Interviews

IUPUI's Ron Hunter: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:43:25 -0700

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.

Ron Hunter: IUPUI

We continue this month long Q&A Series with 16th year coach Ron Hunter, the man who transformed IUPUI from fan NAIA program to one of the best in the Summit League. Coach Hunter 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?

Ron Hunter) I think we’re deeper and more athletic top to bottom, than in the past. We had a really good recruiting class come in. Robert Glenn and Alex Young have the chance to be special players in our program. Plus, we had a pretty good nucleus coming back. Not many players shoot it better than Gary Patterson and Jon Avery and Billy Pettiford had really good sophomore years last year.

CollegeHoops.net) Any major weaknesses that worries you?

RH) It’s going to take some time for us to come together. We’re not trying to replace George Hill with just one player. Someone’s going to have to step up and help replace his scoring. Someone else might have to step up and replace his rebounding. It’s going to take a team effort.

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

RH) It’s got to be (senior guard) Gary Patterson. He’s our only senior and he’s got that ‘been there, done that’ attitude. He’s a tough young man. He doesn’t say a whole lot, but when he does talk, the guys listen.

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

RH) I think I’m more laid back. With some of the work we’ve done with Samaritan’s Feet the past year, it’s really put things in perspective. At least, I’m trying to be more laid back

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

RH)

At the end, we’ve had another 20 win season and are in the NCAA Tournament. That’s our goal.

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

RH) Obviously, in the past, we’ve looked to George Hill. Now, I have a lot of confidence in a lot of our guys. Gary Patterson isn’t afraid to step up and take the big shot. He’s a gamer.

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Illinois State's Tim Jankovich: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:04:26 -0700

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Tim Jankovich: Illinois State

We continue this month long Q&A Series with 2nd year Illinois State coach Tim Jankovich, who led the Redbirds to a surprising 25-10 record and an NIT bid in his first season. Coach Jankovich 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?

Tim Jankovich) Hopefully, speed and quickness.

CollegeHoops.net) Any major weaknesses?

TJ) One of the last things I would ever want to do in my life is put our (team’s) weaknesses on the Internet. We are going to try to hide those, if we can.

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

TJ) Right now, I would say we have two. One is Emmanuel Holloway, who is a senior, and he had an outstanding year for us last year. He is just a natural leader. He’s made up of all the things that you would expect one day to be a coach. A lot of times, I feel like he is definitely an extension of the coaching staff. The other guy is another senior who transferred from Oregon, Champ Oguchi. I think he’s taken a leadership role. He got a great perspective sitting out a year; it’s his senior season and he’s made some sacrifices to come here and sit out, so I think he has a little bit of an extra hunger about him that probably motivates him to take a little bit more of an aggressive role.

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

TJ) Well, since this is only my second season, I haven’t made too many yet. I think I need to have a few more years go by before anything drastic probably starts to happen.

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

TJ) To me, our best-case scenario is always to come as close to maximizing our talent and our potential as possible. Whatever that is, is the ultimate to me.

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

TJ) I’m not someone that likes to designate or predetermine those kinds of things. I think those are always heat of the battle decisions that are made. Truthfully, I like a lot of that to actually come from the players and not the coaches.

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Georgia Tech's Paul Hewitt: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:29:50 -0700

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Paul Hewitt: Georgia Tech

We continue this month long Q&A Series with 9th year Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt, who has led the Yellow Jackets to 4 NCAA Tournaments. Coach Hewitt 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?

Paul Hewitt) We can really shoot the basketball.

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

PH) I think we have a core of good leaders in D'Andre Bell, Zack Peacock and Moe Miller. So I think we have some good leaders on this team.

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

PH) Being more patient with freshmen.

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

PH) We can be one of the best three or four teams in the ACC.

CHN) What's the best arena you guys play at in the ACC?

PH) I guess you've got say to Duke. They have really good players, and they get their fans into the game.

Coach Hewitt also wanted us to mention that Tech fans and anyone in the Atlanta region should get involved with Project Success sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta (they mentor kids from 9th to 12th grade), as well as HERO for Children and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta.

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DePaul's Jerry Wainright: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:58:49 -0700

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Jerry Wainright: DePaul

We continue this month long Q&A Series with 4th year DePaul coach Jerry Wainright, who has led various teams to 7 postseason trips. Coach Wainright 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?

Jerry Wainright) I'd say our versatility.

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

JW) Will Walker, our junior guard.

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

JW) We've been trying to use the dribble more effectively in our offense.

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

JW) We finish in the upper half of the Big East and get selected for the NCAA Tournament.

CHN) What's the best arena you guys play at in the Big East?

JW) Freedom Hall

We'd also like to commend Coach Wainwright for participating in Operation Hardwood V this past summer!

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Charlotte's Bobby Lutz: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:43:59 -0700

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Bobby Lutz: Charlotte

We continue this month long Q&A Series with 11th year Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz, who has led the 49ers to 5 NCAA Tournaments. Coach Lutz 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?

Bobby Lutz) Team speed, quickness and depth. We can play 11 guys. While we do not have a proven star we have excellent pieces and they are unselfish. We're versatile due to this depth, which will allow us to play various lineups and give us the ability to win in up-tempo or halfcourt games.

CHN) Close game, with a few seconds left, who will be your go-to guy in these situations?

