Interviews

Sean Miller: Xavier Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:32:47 -0500

HTML clipboard

College Basketball's Best Coaches

CollegeHoops.net is lucky to have access to some of the best coaches in college basketball. As part of our preseason interview series, we thought it would be appropriate to ask these basketball minds about the best things that their team and college basketball has to offer.

Sean Miller: Xavier

We continue our month long Q&A Series with 5th year coach Sean Miller, who has led Xavier to three-straight NCAA Tournaments. Coach Miller was kind enough to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net as he gears up for the new season:

CollegeHoops.net) Who is the biggest leader on this year's squad?

Sean Miller) The leadership of our seniors has been a big key to our success in recent years and that is important again this season. We consider B.J. Raymond, C.J. Anderson and Derrick Brown to be our seniors. Although Brown is just a junior, this is his fourth year due to his one red-shirt season.

CHN) Tie score, with just a few seconds left … who will be your go-to guy in those situations?

SM) Again, we hope that one or more of our seniors take the lead in this area. B.J. Raymond hit several big shots for us last season as a junior and has hit many more throughout his career. It could be a number of different players.

CHN) What will be the strengths of this year's team?

SM) The experience and depth that we should have in the front court.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

SM) We enjoyed tremendous success last season, winning a second straight Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship and reaching the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. Our goal every year is to get better as the year progresses and be at our best in March.

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview

Seth Greenberg: Virginia Tech Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:50:30 -0500

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Seth Greenberg: Virginia Tech

We continue our month long Q&A Series with Hokies coach Seth Greenberg, two-time ACC Coach of the Year award winner. Coach Greenberg was kind enough to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net as he gears up for the new season:

CollegeHoops.net) Who is the biggest leader on this year's squad?

Seth Greenberg) Malcolm Delaney has emerged as an outstanding young leader. His ability to hold others accountable is unique for such a young player. He has a tremendous work ethic, he has the respect of his teammates and has a toughness about him. I would say that, although he is only a sophomore, he has the potential to be a really effective leader.

CHN) What will be the strengths of this year's team?

SG) I think we have three players who have the ability to put up big numbers on any given night (Malcolm Delaney, A.D. Vassallo and Jeff Allen). That, complimented with our big, rangy wing players, Terrell Bell and Dorenzo Hudson, gives us a number of different options on the perimeter.

CHN) Any potential weak spots?

SG) Our depth up front and our ability to find somebody to compliment Jeff Allen in the front court, as well as finding one, lock-down defender is a concern. We had the luxury over the past four years to have Deron Washington, who could legitimately guard a point guard to a power forward.

CHN) Tie score, with just a few seconds left … who will be your go-to guy in those situations?

SG) We’ll find out. Hopefully we will have more than one go-to guy. If you only have one go-to guy, you find yourself becoming easier to defend. If you have a number of different guys you can go to, then you will find a way to score at the end of most games. A lot of that depends on match-ups.

CHN) What's been the major change you've made in your coaching style in recent seasons?

SG) I haven’t made much of a change. I think this league really forces you to stay in the present and not get to ahead of yourself and not get too caught up in adversity. You have to play your game and learn from it and move on. If you stay too much in the past, this league will suffocate you. We are who we are. We have a playing style that fits my personality and we recruit to that still. I am very comfortable in that.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

SG) If you’re in this league, then you are planning on playing in the NCAA Tournament. And if you are playing in the NCAA Tournament, you’re playing to have a chance to compete and play in the Final Four and our goal is no different than anyone else in our conference. To make the tournament, advance in the tournament and play for a national championship.

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview

Tim Floyd: USC Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:12:33 -0500

College Basketball's Best Coaches
CollegeHoops.net is lucky to have access to some of the best coaches in college basketball. As part of our preseason interview series, we thought it would be appropriate to ask these basketball minds about the best things that their team and college basketball has to offer.

Tim Floyd: USC
We continue our month long Q&A Series with long-time coach Tim Floyd, now the leader of an up-and-coming USC program. Coach Floyd was kind enough to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net as he gears up for the new season:

CollegeHoops.net) What will be the biggest strength of this year's Trojans?

Tim Floyd) The strength of this year's team is the NCAA experienced players we have returning* and the ability to score, post and rebound.

*Ed: Daniel Hackett, Dwight Lewis, and Taj Gibson are all juniors who have contributed for the past three seasons.

CHN) Any potential weaknesses?

