11/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 2, 2005
ARLINGTON, Texas - Head Coach Eddie McCarter
What have you seen in practice so far? What are you happy with, and what are not happy with?
It is hard to be happy or unhappy right now, because we haven't really done anything yet. I am really excited about how the guys have been working. We have had a lot of enthusiasm during practice and have stayed focused.
What are your expectations for this year's season?
To win more games than we lose, to make the Southland Conference Tournament and to make the NCAA Tournament.
Are there any newcomers that might join the starting lineup?
Well they definitely have the opportunity to start. Our three freshmen are doing really well right now, and I can see all of them getting some playing time and being a big part of what we are trying to do this season.
How much playing time do you see them getting?
That is hard to say right now, because we have yet to have a scrimmage or game. I think I will have a better idea of what these young men can do in a game situation, because a lot of times you see them in practice and it is a different situation. If they can continue to do in games what they do in practice, then I can see each of them receiving a significant amount of playing time. We feel like we have 10-11 players that can play. Those three freshmen are definitely in the mix right now and should see a lot of playing time.
Is there any one person that has stood out in practice so far?
Our seniors are the ones that are standing out right now. We have got some guys that have been with me for three seasons and they understand our system and understand how hard you have to play to win games. This being there last year, they are taking on more of a leadership role than they did last year. There hasn't been a whole lot of teaching with those guys, so we have been able to teach the younger guys more. The seniors have also been able to do some teaching themselves.
Are there any guys you see being in the starting lineup right now?
Right now, Kenny Henderson is injured, so we have had a chance to take a look at him until he is back on the floor. Jarrett Howell will start if we were playing today, along with Brady Dawkins, Steven Thomas. The other positions are up in the air. At the center position we have three guys, in Larry Posey, Jermaine Griffin and Anthony Vereen, whom are all doing really good right now. We expect all three young men to play and one of them to start. At swingman, Rodrick Epps and Terrell Henry are both standing out. We have six to eight guys competing for the two remaining positions.
What areas are you working on in practice?
We are working on defense. Hopefully, we can do a better job than we did last year. We felt that was our biggest weakness last season. We had five freshmen last season and they played a lot last season. When you play a lot of close games, you need everybody on the same page defensively, and we were not there last season. I feel like it takes more than one year to do that. This year, I think we will be a lot better.
Are there any one or two players you want to see an increase in scoring this season?
We let who is scoring take care of itself and we do not really talk about it. There are some guys who I expect to score. Obviously, Steven Thomas returns as our leading scoring last season. We felt like we asked him to do a little too much inside the post. I would be happy if everybody scores the same amount they scored last season and they were better defensively, rebounded better and cut down on their turnovers. This would translate into a better basketball team. I think we are going to run a little more this season than we have in the past. Hopefully that works out for us.
Do you think it is going to be easier this year with all the guys you having coming back?
It is not going to be easier, because we did not receive a lot of respect from all of the players we have coming back. In both preseason polls we are picked fifth or sixth. All of the teams above us are returning a lot of players or have replaced them with what we call "premiere" junior college guys that already know how to play. All of these teams are going to be a lot better than they were last year.
You open up the season in the BCA Classic against a very good Miami team. How will this tournament prepare you for the season?
You take a young team up there and it is important to get these games under their belts. It will be an enjoyable situation for our older kids. I feel like we can be competitive in the tournament. This will give us a good opportunity to measure just where we are. We play good competition all of the time. It will be a big test, but I think we will be ready for it.
What would you say the main strength of this year's team is?
We have a lot of good guards and the depth at that position is one of our strengths. But that still remains to be seen, because a lot of the guys are younger and not proven.
Steven Thomas is a big strength but we sometimes ask too much of him. A lot is expected of Anthony Vereen. Jermaine Griffin is an excellent post player and probably the best scoring post in the conference. As a team I think our strength is well balanced. We have 10 guys that we can put on the floor every night and be successful.
Senior guard Jarrett Howell
Jarrett, What are your expectations for this season?
My expectations for this season are very high. Everyone one knows that we have a lot of guys coming back, 10 I think. Last year was an up-and-down season. The lessons we needed to learn last season were learned and I think we are primed for a very good season. I want a conference championship. A couple of years ago we got a conference championship ring, but we are not satisfied with just that. We want a conference tournament championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Us being seniors, that is our ultimate goal. We know we have a lot of things to work on.
Is there anything in particular that you have been working on for your game?
The three things I have been working on during the off-season are leadership, using my right hand and cutting down on my turnovers. Last year I struggled with turnovers last season and I know that it can really hurt turnovers. We averaged a lot of turnovers last year. I need to be a better leader this season and get the guys to understand what coach wants and what we need to do to win. I think this will help us accomplish a lot more.
Do you guys feel any rivalry with the women's program?
Not really. We are happy for them winning conference last season. It brings a lot of notoriety to the university and that is good. We are an up-and-coming basketball program on both the men and women's side. I know we wish we could have made the NCAA Tournament as well, but that just gives us more motivation. We have a lot of guys returning and a lot of talent. We think that this is our year and we just need to step up and get it done. Do you think it is going to be easier this year with all the guys you having coming back?
Nothing is easy at this level. I tell a lot of guys that every day you are laying good players. Every guy in this conference was a really good player in high school. I think our chemistry is a lot better but that can change on a day-to-day basis. We just have to take it -day-by-day and learn from what the coaches are trying to teach us and be patient to get things accomplished.
Jarrett, you are on the floor at the same time with both Brady and Rodrick and all three of you can play the point guard position. Does that give you an advantage against other teams?
It definitely gives us an advantage because all three of us are really smart and have a point-guard mentality. It helps us out that the three of us know how we play and we use that to our advantage.
Senior forward Kenneth Henderson
Kenny, you started the last few games last season. What are your expectations for this season?
My expectations are to be in the starting lineup, but that is not my main concern. I just want to be on the floor at the end of the game. I want to be a part of the crucial plays that affect the outcome of the game.
