University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Head Coach Larry Eustachy Media Day Quotes
11/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2011
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss men's basketball program held its annual Media Day this morning. Head Coach Larry Eustachy and the Golden Eagle basketball team met with the media to preview the upcoming season.
Head Coach Larry Eustachy
On the state of the team...
"We're not nearly where I think we're going to be, but we're probably ahead of where we should be. We have a good core of returning players, and a really good core of newcomers. It's really just getting the new guys to understand what it takes to play at this level and how it is to play at this level. That's always a challenge. But it helps when you have guys that can show them how to do it. This is the best situation that we've had that way, with returning players that have bought in and will show them how to do it. We're in a good situation, but we have a lot of room for growth."
On expectations for the 2011-12 season...
"We have the mental make-up to create a teaching environment that's the best we have had since I've been here. To compare last year to this year is far too early. I think we have the program to the point where we're not rebuilding, we're just moving on. Now whether we can match last year, I don't know. Time will tell. But I'm guardedly optimistic about this year."
On the newcomers...
"Rashard (McGill) came in here understanding what it's going to take more than the other newcomers. That's why he finds himself with the best role on the team right now. (Jonathan) Mills is a little banged up, but I think he's starting to get it. (Keith) DeWitt is struggling right now. But, I think a lot of it is based off their background. They've all been coached really great in junior college. But you have to be patient with them, and they have to be patient with us. We'll get tagged with some losses early, but by the end of the year, I'm hoping to put a team out there that, if we don't get hurt, then we can be very, very good. Our potential is way down the road, and we have a huge room for growth, which is good."
On the physicality of the team...
"I think we can be more physical. I just do. I just think this group can be more physical. When Mills gets healthy, he can be more physical than anyone we've had in a really long time. This is a different, unique group. They're really committed. Character and chemistry-wise, they've been terrific."
On if there is a go-to-guy...
"We've got guys who can make big shots. But more importantly, we've got guys who can make big stops. Players make plays. When these games get close, coaching is extremely overrated. I think we have that. I may be wrong, but I think we have guys who can make some plays."
On Maurice Bolden...
"I think he can lose confidence and as a coach you have to really be aware of that because he's a special person. He's the most special guy I've had here. From where he comes from and what he's accomplished is probably as phenomenal as anything I've seen in coaching. (Bolden) would die for us, and he amazes me all the time. I'm very loyal to him. I've had a lot of loyal people, but he's the most loyal person that I've had. So I'm very loyal to him. He's bought into how I think we should play the game. He's worked really hard, and he's got a license to make some mistakes and work through some things. He is our leader."
On how the early schedule sets up...
"It's good, but not good. We may not win a bunch of games, but when we come back, we'll know who we are. Right now, we don't know who we are. We did it on purpose. The schedule is terrific. Non-conference is really good. We'll be tested early."
On Angelo Johnson...
"Whenever Neil (Watson) is in he is going to be point guard. Neil is the truest point guard that I've had here. So that will move Angelo to the shooting guard. I think that Angelo might be a little more comfortable there. At times last year, I think having the ball in his hands all the time really wore him down. So Neil will really help Angelo hopefully have his best year."