TF) Our weakness could end up being depth on the wing if Marcus Johnson* (back) and Marcus Simmons (foot) do not recover from their injuries as expected.

*Ed: Johnson is a transfer from UCONN who becomes eligible after the first month.

CHN) Who will be the biggest leaders on this year's squad?

TF) Daniel Hackett is the best leader on our team. He brings effort every time he steps on the floor and is not afraid to be verbal. He comes early and stays late and can play the game.

CHN) Tie score, with just a few seconds left ... who will be your go-to guy in those situations?

TF) I don't know if we'll have a "go to" person. It will all depend on the situation and match-up because we have several players who can score..

CHN) Have you made any major changes to your coaching style in recent years?

TF) The most important change to my coaching style in recent seasons is that I've learned to be more patient. I also don't call a play every time they come down the court and allow the players to play more.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

TF) The best case scenario for us this season would be to get a high seed in the NCAA Tournament and maybe stay for more than a cup of coffee when we get there.

CHN) Thanks coach. We also strongly suggest our readers contribute to the Ryan Francis Endowed Scholarship:

USC is hoping to raise the final funding this year to complete the endowment of the Ryan Francis Endowed Scholarship. In 2006, USC Basketball and the Trojan Family suffered the tragic loss of freshman point guard Ryan Francis. To ensure that the memory of this great Trojan lives on, USC established the Ryan Francis Endowed Scholarship. Since Ryan would have graduated in May of 2009, the goal this year is to achieve the final funding needed for this project. USC is planning to have his mother, Paulette, out to USC for Senior Night.

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview

UCLA's Ben Howland: Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:59:00 -0400

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Ben Howland: UCLA

We continue our month long Q&A Series with coach Ben Howland, who has led the Bruins to a remarkable three straight Final Fours. Coach Howland was kind enough to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net as he gears up for the new season:

CollegeHoops.net) Who will be the biggest leaders on this year's squad?

Ben Howland) I don't know if there is just one, but this year's team will be led by the three seniors, Darren Collison*, Josh Shipp and Alfred Aboya. All three are good verbal leaders and demonstrate a great work ethic with intensity.

*Editor: Collison is a First Team CHN All-American

CHN) Tie score, with just a few seconds left … who will be your go-to guy in those situations?

BH) It will be either Darren Collison or Josh Shipp. They are both returning starters and have played in a lot of big games and three Final Fours.

CHN) What will be the best strength of this year's team?

BH) It's hard to say because we haven't started yet. It's a little premature to say that we have a strength, but off the top of my head I'd probably say depth at the guard position.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

BH) That we win every single game we play.

CHN) Are there any off-the-court programs you urge UCLA fans to get involved with?

BH) I support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and locally the Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. In fact, the men's basketball team and the Bruin Athletic Department have joined forces with UCLA basketball alumnus John Vallely, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, for the inaugural "Dribble For The Cure" event on November 2nd.

More info about Drbble for the Cure:

The fund-raising event will take place on the UCLA campus at historic Pauley Pavilion on Sunday, Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m.-Noon. For many years, John Vallely and his family have been on the front line in the battle against cancer. A starting guard on John Wooden's UCLA 1969 and 1970 NCAA Championship teams, Vallely is a cancer-survivor and the Director of Scientific Affairs for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. In 1991, John and Karen Vallely lost their daughter Erin to cancer at the age of 12. More info can be found here.

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview

Frank Martin: Kansas State Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:26:29 -0400

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Frank Martin: Kansas State

We continue this month long Q&A Series with coach Frank Martin, who led the Wildcats to the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament in just his first season. Coach Martin was kind enough to take time out of his busy preseason schedule to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net:

CollegeHoops.net) What will be the best strength of this year's team?

Frank Martin) Guard play. Jacob Pullen, who has tremendous confidence and experience coming off his freshman season, he's a heck of a player, and Denis Clemente, who's a young man who started for two seasons in the ACC.* He's been in our system, and understands what we want. When you have two experienced guards, it gives you a chance. To that, we add a Fred Brown, who saw minutes at certain times last year, and was productive offensively, and he has grown tremendously because of his experiences last year. Then, you have a fourth year guy in Buchi Awaji, who's an older person who has been through the ropes. You have to be excited
about the depth and experience at guard, and to that you add the experience of our front line. Ron Anderson, Luis Colon, Dominique Sutton, Darren Kent, are guys who have lined up and played in big games for Kansas State.

