Season preview: Illinois State SR SG DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Jon Teitel

For all of Jon’s other Season Preview Interviews – CLICK HERE

You just know that a guy has to be cool when his initials are “DAP”!  DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell began his college career at Eastern Oklahoma State College, where he was a 2014 NJCAA D-1 All-America Honorable Mention who scored more than 20 PPG.  After transferring to Illinois State, he was named 2015 MVC Newcomer of the Year and lead the team in RPG despite breaking his hand in the middle of the season.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with DeVaughn about shocking the Shockers and having to face both Maryland and Kentucky during a 7-day stretch next month.

dap

You began your college career at Eastern Oklahoma State College, where you averaged 20.9 PPG and were a 2014 NJCAA D-1 Honorable Mention All-American: what is your secret for being a great scorer, and what made you choose Illinois State? I just felt that Illinois State would give me a great opportunity since I only had 2 years of eligibility left. I work out a lot on my own and practice different ways of putting the ball in the basket.

You play for Coach Dan Muller: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He is very open with all of his players: he knows how to talk to each and every one of us.

Last November you had 15 PTS/10 REB in your Redbird debut against Utah State, and you finished the season by being named MVC Newcomer of the Year: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? I cannot complain about that at all. I missed 7 games but was able to come back and finish the season strong.

You missed 7 games in the middle of the season due to a broken right hand: how bad was it, and how is your health at the moment? It was bad because I had to sit out, but I am 100% right now and cannot wait to get the season started!

In the 2015 MVC tourney you scored 10 PTS in a 3-PT win over Wichita State after getting swept by them during the regular season: how hard is it to beat a team 3 times in a season, and did you think Fred VanVleet’s shot at the buzzer was going in? That was a big-time game and it took a lot for us to beat a great team like that. His shot looked good but after it missed we all celebrated.

In the 2015 NIT you scored 13 PTS in a 1-PT loss to Old Dominion: how close did you come to winning the game, and what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? We have to understand that if you beat a team once you cannot take them lightly the 2nd time around. We just missed some FTs at the end.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against San Diego State/Maryland/Kentucky: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? I feel the same about all of them. Once we finish our 1st game, the next game becomes the most important game on our schedule.

You lost 2 of your top-3 scorers from last year (Daishon Knight/Reggie Lynch): how are you going to try to replace all of that offense? We have a lot of great freshmen and transfers, and a lot of our veteran guys have improved from last year, so I think we can do a lot of great things.

You are 1 of 3 seniors on the roster: how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this year? I would not say it is pressure because it is something that I love to do, so it is going to be fun.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I do not have a certain number of wins in mind: if we just take it game by game then we should be fine.

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Season preview: Duke JR SG Matt Jones

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Jon Teitel

For Jon’s other Season Preview Interviews – CLICK HERE

Duke lost 3 freshmen to the 1st round of the NBA draft last June (Tyus Jones/Jahlil Okafor/Justise Winslow), but Coach K has brought in 3 McDonald’s All-Americans to help replace them (Brandon Ingram/Chase Jeter/Luke Kennard).  1 of the 3 captains who will be providing leadership to the new guys is Matt Jones, who knows all about being a McDonald’s All-American.  Not only did he receive the award himself in 2013, his sister Jordan earned her own such recognition in 2012.  After only starting 1 of his 1st 26 games as a sophomore, he started each of his final 13 games to great effect: he was named to the NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Team and ended up beating Wisconsin in the title game.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Matt about playing for Coach K and trying to win another title. 

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You and your older sister Jordan became the 3rd brother-sister duo to both be named McDonald’s All-Americans: who is the best athlete in the family? It depends what time period you are looking at. When we were growing up I would have said that my sister was the best athlete…but now I think I have her beat!

You play for Coach K: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you ever learned from him? What makes him great is that he understands this era of basketball and he understands players. He knows how to position guys to be successful. 1 thing I have learned from him is to have a sense of urgency in whatever you do, whether it is practice, a game, or something that happens off the court. Whatever you are doing, do it to the best of your ability.

In the 2015 Elite 8 you had 16 PTS (4-7 3PM)/3 STL in a win over Gonzaga in Houston: how big a deal was it to be named to the South Region all-tournament team while playing just a few hours away from your home in DeSoto, TX? It was a great feeling. That was the closest I have played to home since I arrived at Duke. To be able to go back relatively close to home and play the way I did was a special moment and 1 that I will always remember.

You had 3 freshmen selected in the 1st round of the NBA draft (Tyus/Jahlil/Justise): how much pressure is there on you to help be a leader after losing so much talent from last year’s team? My role is to bring energy every day. I know that we have a lot of young guys, so being in my 3rd year and having been through the gauntlet I have to be that emotional leader and set the tone for what Coach K expects from the team.

