his staff and to work with him.

You have several transfers on your roster (from Alabama/Indiana/Murray State/Samford/St. Bonaventure): what is the key to having everyone come together and bond as a team? I think that the character of the guys is the most important. We have the high-major guys who have transferred and come here because of Coach Hunter and his program. To be a part of the program you have to meet a certain criteria. Those young men have met his criteria: high character levels and good hearts. They just want an opportunity and I think that each of them will make the most of it.

Speaking of bonding, what did your team get out of its trip to the Dominican Republic in August? It was truly a bonding trip: there was no basketball involved. It was a mission of service and I think that it helped each coach/player learn about each other and the art of giving back and helping each other. We just became a closer staff/team because it was about emotion/teamwork/spirit and all of the other important things in life.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? As coaches we always prepare for victory. We are going to prepare for Game #1 just as hard as we prepare for the Sun Belt tournament: with a plan to win. As coaches you want your guys to be continually growing/maturing as the team gets better. For us it is all about the end of the season so we want to be playing our best basketball in February/March.

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Season Preview: HoopsHD interviews Iowa SO PF Ahmad Wagner

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Jon Teitel

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We continue our 2016-17 season preview interview series with Iowa SO PF Ahmad Wagner.  He only scored 83 PTS as a freshman but that was not a reflection of his scoring ability: rather, it is hard to get your hands on the ball when 4 of your team’s top-5 scorers are seniors.  Fortunately his high school career was about a lot more than scoring baskets in America: he played basketball in Italy for 1 year, he helped lead his high school football team to the state title game as a wide receiver, and he even ran the anchor leg on the 4×100 relay team that placed fourth at the state track meet.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Ahmad about the rollercoaster that was conference play and winning an NCAA tourney game at the buzzer.

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In high school you were a 1st-team all-state WR and ran the anchor leg on the 4×100 relay team that placed 4th at the state track meet: which sport are you best at, and which sport do you enjoy the most? I played a lot of sports growing up but I enjoy basketball the most.

You play for Coach Fran McCaffery: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? I have only played for him 1 year so far but I have already learned a lot and keep learning more and more each day. I appreciate him a lot.

You played in 32 games as a freshman: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? Coach told me what I needed to do to come in and play right away: rebound, defend, and be a team player. I kept improving and kept getting more minutes, which allowed me to have a positive impact on the game.

Last year your team started 10-1 in conference play before losing 5 of your final 7 regular season games: what was the biggest reason for the turnaround? I cannot pinpoint 1 thing but we have recently talked about trying to get the fire back. At the start of the year we were the hunter but by the end of the year we were the hunted.

In the 2016 Big 10 tourney you played 6 minutes in a 2-PT loss to Illinois: how on earth did the Illini overcome an 11-PT deficit in the final 3 minutes? They played hard and were a good team. The fact is that we lost that 1, so it is on us.

Take me through the 2016 NCAA tourney:
You scored 2 PTS and Adam Woodbury made a put-back at the buzzer in a 2-PT OT win over Temple: what was your reaction like after you saw the ball go through the hoop? I was ecstatic. If you watch the video you can see our whole team jumping for joy! It was amazing and we were all happy for Adam, who is a great guy.

You scored 2 PTS in a loss to eventual champion Villanova: what did you learn from that loss that you think can help you this year? We need to start every game hard and come out ready to attack. I think we started that game drowsy/methodical and fell into a hole that we could not dig ourselves out of.

You shot 68 FG%: what is the key to being a great shooter? I try to take efficient shots that I know I am capable of making. I stuck to what I was good at and did not take a lot of risky shots.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Seton Hall/Virginia/Notre Dame/Iowa State: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? I cannot pick 1 game in particular but each opponent will be difficult. Coach likes to schedule high-quality competition during the non-conference schedule to help prepare us for conference play.

4 of your top-5 scorers last year were seniors (Jarrod Uthoff/Anthony Clemmons/Mike Gesell/Adam Woodbury): how are you going to try to replace all of that offense? I think a lot of people will step up for us on both ends of the floor. We have some tremendous freshmen so I think that we will surprise a lot of people.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Our team goal is always to win the Big 10 title and make the tourney. I will try to become more versatile, guard more positions on the court, carry more of the offensive load, and help the team as much as possible.

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Conference Preview: Northeast

Posted on October 16, 2016 by Chad

CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews

NORTHEAST

Of the ten teams in the Northeast Conference, only three finished with winning overall records in the 2015-16 season.  Wagner was 23-11 overall, though the Seahawks faltered in the NEC Tournament and wound up in the NIT, where they did pick up a first round upset win over St. Bonaventure.  Fairleigh Dickinson posted an 18-15 record and captured the conference’s automatic bid, falling in the First Four to fellow 16-seed Florida Gulf Coast.  The only other team to finish at or better than .500 was Long Island University, whose 16-15 record did not put them in any postseason events.