*Editor: Clemente played at Miami.

CollegeHoops.net) Any weak spots that worry you?

FM) Defensive rebounding. Last year, there were times when we were dependent on Mike Beasley rebounding on the defensive side of the floor. We are not going to have a guy rebound it like Mike did. Collectively, we have to a better job rebounding on the defensive side of the floor.

CHN) Tie score, with just a few seconds left … who will be your go-to guy in those situations?

FM) You have to put the ball in one of your two guards. Jacob Pullen or Denis Clemente. You have to put the ball in their hands and have the confidence since both of them are proven scores in the Division-I level and have the confidence that they will make the right decision for us.

CHN) Who will be the biggest leaders on this year's squad?

FM) Darren Kent and Ron Anderson. We talked to Darren his entire sophomore year about what an incredible feeling it is to be in the NCAA tournament. He learned in his sophomore year that committing yourself to doing something gives you an opportunity. He took it a step forward last year, in helping us finishing third (in the Big XII), and making it to the NCAA tournament. But our guys were not happy being in the tournament for two rounds. They want to go forward in that tournament. I think that fire, and that understanding, how his continued growth and his commitment to work, to winning has shown the results on the other end for him. I think that allowed him to really spread his wings, and lead our team. Ron is a guy that gained valuable experience playing in the Big XII last year, as a seventeen year old freshman. Now he's in a lot better shape, and he's made an unbelievable commitment to making himself better, and he demands that everybody works as hard as he does. He takes pride in working.

CHN) What's the best change you've made in your coaching style in recent seasons?

FM) I am a lot more patient than when I was younger. We spend a lot of hours rehearsing and I get aggravated when we rehearse, and then we go out on the stage and don't do the things we rehearse. But I am a lot more patient in practice and I think fatherhood has helped me a lot in that understanding. When my own kids make mistakes I am not going to turn my back on them. I am going to discipline, teach and hug them and make them understand that they have to move forward. I think fatherhood has helped me move forward with patience and coaching.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

FM) Compete for the Big 12 title. That is what we aspire to be. We fought our rear ends off two years ago and were in first place after 10 games last year. We are not going to rest here until we give ourselves a chance to compete.

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview

Larry Eustachy: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:37:38 -0400

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Larry Eustachy: Southern Miss

We continue this month long Q&A Series with Golden Each coach Larry Eustachy, who has won over 300 games at the D1 level. Coach Eustachy was kind enough to take time out of his busy preseason schedule to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net:

CollegeHoops.net) What will be the best strength of this year's team?

Larry Eustachy) Our back court has experience, and with the amount of time we spend on it, I would like to think defending and rebounding.

CHN) Who will be the biggest leaders on this year's squad?

LE) We have a lot of candidates, but we need a couple of guys to be more consistent in that role.

CHN) Tie score, with just a few seconds left … who will be your go-to guy in those situations?

LE) Jeremy Wise is the obvious selection, but I would feel very confident with Courtney Beasley. [Editor: Wise scored 18.7 ppg last year, while the senior Beasley added 10.5 ppg]

CHN) What's the best change you've made in your coaching style in recent seasons?

LE) I’m not sure what coaching style it is, but I like to think we hold our players accountable and play the game the right way.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

LE) To be playing our best quality of basketball to date in the five seasons I’ve been here.

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview

Mack McCarthy: East Carolina Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:27:15 -0400

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Mack McCarthy: East Carolina

We continue this month long Q&A Series with long-time coach Mack Mccarthy, who has had successful stints at Tennessee-Chattanooga, VCU, and now East Carolina. Coach McCarthy was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net:

CollegeHoops.net) What will be the best strength of this year's team?

Mack McCarthy) We are fairly athletic, but compared to previous teams we have more offensive weapons. We’ve had some players who could shoot, but now we also have more who can simply score.

CHN) Who is the biggest leader on this year's squad?

MM) Sam Hinnant is the most respected player on our team. While he is not the vocal leader necessarily, he leads by example and the fact that he has been a starter and solid performer for four years.

CHN) What's the best change you've made in your coaching style in recent seasons?

MM) Your coaching style is an ever evolving process. We have really simplified our playbook, and therefore we spend more time on fundamentals—especially shooting.

CHN) What's the best arena you guys visit during the year?