Coach K has brought in another trio of fabulous freshmen this year (Brandon/Chase/Luke): how have they looked so far? It has been a challenge with 7 newcomers but all our young guys are willing to learn, which is 1 of their best collective attributes. The older guys see that and are willing to help them because ultimately we want them to succeed.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Kentucky/VCU/Indiana/Utah: which of these game do you feel will present your biggest test? Our non-conference schedule really prepares us for our league. The ACC is definitely a gauntlet so we try to schedule a lot of great teams during non-conference play. For younger guys it is an opportunity to get that high-level experience we need to have when we play in hostile environments.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Our team goal is to get better every day and try to win another national championship. Everyone who comes to Duke has the goal of winning a title. My personal goal is just to become a better all-around player. I want to come in every day, work to get better, and become a leader on this team.

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Season preview: Virginia SO SF Isaiah Wilkins

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Jon Teitel

For Jon’s other Season Preview Interviews – CLICK HERE

From 1990-2010 Virginia only had 1 season with 22+ wins.  Coach Tony Bennett has won 22+ games in each of his past 4 seasons, including 30 in each of the past 2 years.  With great power comes great “recruitability”, which has helped the Cavaliers get 4 players from the Atlanta metropolitan area including 2014 Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year Isaiah Wilkins, the stepson of NBA Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins.  Isaiah did not score a ton of points last year but was 3rd on the team in blocks and shot a stupendous 66.7 3P%.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Isaiah about beginning his college career with 19 straight wins and losing 2 of his top-4 scorers from last year.

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You play for Coach Tony Bennett: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you ever learned from him? We were brought here to win games, but he is invested in how we act off the court and how we treat people. He helps us grow as men.

You are 1 of 4 guys on the roster who grew up within an hour of Atlanta, GA: how did you all end up in Charlottesville?! Great recruiting! I have known Justice Bartley my entire life and went to high school with Malcolm Brogdon.

You played in 28 games as a freshman: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I just tried to blow up some ball screens and knock down open shots, doing whatever I could to stay on the floor.

You won your 1st 19 games before losing to Duke last January: how does a team change during such a long winning streak, and what was your reaction like in the locker room after the loss? Our approach was just to stay hungry and never get complacent: we took it 1 game at a time. It was my very 1st loss in college so it was tough but we just put it behind us and learned from it.

In the 2015 NCAA tourney you had a 6-PT loss to Michigan State: what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? Most of the Spartans were upperclassmen so it was a great learning experience for me about what to expect going forward.

You shot 66.7 3P% last year: what is your secret for making shots from behind the arc? I remember every single 1 of them.  The 1st 1 was with the shot clock running down so I figured that I would just throw it up. The 2nd 1 was special because it was against Georgia Tech.  The 3rd 1 should not have counted because my foot was on the line.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Ohio State/West Virgina/Villanova/Cal: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? I am unsure: right now we are just focused on our own team. The strength of our schedule will be very good in helping us prepare for ACC play: we have a lot of top-25 teams in there.

You lost 2 of your top-4 scorers from last year (Justin Anderson/Darion Atkins): how are you going to try to replace all of that offense? As guys move on we just have to stay true defensively. I think we have a couple of guys who will have a breakout year, which is something to look forward to.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Coach has a theory of never comparing yourself to the previous year but I think we can make a push for good things. I am invested in our team and have made a big jump since last season so I am excited to see what we can do.

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Season preview: Richmond JR PF TJ Cline

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Jon Teitel

For Jon’s other Season Preview Interviews – CLICK HERE

There are plenty of college basketball players whose fathers were college stars or even NBA stars, but TJ Cline is 1 of the very few whose mother (Nancy Lieberman) is a Hall of Famer.  TJ began his college career at Niagara and was good enough to make the MAAC All-Rookie team as a freshman.  However, he decided to transfer to Richmond in 2013, and after redshirting for a year it appears to have been a good move.  He was a double-digit scorer as a sophomore, shot over 50% from the field, and was 1 of the best 3-PT shooters on the team despite standing 6’9″.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with TJ about his legendary genetics and the importance of having a home-court advantage.

tj

In the 2013 NIT as a player at Niagara you scored 11 PTS in a loss to Maryland: could you have ever imagined that just 2 years later some experts are projecting the Terps as the top team in the nation? They had a lot of talent 2 years ago but their roster has changed a lot since then. They have a great coach in Mark Turgeon, and with guys like Melo Trimble/Jake Layman they are a real powerhouse.

