November 24, 1998
You are off to a 3-0 start, but you obviously are still working on a few things. It's a lot easier to work on mistakes after a win, isn't it?
"That's true, but when you say we're working on a few things you are being very generous. There are a lot of things we've got to work on. But the kids are working on those things and we are making improvement. We know we are not a team that is going to come out and blow people away. We'd like that to be the case but we are not at that stage yet. As long as we continue to work hard and stick with our game plan, we'll be okay."
What problems does Oral Roberts present to your team?
"It will be a tough basketball game. We know they will be our toughest opponent to this point. Their program is on the rise right now and it will be a tough test for us on the road. If we could go up there and get a win, it would say some good things about this team and where we are."
What has pleased you through the first three games?
"That we are 3-0. Really, as coaches, we tend to look at things we are not doing right. But to be 3-0 we've done some things right. I have to give credit to the kids for coming in and listening most of the time. We've executed pretty good at times. But if I had to put my finger on one thing it would have to be our defense for the most part. It's been pretty steady and we've done a fairly good job of contesting shots. We just need to have better execution for 40 minutes, both offensively and defensively. And of course, we've got to eliminate those turnovers. That's one area we are struggling. A lot of times they are unforced turnovers."
It seems that offensively you want to get the ball inside...
"That's what we'd like to do, establish our inside game. We'd like to play inside-out. Our inside guys are turning it over a little too much right now, but we are going to continue to pound it inside and try to establish that game. If we can do that, it should free up our perimeter players to get some open looks, plus it would give us a chance to get some teams in foul trouble."
Has your schedule worked out to your liking?
"I think so. We wanted to gain some confidence and one way you do that is beat some people. But we know the challenge will get a lot tougher from here on out. We need to continue to step up. But to this point, the schedule has been one we can surely build on."
Shanne Jones has pretty much established himself as your go-to player...
"We were hoping that he would be our go-to guy. But we've told him that teams are going to start trying to take him out of the game and we've got to have other players step up."