Sam Godwin Pre-Arkansas (12-7-23)
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00:00 >> Sam, what do you remember just about Arkansas last season,
00:03 that environment, playing that team?
00:05 What do you remember from that game?
00:07 >> I mean, super physical team, and they just chant Wu-Ping-Sui the whole game.
00:10 So hopefully we can kind of stop that a little bit this year and
00:13 come out with a win.
00:14 >> Is it a pretty unique environment early in the season,
00:17 like a neutral site like this against a team that's not far away?
00:20 >> Yeah, I mean, it honestly just reminds me of an away game in the Big 12.
00:23 You're not going down to Texas or any of those teams down there.
00:25 It's just gonna be a packed crowd just kind of cheering against you, and
00:27 that's kind of what it's gonna feel like.
00:29 >> When you look at the size and physicality Providence had and
00:32 the athleticism of Arkansas, is this the closest for some of the newer guys of
00:36 saying this is what it's like week to week in the Big 12 to turn around and
00:38 play teams like this?
00:39 >> I mean, yeah, for sure.
00:40 Everybody in the Big 12 is gonna be just as tall as us, just as athletic as us.
00:44 And I think the Providence and Arkansas coming up are, yeah, I mean,
00:47 they could be Big 12 caliber teams.
00:49 So it's a good adjustment for
00:50 them to get a little taste of it before we start the real thing.
00:52 >> What's that dynamic been like with you and John, where just one guy comes out,
00:56 the other guy picks up and lifts off, and you guys have been both obviously being
00:59 very productive.
01:00 >> Yeah, I mean, I think we work great together.
01:02 I mean, we obviously have pretty different style of play.
01:04 He's more of a post up, man the ball kind of big.
01:06 I'm more of a on and off the ball screens role and stuff like that.
01:09 But I think it kind of adds a variation just to our offensive.
01:12 They have to switch up their defensive coverage, depending on who's in the game.
01:15 >> What's gone into your success,
01:16 especially on the glass, specifically offensive rebounding?
01:19 How much is that effort?
01:20 How much is it technique?
01:22 What's gone into that?
01:23 >> I mean, it's all effort, to be honest.
01:24 It's just who wants it more.
01:25 And you gotta have a good motor, be in good shape to go and chase the ball.
01:29 So I feel like that's what I do a good job at.
01:30 >> How much has Porter, maybe the coaching staff, pushed you to really,
01:34 to make that such an effective part of your game?
01:36 >> Yeah, Coach Humphrey every day is on us yelling at just every drill,
01:41 every possession, just get the ball, get the rebound, stuff like that.
01:44 So we don't really have a choice.
01:46 >> Whenever you talk about Arkansas, everyone goes, they beat Duke,
01:49 everyone gets excited about it.
01:50 What have you seen from Arkansas so far on film, and
01:51 what are they gonna present for you challenge wise this weekend?
01:54 >> Yeah, I mean, they're an extremely talented team.
01:55 They're similar to us, and they play ten guys that are all, I mean,
01:59 could be starters on a bunch of different teams.
02:00 So I mean, we gotta lock in on a deep scouting report and things like that, and
02:04 go over their actions and just be ready.
02:06 >> What stood out to you about JV and
02:09 Lowe's, the way they play off each other, the way they've, playing in the backcourt?
02:13 >> Yeah, I mean, they're probably the two best point guards in the country.
02:15 So, I mean, having that on my team makes my job a lot easier, but
02:18 the work they put in every day is just, you guys see a little bit of it on the court,
02:21 but it's an everyday thing for them.
02:22 They're in before practice, after practice, getting shots,
02:24 working on their game, so it's not really a surprise to me.
02:27 >> How long did it take you to realize that JV was gonna be this good?
02:29 >> Not long.
02:32 After a couple of pickup sessions this summer, we kinda got a clue pretty early.
02:37 >> Do you agree with the Allen Iverson comp that the Providence coach said on?
02:41 >> Yeah, I don't see why not.
02:42 I also saw some people saying Shea, Gilchrist, Alexander.
02:44 I think I like that one a little more.
02:45 He's just always at his own pace, never rushed, so.
02:47 >> He's one of the few guys who played a lot of minutes on last year's team.
02:51 Just how different does this group feel overall from a year ago?
02:54 >> Yeah, like Coach Moser preached last summer, it's a different style of
02:57 basketball.
02:58 We're getting up and down.
02:58 I mean, you guys heard it throughout the whole offseason, but
03:00 now you're starting to get to see it.
03:01 It's just fast-paced and fun, so.