Despite making the MAAC All-Rookie team you decided to transfer: why did you want to leave, and what made you choose Richmond? Niagara gave me a scholarship when I did not have a lot of offers, but after Coach Joe Mihalich left for Hofstra he took 2 of our best players and I felt that it would be a rebuilding situation. When I visited Richmond I fell in love with the campus and the coaches, so it was a perfect fit for me.

You play for Coach Chris Mooney: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He does not just pick the recruits with the highest rating: he wants guys who fit into his system. He is a really good game planner: our scouting is unlike anything that I have ever seen before. I used to rush into my offensive moves because I was not the fastest guy, but he has taught me to play at my own pace.

Last January you scored a career-high 23 PTS (8-12 FG) in a win over Davidson: 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 something like that, but more that my teammates found me in good situations. When you have a passer who can find you when you are open and draws a lot of attention himself, it makes life easy.

In the 2015 NIT quarterfinal you scored 17 PTS (3-9 3PM) in a 2-PT loss to Miami: how close did you come to winning the game, and what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? We came out really strong and were excited to have a chance to make it to Madison Square Garden. We were up by about 15 PTS early so we learned to never take our foot off the pedal. We have been stressing this year that we cannot take any basket for granted.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Wake Forest/West Virginia/Florida/Texas Tech: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? Those are all great teams but we feel that we are capable of beating anyone on our schedule. There is a 4-5 game stretch at the start of the year that will teach us what we are made of.

Last year you set a school record with 16 home wins: how much of a home-court advantage do you have while playing at the Robins Center? I think that we have the best fans in the nation, and as the season progressed it seemed like people got even more excited to come to our games. It makes it such a great environment for us: Miami coach Jim Larranaga said that when his team played here it felt like Cameron Indoor Stadium!

You are 1 of 4 returning starters: how crucial do you think all of that experience will be to your team’s success this year? It is huge. We lost a 2000-PT scorer in Kendall Anthony, but ShawnDre’ Jones will step into his role and we have some other great players coming back. We will not take any game for granted after losing so many close ones on the road, which will help us this year.

Your mother Nancy Lieberman is 1 of the best women’s players ever and your father Tim Cline played for the Washington Generals: did they ever try to talk you into or out of playing basketball, and do you credit at least some of your success to genetics? They never talked me into or out of it: they really let me do whatever I wanted to do.  My goal since I was young was to try to make it to the NBA, and my desire is strong because they never forced me into it. I think I got a lot of my basketball savvy from my parents, who were both incredible athletes.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? We have 1 goal: winning the A-10 and making it to the NCAA tourney. We were in the NIT last year and made a heck of a run, but this year everyone is buying into “NCAA or bust”.

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Season preview: Texas Southern SR PF Jose Rodriguez

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Jon Teitel

For Jon’s other Season Preview Interviews – CLICK HERE

Jose Rodriguez made the big move from the Bronx to the Lone Star State to go to college, and this season he will be 1 of the lone stars on the Texas Southern team.  The Tigers only have 8 players on their roster, so they will need Jose to lead by example as 1 of only 2 seniors who will suit up this year.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Jose about missing an entire season with a knee injury and having 1 of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation.

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You grew up in the Bronx: what made you choose Texas Southern? I had a strong father-figure who told me about Coach Davis, and when I came here on my visit and met him he was great. He was not selling me on a dream: he kept it real and was honest with me.

You play for Coach Mike Davis: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? I knew that he would push me to my limits to be the best person in every way both on and off the court. He coaches us about life in addition to basketball. He treats the whole team like grown men and keeps his door open so that we can always come and talk to him. I have learned a lot from this man: many people doubt us but he teaches us to never give up and how we should carry ourselves.

In January 2014 you scored 6 PTS in a 4-PT 3-OT win over Prairie View, and in January 2015 you did not play in a 1-PT 3-OT win over Mississippi Valley State: what is the key to winning triple-overtime games in January?! The key is to keep pushing it for all 55 minutes. Right now we are conditioning and doing 2 hours of straight work. When you have a good core of players and they all stick together, that is how you win games.

In the 2014 NCAA tourney you scored 14 PTS in a loss to Cal Poly: what is the biggest difference between the regular season and the postseason? There is a lot more pressure when it is win or go home: when you are down by 3 PTS you are tempted to shoot a 3 to try and tie it up. Coach Davis coaches us as hard as he can so that we feel like we have to win. However, I am a 5th year senior so I do not feel a lot of pressure.