This season, the same three teams are expected to be the top contenders to win the conference title.  LIU returns a star player in Jerome Frink, Wagner brings back three starters from last year’s regular season champions and FDU has four starters back from their NCAA team.  In the end, these three teams may be in a class above everyone else in the league, and it would probably be a shock if anyone else ended up winning the title.  That being said, the best candidates to sneak into the conversation could be Bryant or Sacred Heart, despite neither team having had a very successful 2015-16 campaign.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Wagner – With three starters back and key reserve Romone Saunders ready to take on an even bigger role, the only question for the Seahawks may be developing enough bench depth.

2. Fairleigh Dickinson – Most of last year’s conference tournament championship team is back, led by perimeter players Darian Anderson and Earl Potts, Jr.  The Knights will be looking to capture both the regular season and conference tournament titles this time around.

3. Long Island University – The Blackbirds may have one of the better guards in the conference in Jerome Frink.  As long as he can get enough help, and the team can make up for the late offseason loss of Martin Hermannsson, they should be right there at the end of the season.

4. Bryant – Despite struggling to only 8 wins last year, head coach Tim O’Shea returns four solid starters and could have his Bulldogs back in the upper division.

5. Sacred Heart – Cane Broome’s 23.1 points per game is gone, along with two other double-digit scorers.  All is not lost, however, as guard Quincy McKnight is back and De’von Barnett is healthy after missing last season.

6. Central Connecticut – The Blue Devils return four starters for a new head coach with Connecticut ties in Donyell Marshall.  The team only won four games last year, however, so expectations should not be too high.

7. Mount St. Mary’s – The Mountaineers will be among the NEC’s best defensive teams again, and will be fun to watch as they are led by 5-5 Junior Robinson.  They probably do not have enough pieces to seriously contend.

8. St. Francis (Brooklyn) – Guard Yunus Hopkinson is the Terriers’ top returning scorer and a legitimate three-point threat.  He probably does not have enough other pieces around him for his team to fight for anything other than a top 8 finish and berth into the conference tournament.

9. Robert Morris – Rodney Pryor’s 18 points per game are gone from a team that only averaged 65 points per game last season.  This could be another very long year.

10. St. Francis (Pennsylvania) – The Red Flash lost their top three players in the offseason, though having Isaiah Blackmon back after suffering an ACL tear should help.  There just are not enough other pieces here to make any noise this season.

 

Note: I will be taking a one week break and the next preview (Ohio Valley) will be posted on Monday, October 24.  Keep an eye on the site for all our other great content until then!

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Season Preview: HoopsHD interviews Iowa State SR SG Naz Mitrou-Long

Posted on October 15, 2016 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews

We continue our 2016-17 season preview interview series with Iowa State SR SG Naz Mitrou-Long…or more accurately, Nazareth Jersey Mitrou-Long.  He spent his sophomore year showing the nation how lethal his 3-PT stroke is: 8-11 in a season-opening win against UNC-Wilmington, a 30-footer at the buzzer against Oklahoma State, 4-6 in the Big 12 tourney title game against Baylor, and a trio of threes in the final 6 minutes of a win over North Carolina in the NCAA tourney.  His chances of becoming the most prolific long-range shooter in Cyclone history were halted last season after 8 games when he took a medical redshirt after off-season hip surgery, but if he can remain healthy this season then he has a legitimate shot to break the school record.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Naz about growing up in Canada and coming back from an injury.

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You were born/raised in Canada: how did you 1st get into basketball? There was a basketball net inside this boxing gym I used to go to. During breaks in boxing I would gravitate toward the hoop, and later I would play outside on the playground.

2 of your AAU teammates were Cory Joseph/Tristan Thompson: how good were they back in the day, and how exciting was it to see them face off in the Eastern Conference Finals last spring? They were the best! I was a little younger than them but I remember going to watch my older friends play on our varsity team and see them get it done. It was pretty cool to watch the Eastern Conference Finals: the entire country of Canada was tuned in. They definitely deserve it because they set the bar so high.

You received scholarship offers from many schools including Creighton/Dayton/Miami: what made you choose the Cyclones? Ultimately it was the fan base. Coach Fred Hoiberg was great when he came up to recruit me. I did not plan to commit during my campus visit but I just came here and fell in love with it. Once I heard that the practice facility was open 24 hours, I told Coach that it was a done deal. It is a different type of place here: I can free my mind and get to work.