MM) Memphis is awesome. While it’s a pro arena, those folks know how to do the entire deal. They have it all from the band, to the cheerleaders, to the dance team, to the video and audio presentations, to the tradition, to the enthusiastic and knowledgeable fans.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

MM) I’m not sure what we’re capable of as it relates to wins and losses. I know we have to stay healthy, and improve our defense and rebounding if we are going to play well consistently.

CHN) Any last words to Pirates fans? Why should they come out and support the team?

MM) We have a small, intimate arena that can be as loud as any in the country when it’s packed. Our student population is very vocal and very supportive of our basketball team. We try to incorporate activities for them all season, which includes a closed practice session for members of our student body and alumni hosted by Charles Barkley. We have developed an entire new pregame audio and video presentation, which I think will get everybody fired up prior to tip-off. We’re even going to have the entire marching band present for some games.

CHN) Thanks coach. Everyone in Greenville or the surrounding areas should go check out an ECU game this year!

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview

Siena's Fran McCaffery: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:14:35 -0400

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Fran McCaffery: Siena

We continue this month long Q&A Series with coach Fran McCaffery, who led the Saints to the NCAA Tournament's second round last year. Coach McCaffery was kind enough to take time out of his busy preseason schedule to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net:

CollegeHoops.net) What will be the best strength of this year's team?

Fran McCaffery) Experience. Our core unit has played a lot of minutes together and all five starters from last year’s team return.

CollegeHoops.net) Are there any weaknesses that concern you?

FM) We are not a big team…more built on speed and quickness.

CHN) Who will be the biggest leaders on this year's squad?

FM) Kenny Hasbrouck*. He is the best player and our hardest worker.

[* Editor: Hasbrouck, a senior guard, averaged 16.1 ppg last year]

CHN) Tie score, with just a few seconds left … who will be your go-to guy in those situations?

FM) We have four go-to guys. Kenny Hasbrouck, Alexander Franklin, Edwin Ubiles or Ronald Moore. I have confidence in all of them and they have all delivered in the clutch.

CHN) What's the best change you've made in your coaching style in recent seasons?

FM) Every year I have to make changes based on our personnel.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

FM) League Champs*, NCAA Tournament

[* Editor: Siena's in the MAAC. They went 13-5 in league play last year]

CHN) Any last words to Siena fans?

FM) We're hosting the Coaches vs. Cancer BasketBall on November 6 in Albany*. We expect between 600 and 1000 people and hope to raise over $200,000.

[* Editor: If you're in the Capital Region, you should definitely head out to this important event]

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview

New Mexico's Steve Alford: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:13:44 -0400

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Steve Alford: New Mexico

We continue this month long Q&A Series with Lobos coach Steve Alford, who has reached 9 postseason tournaments in a 13 years at the D1 level. Coach Alford was kind enough to take time out of his busy preseason schedule to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net:

CollegeHoops.net) What will be the best strength of this year's team?

Steve Alford) Our biggest strength this year will be our guard play. We are very deep and talented at the point and shooting guard spots as well as out on the wing. Chad Toppert was No. 2 in the country in 3-pt. FG% last year (48.0%) and he has the highest career percentage in Lobo history (45.7%).

Sophomore Jonathan Wills continues to improve in his second year in the program. We went 14-3 last year in the 17 games he started in the shooting guard spot.

Sophomore Dairese Gary will be one of the top point guards in our league this season. He started 28 games at the point last year and his 105 assists were more than any Lobo had posted in the previous seven seasons.

Tony Danridge and Roman Martinez are both very versatile wing players. Tony was supposed to be one of our top players last year but he had a season-ending injury right before the start of practice. He is 100% healthy now and could be an All-MWC player in his fifth year in the program. Roman is very savvy and knows how to play basketball. He played a lot of forward for us this year, but he can also step out and hit from long range. He gives us a solid performance every time he steps on the floor

We also have three excellent newcomers in freshmen Nate Garth, Phillip McDonald and Curtis Dennis. Garth is a very fast and athletic point guard. His speed and vision are the best parts of his game. Dennis is a big guard who can play on the wing while McDonald was one of the top prep players in the state of Texas last season. We are very excited about what they will bring to our program.

CollegeHoops.net) Are there any weaknesses that concern you?

SA) The one area I am concerned with is our youth in rebounding the ball. Daniel Faris is our only returning post player for the second year in a row. He continues to improve and is one of the top big men in our league, but we are very young in the post. We have three very talented freshmen in Will Brown, A.J. Hardeman and Kem Nweke. Kem was in the program last year as a redshirt, and obviously none of these guys have played college basketball yet. They will all be great players in our program, my only concern is our youth in the rebounding positions.

