November 26, 1997
You have two games coming up this weekend against Bethune-Cookman and Southern. Your thoughts on those games?
"Both of these teams come in with athletes. One of the things we wanted to do was challenge ourselves against really athletic teams early in terms of the type of style that they play. They're going to run, they're going to shoot and if we're going to be a good team, one of the things we're going have to do is play against that style. The press forces teams to play that way. You can't play against the press and not play up-tempo. You have no choice. You've got to go and attack it. So, if that's the case, you better be able to defense that attack. We're looking forward to both of these games. In our evaluation of our basketball team, we've done some really good things, but we have to continue to get better and better and better and then we'll be fine."
You play Alabama next Wednesday. Are you concerned that your young team might overlook these two games since that game looms on the horizon?
"Sure. That can be the downfall of your team. We have told these guys from the beginning that one of the things we wanted to do was play against ourselves. We wanted to challenge ourselves everytime out. It didn't matter the opponent. What did matter was what kind of effort were we giving as an individual and as a team within our own structure. I hope that we don't overlook anyone because we'll get beat. It's that simple. It doesn't get any simpler than that. If don't play well against teams...look at upsets all over the country, you can go down the list. Western Michigan goes to Michigan and wins. You can look at Colorado a close game they had with Southeastern Missouri State. Alabama goes to Minnesota and beats Minnesota. Utah State went to Minnesota and won. I'm sure Minnesota thought they had two games in their belt early and that were going to be able to knock those guys off. You have to prepared and I've said all along that big upsets occur at your home site because you are not prepared for the level."
How would you evaluate your season so far?
"We've gotten play off the bench that has been good play for us. Steve Houston has been outstanding in terms of his effort at the point and the two guard. Michael Schmidt is a freshman who has given us excellent play. Larry Thompson has been totally consistent. We've had guys every game, whether its been exhibition or regular season who have stepped up. Calvin Davis in the first game plays 18 to 20 minutes and gets 17 points. In the second game he gets 23 minutes and gets 22 points. Brian (Barone) has given us a good lift off the bench in terms of steadying influence. Shanne Jones had an outstanding first game. We're spreading around the impact of the players and I like that. Different guys have stepped up at different times to help us win. I think our style is pretty good right now. I like our consistency. We're still giving up too many easy baskets and we're not matching up on the glass the way we have to. We're going to be in some outnumbered situations. So, from an effort standpoint you got to do some more. That's what our theme for the year is "to do more" and in this style there's no question you have to do that."
What are you thoughts on your freshman, Michael Schmidt?
"I know the media is concerned that I have not let him speak with the news media yet, it has nothing to do with me not allowing it because our lockerooms are open and media has always been able to speak to our guys. But we're going to bring him along just like we brought Jerald Brown along, and Michael will be speaking with everyone shortly. I want to get him through the first semester, and then we'll do what we need to do. The thing that jumps out about him is two things: (A) He does things that freshmen normally don't do. He's had steals, almost breaking the school record in one game. He's an outstanding passer. He's a great passer. Most of the time, freshmen aren't great passers. What we've seen with him in games and practices is a tremendous committment to being good. He probably demands too much of himself. He's a perfectionist on the court, and when you're a perfectionist you have to be very careful. Some things are out of your control, and he's young. He's going to make some mistakes. He's going to do some things and say some things he probably shouldn't say, but it's not out of malicious nature at all. It's only out of a belief that he wants to be the best he can be."
Jerald Brown has struggled a little offensively in the early going.
"He's not shooting the ball very well right now. I think he's simply rushing it. He's an outstanding shooter. In all four of the games, including the exhibition games, he has made big three's. But he's doing a lot more. He's averaging more than nine rebounds. He didn't get that many in five games last year. He's doing a much better job in those other areas. He led us in assists one game. What Jerald is finding out is that if you are going to be a complete player, you've got to have a tremendous focus in everything that you do. He's guarding people, he's not waving at people. All of this usually ends up hurting a scorer's mentality because they are doing other things. He sees the value of those other things are that's real important."
Coming into the year, your point guards were a concern. How do you evaluate their play?
"To be honest, I was never that concerned with our point guards. I thought Steve, Brian and T.J., who is injured right now, would be fine. I didn't think we would have a problem. All three give us a little different look. The problem was going to be juggling time. We've moved Steven over to play some two guard as well as a lot of one. I thought that particular position would be solid. I had confidence in those guys. Now, it was an unknown quantity a little bit because of Brian's injury and Steven not being able to play second semester last year. But it really wasn't a concern of mine. We have to do a better job on the glass. I think that will manifest itself as we continue to play. Our guards, Brian and Steven specifically, have to get the David Edwards mentality of rebounding. David never checked anybody off in his life in the three years we had him but he got every loose rebound. If there was a loose rebound, he got it. That's what those guys have to come up with."
How about Steve Houston, who played only 13 games last year before the academic suspension?
"When we recruited him, we knew he was an outstanding player. What we didn't know was what a competitor he is. He is the quintessential competitor in everything we do. He wants to win. Period. We liked that about him and that's infectious. He's infected the rest of the team with that attitude. The fact that he didn't play in many games last year is certainly going to have an effect down the road. The more games he gets under his belt the more comfortable he will be. When a kid sits out, he doesn't lose being a good player. You lose the feel for the game. You can't do anything about that except go out and play the game. He's doing a good job of that."