In the 2013 season opener you scored a career-high 26 PTS (including 8-11 3PM) in 26 minutes in a win over UNC-Wilmington: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? It was definitely a situation where I felt like I could throw a rock into the ocean. I did not play very much as a freshman so I wanted to prove that I could play in the best conference in the country: my teammates did a great job of finding me that night.

In February 2014 against Oklahoma State you made your only 3-PT shot of the game at the end of the 2nd OT en route to a 1-PT 3-OT win, and 1 month later you scored 14 PTS including a 30-footer at the end of regulation en route to a 4-PT OT win: do Cowboy fans just start crying whenever you show up to Gallagher-Iba Arena?! Something like that! I work basketball camps at Iowa State and 1 kid mentioned that he thinks about those shots even today.

Last year you played 8 games before deciding to sit out the rest of the season due to continuing pain from a pair of hip surgeries the previous offseason: did you think that you would receive a medical redshirt, and how is your health at the moment? I honestly was unsure about getting a redshirt: you never know until you know but it was a weight off my shoulders. My health is the best that it has ever been. I know it is hard to believe but I have more mobility now than I have ever had in my life.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Miami/Stanford/Cincinnati/Iowa/Vanderbilt: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? All of them will be big tests. Vandy on the road is a big deal and Miami is at a neutral site. Iowa is always a hostile environment: it does not make sense to me why road games are so tough but they just are.

You play for Coach Steve Prohm: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He wants to build relationships and preaches about doing things the right way. He challenges us every single day and brings the same type of energy when it is time to get onto the court.

You are a part of a loaded backcourt that includes Monte Morris/Matt Thomas/Deonte Burton: do you feel that you have 1 of the best/deepest crops of guards in the nation? I definitely do. I am sure that other players feel the same way about their own backcourt, but we are excited to show the country our mix of talent/experience.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I want to finish the season with a “W” in the NCAA tourney and there is only 1 team who can do that. I want to win with my guys and finish my career on the right note.

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Conference Preview: Missouri Valley

Posted on October 15, 2016 by Chad

CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews

MISSOURI VALLEY

35 of the 36 at-large bids to last year’s NCAA Tournament came from the top eight conferences.  The only “other” team to get voted in by the Committee was the Missouri Valley’s Wichita State Shockers, who received an 11 seed and a trip to the First Four after Northern Iowa captured the automatic bid (and an 11 seed as well).  After the NIT failed to come calling for any other MVC teams, the rest of the league members passed on appearances in other postseason events, leaving only the two NCAA teams to represent the Valley after Selection Sunday had passed.  Both teams did fare well as Wichita State knocked off Vanderbilt in the First Four and upset Arizona in the Round of 64 before losing to Miami.  Northern Iowa also pulled off an upset, eliminating Texas before falling to Texas A&M.  In all, it was another solid season for the Valley, proving once again that this league plays a very high level of basketball.

Wichita State said goodbye to senior leaders Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet after the season, meaning that the gap between them and the rest of the conference is almost certain to close.  Northern Iowa may take a step or two back this season with three of their top players gone.  Two other teams, Illinois State and Missouri State, may be the schools primed to fill in the gaps as both have solid weapons returning.  A potential surprise team could be the Bradley Braves, who return all five starters and still have one of the youngest rotations in the nation.  Evansville and Southern Illinois both won well over 20 games last year but got hit very hard by offseason losses and will need to begin rebuilding.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Illinois State – The Redbirds return three of their top four players, guard Paris Lee and forwards MiKyle McIntosh and Deontae Hawkins.  The talent and experience are here to capture the regular season title.

2. Wichita State – It may be tough for the Shockers to win the league again without Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet.  The good news is that there are no significant seniors and there are several players that look ready to step up into starring roles, including Markis McDuffie, former Kansas transfer Conner Frankamp and a now healthy Landry Shamet.

3. Missouri State – Returnees Dequon Miller and Chris Kendrix both averaged over 12 points per game last season.  In addition, having Austin Ruder back healthy will make the Bears dangerous, especially if they can develop some depth down low.

4. Northern Iowa – Star Wes Washpun is one of three key players gone from last year’s team, meaning that Jeremy Morgan will have to be the leader of a squad that features 11 players that are either newcomers or redshirted last year.

5. Bradley – The Braves took a lot of lumps last season, but they were starting four freshmen and a sophomore.  All five are now a year older, and this dark horse pick could learn from last year’s experiences and surprise this time out.

