Season preview: Georgia State SR SF Markus Crider

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Jon Teitel

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Georgia State got to try on Cinderella’s slipper last March after their 1-PT upset of #3-seed Baylor in the NCAA tourney, but it will not be easy to secure another invitation to the dance after losing their starting backcourt of RJ Hunter/Ryan Harrow.  1 man who showed that he is capable of shining in the spotlight is Markus Crider, who almost averaged a double-double while being named to the Sun Belt All-tourney team last year and then scored 10 PTS in each of the Panthers’ 2 NCAA tourney games.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Markus about being 1 of the best shooters in the Sun Belt and how he plans to celebrate his “Jordan” birthday next month.

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In 2011 you played in the Ohio-Kentucky All-Star game: which of your teammates impressed you the most (Trey Burke/Travis Trice/Aaron White/other)? I cannot say that any 1 guy particularly impressed me more than any other. I grew up playing with those guys for years so I knew what they are capable of every day. I will say that my team impressed me because we were undersized compared to the Kentucky team. We started slowly but came together and found a way to win the game and represent for Ohio.

You play for Coach Ron Hunter: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you ever learned from him? His will to win: he puts us in the best possible position to come out with a victory. The most important thing that I have learned from him has nothing to do with basketball: he taught me about Samaritan’s Feet (which helps provide shoes to children in poverty) and helping others.

In the 2014 Sun Belt tourney title game you scored 4 PTS in a 1-PT OT loss to LA-Lafayette: where does that rank among the most devastating losses of your career? I do not consider it a devastating loss per se, but it was a crucial loss to me. It not only fueled me but also caused our entire team to work harder.

In the 2015 Sun Belt tourney title game you scored 8 PTS in a 38-36 win over Georgia Southern (who shot 22.9 FG%): did your team just play amazing defense, or were the Eagles ice-cold, or both? Both teams failed to shoot the ball well. You can say that we played better defense because we ended up getting stops when we needed to, along with rebounds and extra opportunities when they were needed, which turned into a victory.

In the 2015 NCAA tourney you scored 10 PTS in an 8-PT loss to Xavier: what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? The loss did not teach me much but rather showed me that in this game you truly need size. I played that game injured while needing surgery, and my team played their hearts out until the final second.

You lost your top-2 scorers from last year (RJ Hunter/Ryan Harrow): how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this year? Losing our top-2 scorers does not mean too much: we know that there will just be some new leading scorers this season. There is more leadership on my shoulders but I do not feel as if there is any more pressure than last year: I lead by example at all times, both on and off the court.

You have several good transfer players on your roster (including Willie Clayton/Isaiah Williams/Kevin Ware): how have you been able to integrate guys who enter your program after beginning their college careers elsewhere? Getting guys integrated to our system is not the easiest process, but it becomes easier over time. I remember how hard it was for me to learn our system, so as a senior I can help those guys leave their past accomplishments in the past and focus on our team’s goals.

Your 60 FG% was #2 in the conference last year: what is the key to being a great shooter? Being efficient is something that I have always done since I first started playing basketball. Being a good shooter is simply a matter of taking good shots and finding ways to get easy looks: that is how to shoot a high percentage.

You turn 23 next month: what are you doing for the big day? I will not do too much for my “Jordan or LeBron” year (due to their jersey #) because I will be focusing on getting in tip-top shape to start the season. I may decide to have some fried food or red meat for my birthday since I do not usually eat those things, but after that it will be back to preparing to win another championship!

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? My individual goals are to earn All-Sun Belt 1st-Team honors and be named conference POY. For the team, my expectations are to win the conference outright to earn a 3rd-straight regular season title, go back to the NCAA tourney, and win more than 1 game.

