Interview: UNCW Head Coach Benny Moss

    
October 14th, 2007 by Shawn Siegel
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Coming off a 7-22 season, most teams wouldn't be expected to finish in the top half of their league.  But with the return of star guard TJ Carter, head coach Benny Moss is hoping for big things out of UNCW. The Seahawks second year coach takes part in our Q&A series:

 

CHN) Based on what you saw last year, what's the biggest improvement your team needs to get to the next level?
 

Benny Moss) Our biggest improvement needs to come at the defensive end of the floor, where we need to be more consistent. Overall, we must be more balanced offensively and defensively, but from the defensive standpoint, we've got to get better.

CHN) Are you settled with the starting lineup? Expect any particular battles for the open spots?
 

BM) No, I'm not settled. We've got too many new guys and too much youth. The most competitive spot will be at point guard between junior college transfer Marlo Davis and freshman Chad Tomko.

CHN) It might be hard to pick out one, but who is the most talented player you've ever coached?
 

BM) Rodney White, who was drafted ninth by the Detroit Pistons in the 2001 draft, has to be that player. He had size, skill and was 6-9, 235 pounds. He had guard-like skills because he could handle, pass and shoot the basketball.

CHN) Talk about one or two guys that stand out as being underrated contributors to your team's success?
 

BM) Daniel Fountain and Montez Downey will be keys. They are in more comfortable roles this season because T.J. (Carter) is coming back, along with the development of Vlad Kuljanin and Todd Hendley.

CHN) What do you think will be the hardest game on this year's schedule?
 

BM) Indiana. They have the No. 1 recruiting class coming in, along with D.J. White, who removed his name from the NBA draft. I've seen them ranked in the preseason Top 10. On top of that, it's a road game for us.

CHN) Realistically, what should UNCW fans and media expect from your team this year?
 

BM) We should be in the top half of the conference, but we can reach the upper echelon - the top three - if the freshmen and sophomores play like sophomores and juniors. It depends how quickly they catch on.