6. Loyola-Chicago – Head coach Porter Moser has brought in a solid group of newcomers, but the team may still be a year away from making any serious noise.

7. Indiana State – Second leading scorer Brenton Scott does return, but top scorer Devonte Brown and third best Khristian Smith are both gone.  The Sycamores will need to find more offense to help Scott if they want to finish anywhere near the top of the league.

8. Drake – Four starters do return from last year, but that team lost 24 games.  They should at least improve on that, especially with guard Reed Timmer leading the way.

9. Southern Illinois – The Salukis lost their best backcourt player (Anthony Beane) and their best frontcourt player (Bola Olaniyan) from last year’s roster.  A serious lack of any size remaining down low could spell serious trouble for this team.

10. Evansville – The Aces will likely take a major step backwards now that both D.J. Balentine and Egidijus Mockevicius are both gone. Seniors Jaylon Brown and Blake Simmons are the top two returning players, but not much should be expected this season.

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Conference Preview: MEAC

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Chad

CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews

MEAC

Just two years ago, South Carolina State was in jeopardy of folding.  Not the basketball team.  Not the athletic department.  The entire university was threatened with closure.  Thankfully, things worked out for the school, and this year things may be working out very good for the men’s hoops team.  After winning 19 games last season and earning a berth into the CIT, the Bulldogs appear, on paper at least, to be the team to beat in the MEAC.  Their toughest challenge may in fact come from a team that has not be an annual contender in this league.  Howard returns all five starters, despite losing 20 games last season, and may just be the top challenger.  This is mostly because they feature the player that led the nation in scoring last year, James Daniel (27.1 points per game).

One team that likely will not be contending this season is the two-time defending conference tournament champion Hampton.  The Pirates lost four starters off of last season’s team and are in rebuild mode this year.  Norfolk State, the only other postseason participant from last season with a CIT bid, may struggle to contend as well with their top three scorers gone.  Delaware State and North Carolina A&T may be the next best teams after South Carolina State and Howard, but neither team appears to have the pieces to be serious contenders.  In fact, if Howard is not able to improve as predicted, South Carolina State has a chance to simply run away with this league.

Predicted Order of Finish

1. South Carolina State – The top two players return from last season led by guard Eric Eaves who averaged 17.6 points per game.  All signs point to the Bulldogs being the team to beat in this year’s MEAC.

2. Howard – James Daniel led the nation in scoring last year and could do the same this season.  He leads a senior dominated lineup that could challenge for the league title, assuming that he can get enough help from the rest of his teammates.

3. Delaware State – All five starters return led by MEAC Rookie of the Year Devin Morgan. The Hornets should be much better than last season, when they lost 25 games.

4. North Carolina A&T – Junior guard Sam Hunt is the only returning starter, but has a chance to be a big-time scorer for the Aggies. If enough other pieces develop around him, his team could definitely contend for the conference’s upper division.

5. Norfolk State – The top three scorers may be gone, but head coach Robert Jones has done a great job finding a way to keep the Spartans near the top of the league standings every year.

6. North Carolina Central – Dante Holmes and Patrick Cole led the team in scoring last season, though even with both of them the Eagles only went 7-9 in conference regular season play.  Holmes is gone, and it may be tough for Cole to lead the team to a better mark than last year’s.

7. Bethune-Cookman – Point guard Jordan Potts may be the best player at his position in the entire conference.  Unfortunately, it does not look like he has enough other pieces around him to challenge this year.

8. Coppin State – The Eagles lost 22 games last season, and then lost both their leading scorer and their starting point guard.  Even if they can make up for Christian Keene’s 14.6 points per game, they don’t appear to have anyone ready to take over at the point.

9. Hampton – With four starters gone from a team that won the last two MEAC tournaments, this looks like a rebuilding year for head coach Ed Joyner.

10. Florida A&M – Head coach Byron Samuels inherited a complete mess two years ago.  Although the Rattlers are certainly not contenders yet, things are slowly getting better for them, and a last place finish can definitely be avoided.

11. Maryland-Eastern Shore – Bakari Copeland is the only returning double-digit scorer as head coach Bobby Collins tries to bounce back from a disappointing second season in Princess Anne, Maryland.

12. Savannah State* – Senior guard Troyce Manassa will try to lead the way, but with only one 6-7 player and no one taller than that on the roster, this will likely be a very tough season for the Tigers.

13. Morgan State – With four starters all gone from a team that lost 22 times last year, things are not looking very good for head coach Todd Bozeman’s team.

* Savannah State is ineligible for postseason play, including the MEAC Tournament, due to their APR score.

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