John Hugley IV Pre-Providence (12-4-23)
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 >> Going back to Thursday, what was that environment like?
00:03 >> It was an unbelievable environment, just having all our students out there,
00:06 rooting us on for the big game.
00:08 >> You ever experienced anything?
00:11 I know you've never been in a game like that.
00:14 Did that live up to what you thought it would be?
00:16 >> Yeah, definitely.
00:17 We knew it was gonna be an exciting game, a lot of energy, great fan base, and
00:21 it was everything it was set up to be.
00:24 >> And how do you not have the letdown coming into Tuesday?
00:28 >> Just going in there, playing hard, executing with coach, putting a game plan,
00:32 fighting together, fighting as one, just playing the right way.
00:35 >> I know Sam didn't play Thursday, but the games you have played,
00:38 what's that dynamic kind of like if you guys come in for each other,
00:40 try to keep that energy, pick up where you guys leave off,
00:42 no matter which one is on the floor?
00:44 >> It's a great dynamic, having him back, he's a great presence,
00:48 great offensive rebounder, defensive rebounder, he's gonna play hard for us.
00:52 He's gonna get his extra plays, defend on the other end, so
00:54 it's a lot of perks for having Sam back.
00:57 >> You mentioned offensive rebounds just now, so
00:58 it's like that's something that's been really good for you guys so far.
01:01 How much is that effort, how much is it?
01:04 What's going in?
01:05 >> It's a lot of effort, coach emphasized it a lot of practices, so
01:08 we just gotta go out there and compete, play hard.
01:10 >> What's exciting about Providence's size?
01:13 >> Regular size.
01:16 >> What's exciting about Providence in general?
01:21 >> I think they're a pretty good team, they play hard.
01:25 Coach English is a pretty good coach, they're gonna come in here and
01:27 try to play harder than us, but I don't think they will.
01:30 >> How fun are these conference challenges,
01:32 just knowing you guys represent Big 12 in these?
01:35 >> It's great, just going to compete against another powerhouse, so it's a lot of fun.
01:39 >> You've been really efficient up to this point in the season,
01:41 kind of what's your mindset about the shots you take and what you don't take?
01:45 And everything like that?
01:47 >> Just taking the right shots at the right times, getting my teammates involved.
01:52 They're putting me in great situations, rocking scoring great areas of the game, so
01:55 just having a feel for it.
01:57 >> Without saying, I'll say a little more ask of Luke on Thursday,
01:59 how do you think he did?
02:00 >> I think Luke, he's a phenomenal player, man.
02:03 I think if Luke just had to get out of his shell, we all believe in Luke,
02:07 Coach believes in him.
02:08 I believe in him especially, I feel like he can be a pro one day.
02:12 So just having him just step out of that comfort zone and
02:14 just push it to the next level.
02:16 >> With a young guy like him, do you kind of have to keep emphasizing that?
02:19 >> Yeah, definitely.
02:20 >> Just to be more confident?
02:21 >> Yeah, just boosting that confidence in him, letting him know next play,
02:24 you're good, Luke.
02:25 >> Going back to Thursday at the end there,
02:29 it looked like you were the ringleader for the Reed chants on the bench.
02:32 What's exciting about those guys when they get to toss in there at the end?
02:35 >> Man, any time guys like that just get a chance to step on the court,
02:38 it's an unbelievable opportunity for me.
02:41 Just being a great leader and a great teammate, cheering them guys on.
02:44 Cuz just what they bring to us every day in practice,
02:47 with them pushing us every day, just being the best teammates for us.
02:50 >> What stuck out more, Reed's narrow miss or Jake's roll there at the end?
02:54 >> I think they both were about the same, man.
02:56 >> That's a powerful boomer that you gave at the end, too.
03:00 >> Yeah, definitely, I love it.
03:01 >> [LAUGH]