BL) Based on this year's team it might vary game to game. Hopefully someone (or two) will emerge but it is too early to tell. Best bet at this point is Lamont Mack or Charlie Coley-our 2 seniors.

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

BL) Best leaders are Dijuan Harris, Ian Andersen, and Lamont Mack. All lead by work ethic and also have naturally enthusiastic personalities. They are very verbal and positive leaders in everything we do on and off the court. Other players respect them because they know that these 3 are unselfish and always put the team first.

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

BL) Yell less, demand more. I continue to try to improve based on our talent and from our basic philosophy which is to dictate tempo through changing defenses and to utilize the 3 point line while attacking the basket.

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

BL) A-10 title is possible but obviously will be difficult. Top 4 league finish and postseason is a minimum goal. NCAA bid is within reach.

To get an early look at the 08-09 version of the Niners, check out the this year's Basketball Madness and Uptown Basketball Tip-Offs:

Basketball Madness - October 23rd (9 pm)

Uptown Basketball Tip-Offs

October 28th – 11am-2pm @ Wachovia Atrium

October 30th – 11am-2pm @ Founder’s Hall

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Belmont's Rick Byrd: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:39:19 -0700

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Rick Byrd: Belmont

We continue this month long Q&A Series with long-time Belmont coach Rick Byrd, the man behind Belmont's three consecutive NCAA Tournament trips. Coach Byrd 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?

Rick Byrd) Experience. We have 5 seniors who have enjoyed a lot of success.

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

RB) Taking advantage of our depth and playing more people.

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

RB) Andy Wicke is probably our most vocal leader, but with 5 seniors, they all have something to offer.

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

RB) This season, it will be Thompson-Boling at Tennessee.

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

RB) A win in the NCAA tournament.

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Baylor's Scott Drew: Head Coach Q&A

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:03:39 -0700

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Scott Drew: Baylor

We continue this month long Q&A Series with Baylor coach Scott Drew, the man behind the Bears impressive turnaround. Coach Drew 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?

Scott Drew) Our Guard Play. (Ed: The Bears often play with a 4-guard lineup.)

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

SD) We've been playing at a faster tempo.

CHN) Who are the best leaders on this year's squad?

SD) Senior Curtis Jerrells.

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

SD) The American Airlines Center was impressive last year. (Ed: Baylor played Arkansas in Dallas last January)

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

SD) We have an opportunity to win the Big 12.

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Head Coach Q&As: Auburn's Jeff Lebo

Shawn Siegel — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:02:49 -0700

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Jeff Lebo: Auburn

We continue this month long Q&A Series with fifth year Auburn coach Jeff Lebo, whose looking to lead the Tigers back to the Big Dance for the first time since 2003. Coach Lebo 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?

Jeff Lebo) The one thing we were disappointed in last year with the way it happened with the injuries was that we didn't have our best players out there. The other thing that hurt us more than anything was not being able to simulate a lot of practice competition and having the kids on an edge a little bit when they came everyday to work. So, we'll have competition for spots and playing time and that makes it certainly a much better environment for them to get better.

CHN) Who are the best leaders on this year's squad?

JL) Quantez Robertson is our leader. He has started every game for three years and is as solid as anybody. He is among our all-time assist leaders.

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

JL) The one great thing about the SEC is the arenas are all homecourt advantages. Everywhere we go, it is loud and packed.

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

JL) We have a lot of new faces, and I think that we have some good, experienced guys back. Our team being healthy is going to be one thing. Korvotney Barber is going to be someone we count on a bunch this year to have a good year, and we think if we can get some of the newcomers to mesh in with some of the guys we have returning, we should be fine. We lost two very good players in Frank Tolbert and Quan Prowell, who played a lot of minutes for us and scored a lot of points for us, got a lot of rebounds and made key plays for us. So, those guys will be missed.

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Head Coach Q&As: Arizona's Lute Olson

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:32:48 -0700

College Basketball's Best Coaches

Lute Olson: Arizona

We continue this month long Q&A Series with legendary Arizona coach Lute Olson, a guy whose been winning NCAA Tournament games since before I was born (literally). Coach Olson was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer some quick questions for CollegeHoops.net:

CollegeHoops.net) Who are the best leaders on this year's squad?

Lute Olson) Nic Wise and Chase Budinger (Ed: Both are juniors)

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

LO) Quickness. Definitely our quickness. I think we are going to be a very quick team on the floor.

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

LO) I haven't made any changes to my coaching style. I'm just finding better ways to teach what we have always believed in.

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

LO) Mac Court in Oregon.

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

LO) We will contend for the Pac-10 title and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

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Head Coach Q&As: Boise State's Greg Graham

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:06:55 -0700

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Greg Graham: Boise State

We continue this month long Q&A Series with seventh year Boise State coach Greg Graham, the reigning WAC Coach of the Year. Coach Graham was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer questions for CollegeHoops.net:

CollegeHoops.net) Who are the best leaders on this year's squad?

Greg Graham) Our point guard, Anthony Thomas.

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

GG) Overall team size and length.

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

GG) Having been able to recruit players that fit our style of play better.

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

GG) Utah State and Nevada have nice places.

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

GG) Post-season play.

CHN) For out of town fans, what are the best tips you have for killing time before & after a Broncos game?

GG) Boise is loaded with great restaurants and places to visit

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