Bryan Mullins weekly press conference

CARBONDALE, Ill. - SIU men's basketball head coach Bryan Mullins met the media on Wednesday to discuss SIU's back-to-back wins over Illinois State and Valpo, and to look ahead to the upcoming road game at Bradley. Below is a partial transcript.

Watch the full press conference on YouTube

On SIU's 3-point defense...

We talk about ball pressure. We talk about being loaded up and being connected. I think Valpo had some decent shots, and Illinois State had some decent shots, that they missed. We need to continue to make them make another play. Contest every shot; that has always been one of our things. Our guys are starting to buy into that second and third effort on the defensive side of the ball.

On winning on the road...

That's obviously, especially with a young team going on the road, our challenge for our guys. We need to play the same way. The good news is that defense travels. It doesn't matter where you play. Defensively, it should translate. Offensively, I have to do a better job running things that give our guys good looks, and our guys know where to be, and our guys have confidence on the offensive side of the ball on the road.

On Marcus Domask...

Marcus takes what the defense gives him. He doesn't force it. He doesn't take bad shots. If he has open threes, he takes them. If he can post up, he does. He can drive close outs. He doesn't have that approach of, 'I'm going to take over.' He's just a very efficient player. Our guys are unselfish. Our whole team is. Everyone has opportunities to score. It's a different guy stepping up different nights, but Marcus has been pretty consistent for us on that end.

On SIU's understanding of defensive principles...

The last couple games, we have been more solid than we were against Indiana State. That's something we need to do on the road now. We have to get to the right spots on the road, where you're not as familiar as you are at home. That's the challenge moving forward with Saturday's game.

On rebounding...

If we're able to guard guys, we have to finish off the possession. That's the biggest thing, especially with this game against Bradley. They are relentless on the boards. They do an unbelievable job crashing, and they do it every single time, and they do it with a purpose. It's not one possession here or one possession there. It's every single time, they crash. If we're not willing to block out, it's going to be a tough game for us. A lof of that has to do with physicality. And it has to be all five guys. It's not Barret's job; it's not Marcus's job; it's not Sekou's job. It's Eric, it's Harwin, it's Lance, it's Trent. All five guys have to make an effort on Saturday night.

On Eric McGill's versatility...

He passes the ball well. I've always told Eric, I think that's the best thing he does. He can find people. He can get to the paint and make good decisions. He can come off ball screens and make good passes. He gives us another dynamic, in terms of someone who can create for others.

On Sekou Dembele...

He's physical. He has to play with a high motor every single possession. When he does, he's special. He can duck in; he can score with his back to the basket; he can go get rebounds in his area. We need that from him. He's learning. He has continued to get better. He has only played in eight or nine college games in his career. He will continue to get better throughout the season.