Men's Basketball Media Day Quotes
Thursday, October 13, 2011 | Men's Basketball
After watching head coach Billy Donovan's press conference, read quotes from some of the players at the basketball media day on Wednesday.
Freshman G Bradley Beal
On dealing with all the expectations from being third overall in rankings from high school:
“Honestly, all of that doesn't matter anymore. That was high school, and now I'm in college. And Coach Donovan has told me that before, and it stuck with me. The McDonald's All-American stuff doesn't matter anymore. I'm just focusing on what he wants me to do.”
Junior G Kenny Boynton
On being more comfortable with his shot:
“Instead of trying to change it, I have just been getting more repetitions and get used to it. Basically getting more practice makes perfect, so I have been trying to shoot a lot of it every day.”
RS-Freshman F/C Cody Larson
On the experience in April and what he learned:
“I think I've learned a lot. It's been a self-exploration type of situation. I've been doing things now to help me and help the team. That's my main goal now is to pay the team back for what I did. I feel like I need to work as hard as I can every day and do the right things and have no excuse for anything. I'm just ready to move on and get the season started.”
Junior F/C Erik Murphy
On the coaching staff:
“Each coach brings something different. I think they work well together as a team. I love the all new coaches. It has been a real smooth transition. I think they get along with everybody and everybody is happy right now.”
On maintaining team chemistry:
“I don't think it will be hard at all. We are a real close-knit group, and we spend a lot of time together. I think we all get along really well on and off the court so I think it will be easy.”
Sophomore G/F Casey Prather
On his role on the team this year:
“I can always bring defense like I have always been capable of, just rebounding and being a bigger body. I gained a lot of weight this year so I can bang in the post now.”
RS-Junior G Mike Rosario
On sitting out last year:
“It was tough. I have never sat more than two weeks playing basketball, so it was hard to adapt to the whole situation. I figured out I needed to go as hard as I could in classes and be the biggest cheerleader I could possibly be. I could be the hardest working practice player.”
On chemistry in the backcourt:
“I think that is our main focus. That is what Coach Billy has us working on right now. We have to get better every day and that is our focus.”
Senior G Erving Walker
On being a senior:
“It's been the fastest three years of my life. I can remember freshman year like it was yesterday.”
On Coach Donovan challenging him to lead the league in assists:
“I embrace it a lot. I look at it as another challenge for myself. I have all the trust in the world in Coach Donovan and if he thinks that's what I need to do, then I agree with him.”
Sophomore G Scottie Wilbekin
On having more confidence in his shot:
“I feel like if I am open I will shoot it. That is something that Coach Donovan wanted me to work on this year, and I feel like I have gotten a lot better. I will always rather pass it than take the shot, that's just me. But if the shot is there I am going to take it.”
On being better about getting to loose balls:
“I think when you have hustle plays like getting to the ball or getting steals that you shouldn't get, it fires up the rest of team. When that happens, you can go on runs or it can change the tempo of the game.”
Sophomore F/C Patric Young
On Donovan wanting him to become more of a leader:
“I have been a pretty passionate guy my whole career as a basketball player. I think every time I step on the court I go as hard as I can and do all the right things. Guys will start noticing things like that and hopefully I'll earn some respect from guys and have a good influence on the team.”
On progressing over the past year:
“Forgetting basketball, I feel like I have matured an exponential level. Just in this interview I feel so much more calm and comfortable with (media) around. I know every time I step onto the court that to become like a pro. I have to step on the court and be consistent every day, have the right mindset, be coachable, be ready to get better, and think about basketball all the time.”
