IABB Vets Media Day

  • last year
Transcript
00:00 Yeah, a lot.
00:01 Last year was the first year it became public.
00:03 It's something that's been going on in my life ever since I got to college.
00:06 It was something that's been going on and something I've been dealing with.
00:09 Last year was just the first time I had to, you know, it happened in the middle of the season, I had to miss time.
00:12 So, it's something that, you know, I've learned so much about myself.
00:15 Trying to learn and grow every day, you know, be very vulnerable, be very open about, you know, kind of how I'm feeling.
00:22 Make sure people that I'm around every day know kind of what's going on and how you feel.
00:27 And, you know, always, you know, you just got to give people grace.
00:30 You never know what a specific person is going through and, you know, you develop a lot of empathy for people around you.
00:34 And, you know, you never get too harsh with somebody because, like I said, you never know what somebody's got going on in their mind.
00:40 So, that's something that I really try to, you know, do every single day.
00:43 You know, just be nice, man.
00:45 Just treat people how you want to be treated and I think that goes a long way.
00:48 It seems like you've gotten a lot of support from that too.
00:52 That had to help.
00:53 Absolutely.
00:54 You know, my phone blew up when I first stepped away.
00:57 It was almost overwhelming.
00:59 I wanted to hit everybody back.
01:00 I still think I got some unread texts on my phone of people that I just never--just didn't see it.
01:05 But, you know, everybody was so great to me and everybody was really good.
01:09 Everybody wants to help.
01:10 Everybody has, like, what works for them.
01:12 And, you know, it's like everybody's different though.
01:14 So, not one thing will work for every specific person and nothing's ever going to make it all go away.
01:19 It's just, you know, different ways to cope and manage it.
01:21 That's kind of what I've been working on and been trying to work through myself.
01:24 And, you know, just now people ask me about it too.
01:27 If they're going through something, they'll ask me, you know, "What did you do here?"
01:29 I'm like, "Well, like, you can maybe try this, but I don't--like, don't, like, rely on that.
01:34 If that doesn't help, then, you know, go to someone else, talk to somebody," all that kind of stuff.
01:37 So, you know, I'm just trying to be, you know, an advocate, somebody who's helpful
01:40 and somebody who, you know, who is--somebody who can be looked at, you know, and went to for stuff like that because I've been there.
01:46 You're the old dude on this group now.
01:49 How has your role changed?
01:51 Yeah, you know, I think just on the floor, I think it starts with--I think it'll be more volume just for me.
01:56 You know, I think I'll take more shots--take more shots, hopefully.
01:59 That's the goal.
02:01 Yeah, but make more shots and, you know, just kind of be more of a focal point in that sense.
02:05 But then off the floor, you know, you just got to kind of, you know, treat guys the right way, you know.
02:10 Just, you know, ask them how their day is going, you know, be there for them.
02:13 And then when it comes to the part where you need to hold them accountable, you can
02:15 because you make those daily deposits into people and they know that, like, I care about these guys, man.
02:20 I love each and every one of them.
02:21 And so, you know, like they need to know that first and foremost before any of the basketball stuff.
02:24 So then we can work on the basketball stuff through that.
02:27 So I think, you know, on the floor, I'm definitely more vocal, you know, kind of trying to tell guys where to go, all that kind of stuff.
02:32 It's just different because last year we had such an old team, like with Connor and Phil and Chris and those guys who, like, knew everything.
02:38 So, like, nobody really had to say much.
02:41 But this year it's different.
02:42 Obviously, we got six newcomers, and so, you know, it's a different game.
02:47 So just try to be vocal.
02:48 And, you know, they ask questions, and you answer the questions to the best of your ability.
02:51 All of our freshmen and new guys are really intelligent people.
02:54 You tell them something once, they're going to figure it out pretty quick.
02:56 And, you know, that's all it is.
02:58 You just kind of got to work through it.
02:59 That seems like the way it always is.
03:01 How good can this team be, and what are your expectations for this basketball team?
03:04 We can beat a sleeper.
03:05 That's fine.
03:06 We used to sleepers last year, too.
03:08 I mean, it's been the same thing every year, basically.
03:10 So I'm not too worried about that, you know.
03:13 The roster, whatever you want to say, five-star, four-star, they ain't got to speak for themselves.
03:18 But it's all about the culture and the tradition that you bring.
