After breaking .500 for the first time at
Robert Morris, sixth year head coach Mark Schmidt has a
legitimate chance
at his first conference title in 2007.
Shawn Siegel (CHN): What
should we expect to be the strengths and weaknesses of next
year’s team?
Mark
Schmidt (MS):
We have a solid core returning this year, including two
All-Northeast Conference players (F A.J. Jackson - First Team & G Jeremy
Chappell - NEC Rookie of the Year), that really will be the centerpiece of
our club. We proved last year that we can be a dynamic offensive team at
times, and having each of our top four scorers back, I have a sense that we
can remain and exciting offensive club. One of things that really stands out
with the returning group of players is the fact that we are an unselfish
team. Each player is willing to get the others involved, and I think that
bodes well for what we're trying to build at Robert Morris. In terms of a
weakness, we feel we've addressed that with the addition of our two center
recruits in 6-10 Aaron Agnew and 7-0 Bas Rozendaal. We're looking for them
to give us a presence on the inside that we may have lacked in recent years,
and we're hoping they step up to help us both offensively and defensively.
CHN: Discuss the
incoming newcomers. Who do you think will make the biggest
impact?
MS: The best
thing about our incoming recruiting class is that each of them
are hungry and want to play. Having four returning starters,
which is a positive, means that our new guys are going to have
to push our veterans in order to play. Competition is always
good, and I'm especially eager to see how our new guys react in
practice and see how well they'll push some of our established
veterans. In terms of picking any one player out, it's tough,
because we see a lot of potential in everyone we've brought in..
CHN: Talk about
a player or two that stand out as being an unsung leader and
contributor?
MS:Tony Lee has
been a pleasure to coach the past two years and I'm
fortunate to have him for two more seasons. He's tough,
aggressive, is a
pit bull and does all the little things that you need in order
to help the team. He's unselfish, he's vocal, he's a natural
leader and has been a key part of the success we've had in the
last two years. He can score, he can rebound, he gets his
teammates involved and is tenacious on defense. He's gotten much
better at the skill aspect of the game of basketball, which
really excites me because that means he has the ability to get
that much better. We wouldn't be where we are without him.
CHN: How does
this year's schedule compare to recent seasons in terms of its
difficulty?
MS:We always play a tough non-conference schedule because we
feel it helps prepare us for the bulk of the Northeast
Conference schedule. Marshall will be a tough game, as
will Pittsburgh. It was important for us to try and solidify
some non-conference home games this year, and I think we've done
that with the likes of Duquesne, Florida International and
Youngstown State. I always try to put our players in situations
in regard to the non-conference schedule that if we play well,
no matter if we're at home or on the road, we have a chance to
win. I don't think that's any different this year.
CHN:
Realistically, what are your goals for this season?
MS: Our goal
every season, from the time we return to campus until March, is
to represent the Northeast Conference in the NCAA Tournament. We
have a solid group of returning players that understand what it
takes to win, having gone through that last season. We certainly
may have surprised some people last year, but all that does is
makes us more a known this year than an unknown. In order for us
to take the next step, we need to show consistency, and that's
our job as a coaching staff to make sure we get the best out of
the players not in the games, but in practice, as well.
