Coach Mullins Press Conference Transcript
06/26/2019 | 2:03:00 | Men's Basketball
Southern Illinois men's basketball head coach Bryan Mullins met with the media on Wednesday morning at Banterra Center to discuss summer workouts, the new 3-point line distance and more. Below is a transcript. To watch the press conference on YouTube, click here.
OPENING STATEMENT
Summer has been great. This is our third week to have the whole team here. It's been awesome for us. Obviously, the first couple months for me and my staff was about recruiting and getting these guys here. Now, to be able to work with them and be around them, it's been a great experience so far. They are working extremely hard. In terms of their coachability, their work ethic, their attitude, and their energy — we couldn't have asked for more right now. Obviously, we are a long way away from where we need to be. We have to keep perspective in our minds as coaches that, even for Aaron (Cook), Eric (McGill), (Brendon) Gooch and Sekou (Dembele), everything is new for them, as well. It's bringing together 11 or 12 new guys and slowly put it together to make them a team. It's exciting. Like I said, their effort has been great so far, and I'm extremely pleased with that.Â
Where did you start when recruiting this class?
I've said it before. It wasn't so much about their age or what year they were; it was about getting the right type of guys, in terms of doing our research and making sure they fit what we wanted to do with the direction of the program. Obviously, we wanted to bring in a couple freshmen right away to have a great foundation for the future. Then, we also wanted to bring in a couple grad transfers to have some experience on the roster, because Aaron, Eric and Gooch have invested a lot into this program, and to give them an opportunity to win a championship. We have been able to accomplish that. I love our young guys. Barret has been here working, and he's been great. Hopefully, we will get Ronnie (Suggs) here in a couple weeks.Â
Drake was in a similar situation last year in terms of roster turnover. Did you base this on what they did?
I didn't look at Drake's blueprint. Obviously, Coach (Darian) DeVries did an amazing job being able to locate key pieces. They brought in a grad transfer, a couple junior college kids, and a couple freshmen. I think they built it similar, in that they wanted to take guys that they believed in and trusted. Again, our goal was to get the right type of guys — for the culture, for the locker room, and for the future of the program, and not to bend on character, work ethic, or competitiveness with that.Â
Did you reach out to other coaches in the league for advice?Â
A lot of the Missouri Valley coaches were great. When I first got the job, they reached out to me. I think I talked to almost every one of them. They wished me luck and said they were here for me. Coaches I've seen on the road recruiting, or some coaches I'm closer with, I've asked for advice, for sure.
How critical has (Barret) Benson been?Â
He has been great. His attitude is awesome. His leadership has been great. He has probably been our most vocal kid, along with Aaron and Eric. To have those three seniors at the core, that has been tremendous for us. He is an extremely hard worker, and I think he's motivated. He's coming from Northwestern; he has a chip on his shoulder. He's ready to prove something in his final year here.
What do you hope for transfer waiver requests?
We're going through the process right now. You're not allowed to submit a waiver until they're enrolled here. We're working with compliance right now to put forth the best possible waiver we can. I'm not exactly sure what the time table is. It's in the NCAA's hands. Obviously, we're optimistic.Â
You only get a couple hours per week on the court. What are you working on?
Just habits. Offensively, spacing and ball movement. Defensively, trying to get some of the shell defensive principles in. But really, just going hard every single rep. Teaching little things that play into everything we do for our future. We haven't gotten to a lot of X's and O's. We haven't done too much. We have started slow, and we want to teach as much as possible so that when we do go competitive, the teaching and habits are already in place.Â
You're playing in the Sunshine Slam Tournament. What do you want to get out of that?Â
It's great for us. It's the first weekend of the season, which is different from some of the tournaments I've played in and coached in. It's going to happen fast, and it's going to be a great test. It will give us a good look of where we're at early in the season.Â
How do you think the new 3-point line distance will affect the game?Â
I think it will maybe separate great shooters from good shooters a little bit. Putting a priority on shooting is even more key. It's a foot-and-a-half, about, and it does make a difference for guys who maybe can make one every once in a while. It will spread the court. The spacing will be a little bit better. I think it's a good change.Â
Do you think it will be a factor in doubling the post from a guard spot?
It's an extra foot. Obviously, once the line is in place and we're practicing with it every day, the guys will get used to it. It will be a little better in that it will open up the court more. Defensively, you're going to have to move faster. I think they're trying to go to more freedom of movement and get more scoring, with the shot clock change, as well as the 3-point line. It will be a little different.Â
Now that you have your whole roster, what is the strength of the team?
Right now, it's their competitiveness, work ethic, and coachability. In terms of doing what we have asked of them, in terms of listening, going hard every single day — we haven't had one guy be late to anything in the first three weeks. I think that's our biggest strength. In terms of the basketball stuff, we'll figure that out during the season. It's a little bit too early to tell.Â
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