03:21 We bring the best out of everybody.
03:23 How deep is this roster?
03:25 Because there's been other years you kind of know where the scoring is coming from.
03:27 How deep and how good can this roster be from 1 to 12?
03:31 The roster is deep because we got a bunch of good players out here.
03:34 You know, we got a bunch of good guards, a bunch of good forwards, a bunch of good centers.
03:37 So any given night, anybody can step up and be that guy.
03:42 Scoring-wise, you know, we still got players who can score.
03:44 So we're not too worried about that.
03:47 With those young guys, I talked to Brock, and he said you're one of those guys that he kind of leans on.
03:51 And he learned a lot from you.
03:53 Do you change what you do, knowing that there's four young freshmen kind of looking to yourself for leadership?
03:59 No, not really.
04:00 I still play the same way I play.
04:01 I feel trash-talked.
04:03 So I just get them on board.
04:05 Me and Little Brock go back and forth all the time.
04:07 Like a few days of practice after school, we hear talk after talk, hear talk after talk.
04:11 So it's just about the competitiveness and just staying after, shooting around, just working out together.
04:16 Does he ever shut up?
04:18 No, but once he hears my voice getting a little louder through the ceiling, he understands.
04:22 So he'll be quiet after that.
04:24 This team has been in the NCAA Tournament, this program, for four straight years.
04:28 And obviously the one before that was there was no NCAA Tournament.
04:31 Is that minimum goal, or is that obviously something that--
04:33 It's a precedent.
04:34 One of the most successful programs, I think only ten programs in America, has done that the last four years.
04:39 Yeah, that's the main goal.
04:40 But as I look at it now, we're just taking it game by game, day by day.
04:45 Then once they come to us having to get that call to say we're in the NCAA Tournament, then that's what we'll look forward to.
04:52 But other than that, we just worry about the season, every game.
04:56 And then the Big Ten, then we'll work on the NCAA Tournament.
04:59 We'll stick it for a while, and then kick your butt kind of thing.
05:03 So, yeah, it's been good.
05:04 What does Kriki do, and where will he fit?
05:07 Yeah, he's an incredibly smart, very skilled player.
05:12 I was really impressed with him really the first day he got here, just how he moves and how he has a knack for finding a lot of open space.
05:21 He's a great motion guy.
05:24 I think he should sign a line up four or five, and he'll be able to make a lot of jump shots, get to the rim.
05:29 He's an incredible free throw shooter, rebounds it well.
05:32 So I'm really excited for him.
05:34 You grew up in Iowa, so you can remember back to like Aaron White.
05:38 Pretty much ever since then, Iowa's always had the guy on the team.
05:43 This year, do you feel like that's the case?
05:45 And if not, is that maybe a good thing?
05:48 I wouldn't really necessarily say that's the case.
05:50 I think we have a ton of very good players that are all going to contribute.
05:54 I think this is a really deep team, which is what I'm really excited about.
05:58 I think that's kind of what it takes to make a deep run in March.
06:00 You have to have a bunch of guys that can contribute because one off night by someone will really derail the season.
06:05 So I'm really excited about really just how many guys you have out there that can make a big impact, and I think you're going to see that.
06:12 You talked about just finding yourself off the court.
06:16 That's something that not just basketball players deal with, but a lot of college freshmen.
06:21 How cool has it maybe been to be with your younger brother to help him go through some of those struggles and maybe help him?
06:27 Yeah, I always say he's spoiled because he gets things so easy.
06:30 I'm always picking him up and getting him food and stuff, but it's been awesome to see.
06:35 I'm really proud of the way that he's transitioned, and I think you're going to see him making an impact on the floor.
06:41 It's really a dream come true just being here with him. It makes it feel a little bit more like home every day.
06:46 When are we playing pickleball?
06:47 I know. I've got to get that done.
06:49 What's the feel for you this time now compared to where you were this time a year ago?
06:55 It's a lot different, obviously. I've got a lot more experience.
06:59 I'm expecting to play a bigger role this year, so I've got a great feeling going into the season.
07:04 Where do you feel like you've grown the most, both maybe as a person and basketball-wise?
07:10 As a person, obviously last year prepared me for a lot.
07:13 That was a situation I had never been in before, and I think it helped me grow a lot.
07:16 As a basketball player, I'd probably say just playmaking.