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Season preview: Dayton JR PG Scoochie Smith

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Jon Teitel

There are a lot of great nicknames in college basketball, but “Scoochie” Smith has to be 1 of the best.  He finished his high school career with a double-double in the Jordan Brand Regional All-Star Game, and began his college career at Dayton by helping them reach 2 straight NCAA tourneys.  After leading the team in assists during the regular season last year, he played 117 of a possible 120 minutes in the NCAA tourney.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Scoochie about the Flyers’ SEC-heavy non-conference schedule and the story behind his nifty nickname.

scoochie

Your nickname is “Scoochie”: who gave it to you, and how do you like it? My grandfather gave it to me. I did not think it would still be around now that I am grown up, but I like it.

You grew up in the Bronx: what made you choose Dayton? I wanted the opportunity to come in a freshman and get a lot of playing time. The campus is great and it is very family-oriented. It is a good mix of academics and athletics.

You play for Coach Archie Miller: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? I like his drive and his will to win. We are kind of on the same page at being successful at whatever we do.

You played in all 37 games as a freshman and had the best assist-to-turnover ratio on the team: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I just prepared myself for success and worked hard at practice.

In the 2014 NCAA tourney you had 2 STL and Vee Sanford made a layup with 3.8 seconds left in a 1-PT win over your in-state rival Ohio State: did you think Aaron Craft’s 10-footer at the buzzer was going in, and what was the reaction like in the locker room afterward? I knew that Vee was going to win the game because Coach drew up the play for him: I have seen him make that shot all the time. I was not too nervous about Aaron’s shot but it was close to going in. It was a great win for the Flyer faithful and boosted our confidence for a deep tourney run that year.

Last year you led the team in AST: what is the key to being a good PG? I just try to lead the team and improve at everything I do on a daily basis: I try to be a pro every day.

In the 2015 NCAA tourney you scored 16 PTS in a 6-PT loss to Oklahoma: what did you learn from that loss that you think can help you this year? We cannot have scoring breakdowns like we did last year if we want to win games.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Alabama/Vandy/Arkansas: when did you decide to join the SEC, and which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test?! It is always fun to play against the SEC but it is also tough. It will be good preparation for conference play but you just have to be ready because you can lose on any given night.

Your leading scorer from last year (Jordan Sibert) graduated but your other 4 starters all return: how do you hope to replace Jordan’s offense, and how crucial will all of that experience be to your team’s success? We have a lot of guys who know how to win and a bunch of newcomers who are willing to learn, which makes things a lot easier. Everyone will just step up when their number is called, so I do not think that scoring will be a problem.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I have very high goals for myself and we want to win as many games as possible and try to win a conference championship. I want to help my teammates improve every day and be a good leader.

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Season preview: Dayton JR SF Kendall Pollard

Posted on September 6, 2015 by Jon Teitel

If you want to know how to go far in the postseason, Kendall Pollard is a good person to ask.  As a high school player at Simeon Career Academy, he teamed with Jabari Parker to win 3 straight Illinois 4A state titles.  As a freshman at Dayton he helped his team reach the Elite 8, then followed that up last March by scoring a team-high 17 PTS in a 1-PT win over Boise State in the 1st 4.  The Flyers return 4 of their starters from last year, so do not bet against them returning to the NCAA tourney for the 3rd year in a row.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Kendall about being the most improved player in the conference and having a 7′ wingspan. 

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You grew up in Chicago where you won a trio of 4A state titles at Simeon Career Academy as a teammate of Jabari Parker: could you tell even back then that Jabari was going to become a star, and what made you choose Dayton? I knew that Jabari was going to be a star from the time I played against him back in the 7th grade: we teamed up at Simeon and won a bunch of championships. I picked Dayton because it gave me the best opportunity to win and it was not that far away from home.

You are 6’6” but have a wingspan of nearly 7’: how much of an advantage is your length on the court? It is an advantage because it allows me to get in passing lanes and block shots.

You play for Coach Archie Miller: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He knows what he is talking about and has the blueprint for success, so all we have to do is listen. He taught me to handle my business and control only what I can control.

You played in all 37 games as a freshman and shot almost 55 FG%: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I just found my niche on the team as someone who would just play hard every day. I did whatever the team needed me to do.