You missed all of last year with a knee injury: how bad was it, and how is your health at the moment? I had a 3rd-degree MCL tear so I redshirted and kept it in a cast for 12 weeks. I thought about having surgery but just opted for therapy and took it slowly. I learned about the game more than anything else while sitting out: I would talk to Coach during practice and I feel that I have matured both on and off the court. I have no pain at the moment so I feel that it was a blessing.

Your team made the 2015 NCAA tourney before losing to Arizona: what do you think your team learned from that game that can help them this year? We were down big in the 1st half but played them even in the 2nd half, so we cannot put ourselves in a hole early due to all of the pressure. We learned to trust the system and keep fighting: even when you are down by 20 PTS the game is not over.

Your non-conference schedule is stacked with road games against Creighton/Clemson/Washington State/Mississippi State/Syracuse/Baylor: how are you preparing for such a gauntlet? Coach Davis does that every year. We prepare to play the best of the best and we know it will be a war but we will just go with the game plan and battle it out. We will try to win some of those games and build a name for ourselves entering conference play.

You are 1 of 2 seniors on the roster: how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this year? I just want to help my teammates if they get down or make some mistakes because nobody is perfect. I feel that I am mentally prepared and I have been ready since last spring to get this season going. We have worked out really hard this summer and have some new players who transferred in so we are a more mature group this year. Coach puts some pressure on me to be a leader and depends on me a lot, so I just try to stay focused on getting better every day for the final run.

Each of the 8 players on your roster grew up in a different state (including only 1 from Texas): how have you all been able to come together to form a single team? We are still in the process of forming the group we want to be but are learning how to get along with each other and how to understand the system. We are not perfect right now but should be good by November.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? The goal every year is to win a conference championship. I would like to win a couple of games in the NCAA tourney for Texas reasons: I believe that the Final 4 is in Houston this year!

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Season preview: Albany SR PG Evan Singletary

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Jon Teitel

For all of Jon’s other Season Preview Interviews – CLICK HERE

Some transfer players take a long time to adjust to their new school, but Evan Singletary is more of an “instant impact” kind of guy.  After transferring to Albany last year he started all 33 games at PG, was a finalist for the Riley Wallace Award (which goes to the nation’s top D-1 transfer), and was named to the America East All-Conference 1st-Team.  He was also among the best players in the conference in FT% and 3PM.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Evan about his daughter Aubree, and we hope that he had a great 21st birthday last weekend!

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You have a daughter named Aubree: what impact has she had on your life either on or off the court? She has a big impact on my life: once I had her, everything that I now do is for her. I have to make smart decisions to give her a good future.

You play for Coach Will Brown: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? When I 1st got here he told me to not be afraid to step on anyone’s toes and just play my game. We have very good communication: once he told me to stop looking towards him on every possession and to just play I became more comfortable in the system.

Last year you started all 33 games at PG and ranked among the conference leaders in PPG/APG: how do you balance your scoring with your passing? A PG needs to score while also getting his teammates involved, and that is my job: I do not like to be selfish.

You were also #4 in the conference with 80.9 FT% and led the team with 61 3PM: what is the key to being a good shooter? I shoot the same way every time and put my legs into it.

You finished the year by being named to the America East All-Conference 1st-Team: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It meant a lot to me. Ray Sanders and I worked out in the preseason every day and we told each other that we wanted to be named All-Conference and win a title. My teammates also had a lot to do with that.

In the 2015 America East tourney title game you scored 11 PTS and Peter Hooley made a 3-PT shot from the top of the key with 1.6 seconds left in a 1-PT win over Stony Brook: did you think the shot was going in, and what was the reaction like after the buzzer sounded? It was crazy. I was watching from the bench after fouling out but the shot looked good when it left his hand. I jumped into my teammate’s arms and then ran onto the court with everyone else.

In the 2015 NCAA tourney you scored 13 PTS in a 9-PT loss to Oklahoma: what did you learn from that loss that you think can help you this year? We learned a lot. I learned that you have to play hard no matter what stage you are on or who your opponent is. It came down to offensive rebounding and the Soooners were a little tougher than us.

Your leading scorer from last year (Sam Rowley) has graduated: how much pressure is there on you as a senior to be 1 of the leaders this year? I do not think there is any pressure. Sam was a big piece of our team last year and his loss will hurt us, but we still have Peter Hooley. I need to be more vocal and be more of a leader myself.

Your very 1st game of the year is in Lexington: how are you preparing to face the Wildcats? We are going out and competing every day in practice. It will be tough but we will just listen to our coaches and try to win the game.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Our team goals are to definitely win another ring, get to the NCAA tourney, and then win a couple of games. I do not have any individual goals at the moment.

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