CHN) Who will be the biggest leaders on this year's squad?

SA) We are counting on our three seniors – Chad Toppert, Daniel Faris and Tony Danridge – to all be leaders on our team this year. They each lead in a different way, but all are very effective in our program. Tony is not as vocal as Chad and Daniel, but he leads by example. Tony doesn’t cut any corners in the weight room or practice and our younger guys see that and learn from it. Chad’s leadership is shown through his hard work. He has built himself into one of the top shooters in the nation (No. 2 in the NCAA in 3-pt. FG% last year at 48.0%). Guys see that Chad’s hard work is paying off and it reinforces what they are doing. Daniel is the most vocal of the group. He helps to set the tone in practice and workouts. He is also the only returning post player we have so he helps the younger post guys during drills and practice.

CHN) Tie score, with just a few seconds left … who will be your go-to guy in those situations?

SA) I don’t want to give away too many of our plans before the season even starts. I will say that I am excited about the fact that we will have a lot of options for that situation this season.

CHN) What's the best change you've made in your coaching style in recent seasons?

SA) I don’t know that I have changed much in recent seasons. What I do try to do is learn as much as I can each year and apply that to my coaching style. I try to take the experiences I have gone through and apply the lessons learned to how I approach the job at hand. Hopefully, that has made me a better coach and will continue to do so in the future.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

SA) Our goal is to win the Mountain West Conference and get into the NCAA Tournament. After that, we want to be in a position to advance as far as we can in postseason play.

CHN) Any last words to New Mexico fans?

SA) We just want to encourage as many people as we can to get out to The Pit and see a game. The Pit is as good a place to see a college basketball game and be a part of the atmosphere as any in the country. We want everyone to be there in their Lobo red and help us sell out every game this year.

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview

Ole Miss Head Coach Andy Kennedy: Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:33:53 -0400

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Andy Kennedy: Ole Miss

We continue this month long Q&A Series with 4th year coach Andy Kennedy, who has led everyone of his teams to at least 20 wins. Coach Kennedy was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net:

CollegeHoops.net) Who is the biggest leader on this year's squad?

Andy Kennedy) With a young team (we played five freshmen and sophomores in the backcourt last year), we are still trying to establish that leadership role. As always, you hope to develop that from the most natural leadership position, the point guard. Our point guard, Chris Warren, had a great freshman year and is a leader by example, and we are trying to help him develop into more of a vocal leader as he is the focal point of our offense.

CHN) Tie score, with just a few seconds left … who will be your go-to guy in those situations?

AK) One of our strengths is that we have a number of different options in guys who have stepped up and made plays for us down the stretch. By Chris having the ball in his hands as the point guard, he has the potential to not only make a play, but to create the action and produce an opportunity for someone else. Eniel Polynice is our most experienced player. He’s more of a facilitator than a finisher, but he can make plays. David Huertas hit some big shots for us down the stretch. Those are our three most experienced guys who we might lean on at the end of a game.

CHN) What will be the strengths and weaknesses of this year's team?

AK) In year three, we have established more quality depth with several guys and several skill sets in the frontcourt. The frontcourt is inexperienced, but more versatile than in years past. The feared weakness is that with no seniors, we still have a very young team. They are not necessarily inexperienced, because we have several kids returning who played major roles and were a valuable part of our success last year, but we only have one guy on our front line who has ever played a game at the Division I level.

CHN) What's been the major change you've made in your coaching style in recent seasons?

AK) For us, it’s just been a complete change in the way we’ve played. Two years ago, we inherited a team that averaged 65 points a game and that has increased to just under 80 last year, so it’s been a complete change in style of play. I’m also a big believer in preaching to the players to take ownership of the team. In order for that to happen, as a coach I have to surrender some of the control, and that’s very hard to do. But it’s very important that the players take ownership of what we’re trying to do as a team.

CHN) If everything goes according to plan, what's the best case scenario this season?

AK) Our hope is to continue to improve and to take that next step. In hindsight, we’ve come up one game short in each of our two seasons here from fulfilling our goal of an NCAA Tournament bid. I hope we can take those lessons learned and take that next step this season.

CollegeHoops.net 08-09 Preview: Interviews | Complete Top 144 Ranking | 08-09 Preview Homepage | Discuss the Preview