In the 2014 NCAA tourney you had 2 STL and Vee Sanford made a layup with 3.8 seconds left in a 1-PT win over your in-state rival Ohio State: did you think Aaron Craft’s 10-footer at the buzzer was going in, and what was the reaction like in the locker room afterward? I really did think Craft’s shot was going in: I was surprised that he was able to get that close to the rim. I was amazed when Vee hit the game-winning shot and I was just begging everyone to get back on defense. It was crazy in the locker room because it was our school’s 1st tourney win in a long time. Everyone thought the Buckeyes were the best team in the state…but we took them down.

Last year you were named the A-10 Most Improved Player: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It means a lot to me. I was striving to make the All-Conference team, but winning the award I got helped make up for it. I am still trying to improve and want to win it again next year.

In the 2015 NCAA tourney you scored 13 PTS in a 6-PT loss to Oklahoma: what did you learn from that loss that you think can help you this year? We need to come out of the gate playing hard. We fell behind very early in that game and once reality set in that our season was going to end, we all finally played hard at the end of the game.

Your non-conference schedule includes games against Alabama/Vandy/Arkansas: when did you decide to join the SEC, and which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test?! I have not really watched any of those teams, but I know they each lost some good players from last year.

Your leading scorer from last year (Jordan Sibert) graduated but you are 1 of 4 returning starters: how do you hope to replace Jordan’s offense, and how crucial will all of that experience be to your team’s success? I think our experience will be very crucial because we know what it takes to get to the tourney. I do not know if any 1 player can replace Jordan, but we will try to come together and do it as a team.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I just want to win games and win championships. On a team level, we are trying to accomplish some things that have not been done at Dayton at a long time. On an individual level, I would like to be named 1st-team All-Conference.

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Season preview: Davidson SR PG Brian Sullivan

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Jon Teitel

Brian Sullivan is such a good long-range shooter that he has already put up the best 3-PT stats in not 1 but TWO different conferences…and is not even playing in either of those conferences anymore!  As a freshman at Miami (Ohio) his 45 3P% was tops in the MAC, and after transferring to Davidson he led the SoCon with 38 3P%.  If he can get hot this year to lead the A-10 then we might just have to start inventing new conferences for him to dominate.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Brian about trying to make it back to the NCAA tourney and whether he will end up going into the “family business”.

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You began your career at Miami (Ohio): why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose Davidson? I really enjoyed my time at Miami, but it was not a great fit for me in a lot of respects. Davidson is about a tenth of the size, and after Miami’s coaching change I wanted a chance to play for a program where guys come back and are still involved. I could not be more pleased with my decision to come here.

You play for Coach Bob McKillop: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He is the best coach that I have ever had, and I think he is the best coach in America. He does not let little things get away from him because he knows they can end up becoming big things. He is very detail-oriented and really cares for us. He is like a father-figure who gives us a sense of autonomy by hearing us out and trusting us. Our code here is “TCC”: Trust/Care/Commitment.

In December of 2013 you scored a career-high 33 PTS (7-14 3PM) in 44 minutes in an OT loss at North Carolina: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? That was the case to a certain extent and I was in a good rhythm, but I actually feel that I missed a few shots that I should have made. My teammates were getting me good looks and I was fortunate to knock a lot of them down, but I can still recall a couple of missed threes that I should have made.

You led the MAC with 45 3P% in 2012 and led the SoCon with 38 3P% in 2014: what is your secret for making shots from behind the arc? I have 3 keys: repetition, form, and confidence. I try to get as many reps as I can with the best form, and have a full faith and belief that my shot will go in.

Last January you scored 17 PTS including a 3-PT shot at the end of regulation en route to a 7-PT OT win at George Mason: did you think it was going in, and where does that rank among the most clutch shots of your career? The second I left my hand I knew it was right on-line, so I felt pretty good about it. It is probably my most clutch shot during college: it gave us a lot of momentum that we carried with us while Jack Gibbs was hurt.