07:21 Obviously, I did that before, but just taking it to the next level to be able to lead a team in college basketball.
07:27 Just defensively, taking a more serious approach defensively, because that's something that we need,
07:33 and I think that's something we'll be a lot better at this year.
07:35 Was there anything that surprised you, speed of the game, anything like that last year?
07:39 Probably speed. I was already used to playing at a fast pace, but obviously in college,
07:45 everybody's just as athletic, just as fast, so just learning to think the game and still play with the pace,
07:52 that was probably something I learned last season.
07:55 From a physical strength standpoint, for your position, you talked about defense being able to D up with being stronger.
08:01 Do you feel stronger now?
08:03 I'm definitely stronger. I gained some weight this offseason.
08:06 I was able to guard last year, but I think adding some weight will make my job a lot easier on the defensive end.
08:13 Was it more strength or weight? You don't look a ton bigger. You look bigger than you were when you got here.
08:18 Both, to be honest, strength and weight. I put on a couple pounds and just stayed in the weight room.
08:23 Got a little bigger as well, so both.
08:25 How do you feel like people are reacting to you as the point guard, just teammates?
08:31 What's your chemistry like with the other guys, and how do you feel running things?
08:37 Chemistry's good. I'm finding guys, trying to get all my teammates involved, my shooters, my bigs.
08:43 I think the chemistry's pretty high. I feel good. They look for me just as much as I look for them,
08:48 so I think the flow's really good on the floor.
08:51 Seems like the folks on the outside of the building aren't giving you guys a lot of run,
08:56 but I know Coach Fran and his locker room, you guys always have a lot of confidence.
09:01 What is the feeling around this team?
09:03 We can't really pay attention to that. That's the only way a ship can sink, if you let water from the outside get in.
09:08 We just stay focused on what we got at the table. We care about everyone in that locker room, and we just keep it that way,
09:15 knowing that we're all going to go out there and fight for each other every night. That's all that we care about.
09:20 What's your relationship like with Brock, and how are you guys working together?
09:24 You guys are both trying to do the same thing, both trying to lead a team.
09:28 It's a good relationship. We push each other in practice. I'm pushing him, he's pushing me.
09:32 He's one of the guys that I would say are close to how fast I am,
09:37 so him being able to try to get in me a little bit helps me prepare for whoever I'll be facing tonight.
09:42 I think we comprehend each other very well.
09:45 How are you feeling this year compared to the past? You've got some experience under your belt now.
09:51 For sure. It's a lot different. The uncertainty of last year, with my leg and stuff, too.
09:57 It was a lot of uncertainty. I had never played a game, so I didn't really know exactly what the college level was like.
10:02 Having a year under my belt, it's been great.
10:05 What was the adjustment, just from a physical standpoint, but then you're learning how to play a couple positions.
10:11 Coach McCaffrey wants you to run the point, you're playing off, things like that.
10:15 The physical standpoint, it was challenging with the injury, but I felt like I handled it decently well
10:22 because I had a lot of good people around me pushing me and stuff. It helped my rehab a lot.
10:27 Just learning the game as well, it was challenging because playing different positions,
10:31 not being able to work out during the summer. I had a shorter amount of time to learn it,
10:35 but I feel like just going into this year, being able to learn it all, just the different looks and stuff, it's been great.
10:42 Does it feel like you're playing faster? Not having to think as much and it's more reactive?
10:45 Oh yeah, for sure. Just being out there, it changes. Experience helps a lot, so I feel like that's a big key.
10:52 What do you feel like or what do you see your role being on this team?
10:56 It seems like you guys have a lot of interchangeable parts.
10:59 I feel like my versatility will help. I can play 1-3-3, so that's good.
11:04 But I also feel like defensively I can guard 1-3-3. On this team, I feel like I just do whatever the team needs me to do.
11:12 That's kind of what I want to do. I just want to win.
11:15 You look like you've filled out physically. Do you weigh more? Do you feel stronger?
11:19 Yeah, I gained like 8 pounds since the end of last season, so it's been good.
11:23 I feel a lot stronger and stuff out there, so it's good.
11:26 How does it help to have that added strength?
11:29 On the defensive end, it's helped a lot. Being able to guard the post a little bit better.
11:34 And then offensively, being able to take bumps and get to the rim has helped a lot.