Oct. 30, 2005
2005 Big Ten Basketball Media Day
Sunday, Oct. 30, 2005
Chicago Marriott O'Hare in Chicago, Ill.
QUOTE SHEET
Bruce Weber, Illinois
On the outlook for the upcoming season:
"We have a lot of spots open this year. Maybe we are not as good, but we were certainly skilled last year. I think now we're more of a physical and aggressive team. At times, I don't think the players still know what's going on, running into each other in the middle of the court, but it's been very competitive and the small, nagging injuries we've had in practice games are a result of that."
On the benefits of last year's championship run:
"Every little experience pays off. We gained valuable experience just by playing our orange and blue game with referees and fans. But you hope last year will help you down the road. Even if they didn't play, you still hope it's beneficial."
On preseason exhibition games:
"Last year they were a little excited for the first one, but after that they just wanted to start the regular season. But now, even with Dee (Brown)--he hasn't been playing since his injury. So he needs to get the feel of the game again. Back at practice, the first two shots he took were air balls. So it will help everyone to gain game experience against different teams and different defenses."
Mike Davis, Indiana
On who will replace Bracey Wright's scoring:
"We are definitely going to miss Bracey, but we have a lot of guys who can step in and take his place-- we added two fifth-year starters. We're not going to be a jump shooting team this year. We're going to be a team that goes inside-out instead of outside-in."
On player personnel difference between this year and last year:
"The last couple years we've been more of a jump-shooting team because we didn't have that big guy. D.J. (White) was unbelievable last year for a freshman - but that's what he was - a freshman. As a freshman post player, you're not used to getting pushed and playing physical off the block. D.J. had problems there last year, but he's gained 20 pounds and grown an inch over the summer. We want to run, but we don't want to run crazy. We're going to try and get the ball inside."
Steve Alford, Iowa
On the hierarchy of teams in the league:
"Michigan State and Illinois are two Final Four teams that are not going to sneak up on anyone. Our success at the end of last year and our strong starting five means that we are not going to sneak up on anyone either. That being said, we are not at the same level as Michigan State or Illinois. We are trying to reach their level and last year's finish is a big help."
On the league:
"I just love the Big Ten. I am one of the few people that have had the opportunity to play and coach in this league and it is a great opportunity. The competition, media attention and television in the Big Ten can prepare you for anything. It is a grind--after you start practice and get through the non-conference schedule, January through March is nothing but hard-fought conference games."
On areas that his team needs to improve:
"Board play and defense are going to be keys to our success. As last year went on, our defense got better, but our board play took a hit. We are looking for Erek (Hansen) to improve on the boards for us. We also have some good rebounding guards and this may be a year where we look for our guards to really hit the boards."
Tommy Amaker, Michigan
On outlook for upcoming season:
"We are a veteran team full of upperclassmen that went through the ringer a year ago. They have done a phenomenal job in preseason and in the off-season. Two years ago we came in with high hopes and aspirations. But a lot of issues grilled us--some out of our control and some self-inflicted. We can't let that happen if we are going to make a run this year."
On the keys to a winning season:
"Standards, work ethic--obviously words that every coach in this room are going to use. But, we are going to need some luck as well. I don't think you can win championships without luck, especially in a conference as competitive as the Big Ten. You've got teams not picked to finish in the top three of our conference but yet they are nationally ranked. So a handful of teams could win it. A mishap here, an injury there--you have to factor these thing in with a number of teams looking for an opportunity to contend."
Tom Izzo, Michigan State
On the conference outlook for the season:
"There are so many hard places to play in the Big Ten this year. Even if teams like Wisconsin and Illinois are average, they are still very difficult places to play. I think there are eight to nine teams this year that could beat you on any given night."
On his team's strengths:
"We have a very tall team this year, probably the tallest team I have ever coached. That being said, I think versatility is the biggest plus. Shannon (Brown) and Mo (Maurice Ager) are now more multi-dimensional and the two best defenders on my team. We have three go-to-guys and you don't have that too often."
On his program after 10 years at the helm:
"The upperclassmen are buying into the program again. As a coach it is good to see that the program is bigger than its players. Through recruiting and by staying in school, the players are taking pride in the program, and that means a great deal to me."
Dan Monson, Minnesota
On success with walk-ons:
"My philosophy with walk-ons started at Gonzaga. That's how we built that program - bringing in kids with a chip on their shoulder, overlooked by other people. From that point on, I think I've always had an open mind about those kids. When you take over a program like Minnesota that's on probation and has restrictions without scholarships you need to have some walk-ons as program guys. I think last year's team, the success of going 10-6 in the Big Ten, you could definitely relate to the Jeff Hagens and Brent Lawsons coming into the program and paying their dues. It will always be an element to our program."