In the 2015 NCAA tourney you scored 8 PTS in a loss to Iowa: what did you learn from that loss that you think can help you this year? It was a tremendous learning experience for a lot of our players and should help us a lot this year. We got out-played in a lot of different ways so we have used that as fuel to help us get better. We had a little taste of it last year and now we want to return and win a game: we are not satisfied with just getting to the tourney.

Your school made the switch from the SoCon to the A-10 last year: do you feel much more comfortable now that you have 1 year in the conference under your belt? There is a certain level of comfort that we did not have last year because it was all so new. Now we know our opponents and what to expect.  However, this year we will be more of the hunted than the hunter, which will be more of a challenge.

Your leading scorer from last year (Tyler Kalinoski) graduated, but you return each of the other top-12 scorers on the team: how crucial will all of that experience be to your team’s success this year? We have a great thing going for us. We play a pretty detailed system: the more you play in it, the more it becomes 2nd-nature. We get more confident each time we step on the court and are bringing in some talented freshmen as well.

Your brother Kevin is an assistant basketball coach at Kenyon and your brother Chris is an assistant basketball coach at Dennison: do you guys ever talk about anything other than basketball, and do you think that you will follow their footsteps and eventually end up on the sideline? We occasionally talk about stuff outside of basketball, but they are a great resource for me. You can imagine that they have a lot of questions for me because I play for Coach McKillop: sometimes it feels as if I am the 1 teaching them instead of vice-versa! I credit them for my love of basketball, and it has strengthened our relationship incredibly. I have a hard time seeing myself away from the game: the plan is to keep playing after I graduate.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? We have pretty high expectations inside the locker room. We do not feel the pressure of outside expectations but we are excited about our roster and the opportunities ahead of us.

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Season preview: Lafayette JR PG Nick Lindner

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Jon Teitel

Although he has only played 2 years at Lafayette, PG Nick Lindner has already accomplished more than most 4-year players.  As a freshman he played in all 31 games, was named to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team, and set a school record for the most assists ever by a freshman.  As a sophomore he started all 31 games, led the conference in FT% and assist/turnover ratio, and was named Patriot League tourney MVP while leading the Leopards to their 1st conference title since 2000.  HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Nick about how to make FTs and how to overcome the loss of several top scorers from last year. 

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What made you choose Lafayette? I really bonded well with the guys on the team and it just felt like the right fit for me.

You play for Coach Fran O’Hanlon: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He was a great player himself and really understands the game, so it is nice to share knowledge with someone who has been there and done that. He teaches us that the team is bigger than any individual.

In 2014 you were named to the Patriot League All-Rookie team after becoming the 1st Lafayette freshman to start at PG in a season opener since 1997: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? My coaches and teammates (especially our senior leaders) showed confidence in me, which gave me confidence in myself.

Last February you scored a career-high 30 PTS (4-7 3PM) in a loss to Colgate: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? Not really: it was just what the team needed that day. We were struggling to score so I tried to be a little more aggressive.

You finished the year by leading the conference with 85 FT%: what is your secret for making FTs? I take a deep breath every time before I shoot a FT.

In the 2015 conference tourney you were named MVP after averaging 23.7 PPG (9-15 3PM) in 3 games: how big a deal was it to win the school’s 1st conference title since 2000, and how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? It was absolutely huge: that is why we practice and it made the hard work worth it. It meant a lot to all of us. When my shots are falling my teammates are good at giving me the ball in good situations.

In the 2015 NCAA tourney you scored 3 PTS in a loss to #1-seed Villanova: what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? We learned that we need to try to control ourselves in big-time games and slow ourselves down during pressure situations.

You are a government and law major: how much importance do you place on academics? Academics are very important, especially at a school like Lafayette. Our whole team is wired that way and we try to be the best at everything we do.

You lost 3 of your top-4 scorers from last season (Dan Trist/Seth Hinrichs/Joey Ptasinski): how much pressure is there on you to be a leader this year despite the fact that you are only a junior? I would not call it “pressure”. Our coach preaches that anyone from a freshman to a senior can be a leader: it is just about how you act on and off the court. I have tried to set a good example the past 2 years and will try again this year.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? The goal is to win another Patriot League championship so we will work as hard as we can and put forth our best effort.

