Elite Eight

Elite Eight: The March Interview Series: Part Two

David Meseke — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:17:06 -0700

Elite Eight: A March Interview Series

CollegeHoops.net has you covered with all types of rankings, previews, and recaps. But we thought it would be interesting to ask some of the top players in college basketball a little bit about themselves. In each Elite Eight article, not surprisingly, eight players chime in with various answers. Some of these guys are household names, others are names that you'll recognize, while others are names that you may not recognize, but that you should get to know.

Question: Who is the toughest player you've ever played against?

Charles Jenkins, Hofstra

Sophomore, G - 19.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.3 apg

Junie Sanders. He was a New York guy from Brooklyn, and I played against him in the Rucker League a couple of times when I was younger and he absolutely killed me. I couldn't do anything against him. It wasn't just me, though - he killed everybody.

Curtis Jerrells, Baylor

Senior, G - 16.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.7 apg

Nobody was really that tough.

Kyle Singler, Duke

Sophomore, F - 16.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.6 apg

I have played against a lot of tough players like Kevin Love, Trevor Booker and Tyler Hansbrough. They all bring something different to the game so you just have to come ready to play every day.

Jonathan Cox, Drake

Senior, F - 12.4 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 0.8 apg

I think the toughest player I ever played against would be Craig Smith from Boston College. We played them my freshman year and I remember I would try and box him out or push him and he wouldn't even budge. He looked like he could of been an NFL linebacker but he's playing college basketball.

Question: Who was your favorite player growing up? Did you try and emulate his game?

Andrew Keister, Holy Cross

Sophomore, F - 8.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 0.7 apg

My favorite player growing up was Tim Duncan. The two things I tried to emulate from his game were how hard he played and his dedication to making all of the simple plays that might not be flashy, but helped his team win games. I still enjoy watching him play today because he remains consistent and always has the Spurs contending for a NBA title.

Kurt Cunningham, Boise St

Junior, C - 9.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.3 apg

Shaq. Yes, I always tried to emulate his game growing up.

Josh Dotzler, Creighton

Senior, G - 3.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.4 apg

My favorite player growing up was a tie between Michael Jordan and Pete Maravich. I didn't get to see Pete Maravich play but I would watch the movie Pistol Pete and try and emulate everything he did, from drills to the way he played.

Chris Wright, Dayton

Sophomore, F - 13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 0.9 apg

My favorite player right now is LeBron James. I would love to have watched Michael Jordan play in his prime. Everyone always talks about Michael Jordan and he was my favorite player growing up. When I watch encore games and stuff like that, that’s my favorite. I've tried jumping from the free throw line like MJ, but that’s about it.

Check back over the next two weeks for more Elight Eight interviews.. including the likes of Duke's Kyle Singler, Baylor's Curtis Jerrells, Hofstra's Charles Jenkins, and Dayton's Chris Wright amongst others.

Archive

Part One: Rasheem Barrett, Aaron Jackson, Zack Peacock, more.. (Favorite Player, Pre-Game Meal)

Elite Eight: The March Interview Series: Part One

David Meseke — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:33:07 -0700

Elite Eight: A March Interview Series

Question: Who was your favorite player growing up? Did you try and emulate his game?

Jason Holsinger, University of Evansville

Senior, G - 12.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.8 apg

My favorite player growing up was Grant Hill. We don't really play the same position, so I didn't try to emulate his game. I did wear his Fila shoes though.

Aaron Jackson, Duquesne

Senior, G - 18.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5.8 apg

Jason Kidd ... I tried to play like him all through middle school and high school. I still try to emulate his game today. He's a big point guard who rebounds and he likes to make plays rather than just score.

Dwight Thorne II, Colorado

Junior, G - 11.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.7 apg

My favorite player growing up was Rasheed Wallace. I thought he was so tough and good, and his team was always nice. I used to be a big man so when I did play center I tried to immolate his moves.

Zach Peacock, Georgia Tech

Junior, F - 9.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.9 apg

Vince Carter. I tried to emulate his game, all the acrobatic moves and finesse parts of his game. I could never jump like he can.

Question: Do you have a standard pre-game meal? How did this ritual get started?

Kurt Cunningham, Boise St

Junior, C - 9.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.3 apg

Pasta with a side salad and ranch. It's the only good thing our
pre-game meal spot has to eat.

Rasheem Barrett, Auburn

Senior, G - 9.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.3 apg

Chicken, yogurt, banana and salad. Someone told him me always need
to be hungry when you play.

Alex Renfroe, Belmont

Senior, G - 16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 5.0 apg

The night before games I usually take a trip to Chili’s and get a chocolate molten cake for dessert. This started my freshman year when I had a good game after I went to Chili’s, so I thought it was my good luck charm.

Josh Dotzler, Creighton

Senior, G - 3.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.4 apg

I don't really have a pregame meal. Most of my pregame meals consist of chicken, some pasta, and some vegetables but no specific meal. I probably started this when I was a freshman in college.