On loss of center Jeff Hagen:
"Jeff Hagen is going to be missed. As a team we will have to replace a lot of the things that he did. You just don't go out with a magic wand and replace a seven-footer. (Spencer Tollackson) is not as big as Jeff. He's not going to be able to change shots. We ran our offense through Jeff because we didn't really have a point-guard. We gave him the ball and let him make decisions. Spencer's more of a scorer. We have the most experienced backcourt in America when you look at Adam Boone in his sixth year, Maurice Hargrow in his fifth year and Vincent Grier, in college for five years too. Those guys are going to be the guys who lend the experience we lost with Jeff Hagen."
Bill Carmody, Northwestern
On Northwestern's outlook for the upcoming season:
"I really like this team. We had some high expectations last year and the team is disappointed with our performance from a year ago. These guys seem to be taking instruction better and are a closer-knit group. I really feel that this team can go eight or nine guys deep."
On what his team needs to improve on this year:
"We are going to look at our earlier games from the previous year and see if any glaring errors stand out. I know for sure that we hoisted a lot of three's last year. We went 10 for 35 or something like that our first game. As the season went along we were able to cut that number down and play inside. I think the majority of our problems are just personnel issues."
On Vedran Vukusic:
"Vedran is more focused this year and is playing very well. We have five seniors and they all are beginning to realize that they have a lot of accountability. I have told Vedran he is responsible for making us go. Sometimes in practice it is difficult for him because we don't have anyone who can guard him. If this keeps up, I might have to get myself into shape."
Thad Matta, Ohio State
On the outlook for the upcoming season:
"We are further along this year because of how many guys we have back. Practices are flowing better, because the guys have a greater understanding of what we are trying to do. I think we have more competition this year. We only have 10 players every day at practice, so we have a team rule that no one can get hurt. The guys are getting tremendous reps at practice."
On the Big Ten:
"College basketball goes in cycles. Last year I thought was an incredible year for the Big Ten and I think this year, top to bottom, the depth in this league will be incredible. The one thing I learned coming into this league is that there are no guarantees on your schedule. You have to come every night to play or you will be beat."
Ed DeChellis, Penn State
On recruitment:
"It is a very competitive league and we have a lot of great coaches. You have to work very hard to get the players you need to compete. Other guys are out there competing and getting good players. It is harder when you are down and trying to make that climb, because kids want to go to schools where things have been put in place. We have been able to get some very good players for our team and program. Now we just need to build on it and take it one step at a time."
On the Big Ten:
"Some people last year thought it was going to be a down year for the league, but it ended up being a very good and competitive year--that's why we play in the league. There are great players and great venues to play in. There are also great coaches and the Big Ten is one of the most prominent leagues in the country."
Matt Painter, Purdue
On Carl Landry (knee injury):
"Recently he has shown a little bit more explosion. He is making some improvements. We need Carl sprinting both ways, playing post defense, playing at a high level and maximizing his potential. That's what we need him to do - forget about the knee and forget about scoring - do those little things that are going to help us win basketball games."
On becoming head coach at Purdue:
"I played for Coach Keady, and people ask me, `Do you feel any different? Is this a dream come true?' I never thought about it because I always thought (Keady) would be the coach at Purdue. When I did, I always thought Bruce Weber would be the next coach at Purdue. I was an assistant at Southern Illinois and he was a long-time assistant at Purdue. Timing worked out that the Illinois job opened up and they were interested in him. I was just happy at age 32 to be the head coach at Southern Illinois. I'm very grateful to be in this position."
On fan reaction about returning to Purdue as coach after playing there:
"We have something to prove as a program. The one thing that Purdue is known for is its blue-collar approach and how hard they play. The one thing that bothered coach Keady was that (last year's) team didn't compete. We have to get back to playing hard and competing and getting after people. Purdue fans are pretty loyal. They loved coach Keady, but I think more than anything they loved how generous he was and how hard his teams played. We have to get back to that."
Bo Ryan, Wisconsin
On the strength of the league this year:
"I really don't know how to rank these teams. There are probably around three teams that are on top, but right beneath them there are four or five teams that will fight and play a role in how the conference shapes up."
On his team's recent success:
"I just want my players to not forget what it took to get there. Success has a thousand parents, failure is an orphan. Sometimes players get too happy with themselves. I hope that is not the case for us."
On how much his team will lean on preseason All-Big Ten selection Alando Tucker:
"Have you seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa? We are going to lean on Alando a lot. I want the players to be listening to both me on the bench and Alando on the court. He is not bashful with taking a leadership role, whether in practice or community service. He does things because he wants to help the people around him, not because he wants attention."