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Season preview: UAB assistant coach Turner Battle

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Jon Teitel

It is all about cause and effect: UAB hired former Buffalo basketball star Turner Battle to be 1 of their assistant coaches last year, and the result was the Blazers’ 1st-ever Conference USA tourney title, a trip to the NCAA tourney, and a stunning 1-PT upset of #3-seed Iowa State. Not only is he a good coach, but his resume as a player is outstanding: 2005 MAC POY, 3-time member of the All-MAC Academic team, a pro career in Europe, and induction into his alma mater’s Hall of Fame in 2010. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Coach Battle about turning down the ACC and coming THIS close to making the NCAA tourney as a senior.

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After you signed with Buffalo college basketball recruiting expert Bob Gibbons said you were the “steal of the millennium” because you could have played for an ACC school: did you get recruited by any ACC schools, and why did you decide to go to Buffalo? I got an offer from Virginia Tech and was also recruited by Clemson. I chose Buffalo because there were a lot of ups and downs for me during the recruiting process but they stuck with me the whole time.

You were a 3-time Academic All-MAC performer: how were you able to balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? Academics are something that my parents instilled in me from a young age. Basketball was a privilege but academics came first. I had high expectations in college and knew that basketball would not always be there for me.

At Buffalo you lost 23 games during your sophomore year but won a school-record 23 games during your senior year: how were you able to turn it around in only 2 years, and what was the reaction like from the fans? We were 1 of the youngest teams in the country during my sophomore year and never really came together as a team. After growing closer as a unit in the years after that we were able to turn the program around. Once we started to win more games the fans started to support us more and more.

What are your memories of the 2005 MAC tourney title game, the 1st such appearance in school history (you lost on a last second tip-in)? It was a game of runs. We came out strong and were up by about 20 PTS, but they came back in the 2nd half. It was kind of like slow motion at the end: I saw the guy tip it in but there was nothing I could do to stop him. We left it all out on the floor but came up just short.

What are your memories of the 2005 NIT (you scored a team-high 12 PTS in a 5-PT loss to St. Joe’s)? We did not play our best basketball as a team and I did not play well in general. It was an ugly game featuring a pair of defensive-minded teams. That game was tough: it was my last game and you never want to go out with a loss.

In 2005 you were named an All-American, and became the 1st Buffalo player to ever be named conference POY: what did it mean to you to win such outstanding individual honors? It meant a lot because it was something that I had always dreamed of. Coach Reggie Witherspoon pretty much built up the program himself. Being named POY was amazing but being named All-American was kind of surreal. I always strived to be a team-1st person, but the awards showed that my hard work paid off.

After graduation you played professionally in Estonia/France/Sweden, as well as in the D-League and ABA: what did you learn from these experiences, and how did they compare to college basketball? I learned a lot about life. When you are in a country where they do not speak English, you are kind of on your own. It was a transition to becoming a man. To be able to play for money was also a dream of mine, even though it did not last that long.

In 2007 you were hired as an assistant coach at Buffalo, replacing the guy who originally recruited you there (Chris Hawkins): was it weird to replace Chris, and what did you learn from him about how to be a good recruiter? I learned a lot from Chris both on and off the court. Both he and Coach Witherspoon did a good job of recruiting me, and even today I can call up Chris if I need his advice. They told me that I needed to be myself and to be honest, which is how I try to act as a coach.

You previously worked as an assistant for Coach Will Wade at Chattanooga: how did you enjoy being an assistant coach, and what do you hope to do in the future? I enjoy it a lot: it is what I want to do. It is a tough profession to get into but even tougher to stick around. I am like a sponge so I try to soak everything in, and hope to become a head coach someday. Coach Witherspoon at Buffalo also made it a very easy transition for me.

When people look back on your career, how do you want to be remembered the most? Just as a hard-working guy who was both team-oriented and family-oriented. I hated to lose so I played my hardest every single night.

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