Comments from 1999 Men's Basketball Media Day
10/13/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
On this season ...
"We're very excited about the season. We're very anxious to get started. We feel like we made a progression in terms of starting to build a program. We got out there and did a little recruiting. And hopefully we've increased our talent level."
"We've got a good group of guys returning that we're very excited about. So much talk has been given to the freshmen, but we're very excited about our returning guys after the summer and the progress that they made. We're looking forward to a good year competing in America's best conference and we're anxious to get started Saturday."
"We feel like we want to play up tempo basketball. By no stretch of our imagination are we a power basketball team. We'd like to extend our defense and our offense, play a more of an up tempo style, because it's more conducive for the personnel we have."
On Michigan's schedule ...
"It's very difficult. Our non-conference schedule here is always going to be very tough. We're always going to play teams in other conferences that are 1, 2, or 3 in their league. Last year we had the toughest schedule in America. I think that's the expectation, to always play quality opponents. I think after this year we'll be able to have two name teams come to Crisler in November or December. I think that's our goal to have two big time home games."
On offense ...
"I hope we can play 10 or 11 (players). I don't know if that's possible. Obviously the more you have, I think that tells you about how your team is. You've got a lot of guys fighting for playing time. One of the things we have that we didn't have last year is competition at the positions. It's very difficult to develop teams and develop players when there's not adequate competition every day at practice. I think it's good for you to look over your shoulder."
On the post players ...
"Our big guys run. They work hard. We feel like that's an asset. Chris Young runs the floor very well. So does Josh (Asselin) and Leland Anderson. Those guys can get up and down the floor. Hopefully that's an asset and they can get involved in more plays. Athleticism and being able to run more than defense and offense. That's something we have to get across to these guys."
On the scoring ...
"I'm not concerned about offense. We'll be able to score points. I don't know if we'll have a guy who's a 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds) every night, but I think we have capabilities to get some quality things from a lot of guys, which we didn't have last year. The things that we really harp on are defense, rebounding and turnovers when you have a young team. If you want to play at a high speed, those are the things you have to do well."
On the back court ...
"They're really interchangeable. Kevin (Gaines) may have a little bit more of an understanding of getting guys involved for longer periods time. I think her really wants to be one of those triple-double kind of guys. He's not consumed by reading how many points are in a box score. That's not what he likes. He's a competitor and he has the ability to be a real leader. As is Jamal (Crawford). He adds a different dimension at 6-6. Bringing the ball up the floor in multiple situations, it can be imposing. They both bring different things to the table and they're both going to have to handle the basketball."
Junior Forward Josh Asselin
On the camps he attended this summer...
"As far as my summer, I had a lot of workouts and things that will help and improve my play on the court and off the court. Most of them were offensively minded, as far as moves, how to get open, different ways to get the ball and to do something with it."
On the new running game plan...
"I think it will work well for all of us. Our team motto is 'we're going to run.' Everyone is making themselves more able to run. We've had a lot of intense conditioning days with a lot of running that has prepared us for the season. I think that everyone on the team is capable of running and that's what we're going to do. We've done a lot more inside work, on the court sprints and agility drills than compared to last year. We're going more spurts. We want to go up and down the court."
On the freshman...
"We're not going to be extremely tough on them. It's not our job. I think it's their job, as players, to develop into the potential player they are to be. We just want to work as a team and we want everyone to develop a consistency with each other and to be able to play on the court with each other and hang out off the court. I think we're a family here and that's an important role."
On being in the leadership role...
"I believe that everyone is a leader on this team, in each individual's way, not just me. I'm not going to depend on myself to be the go to guy. Everybody brings their own thing, even the freshman and underclassman. They bring their own leadership roles to the team. It's very important that everybody, not just one or two individuals, be a leader. I think everyone is capable of being a leader."
On the Big 10 conference...
It's always been considered 'bump and bruising.' It may be a little faster, running wise, but I still think it's going to be a rough conference."
Junior Forward Brandon Smith
On recovering from his knee injury ...
" It's getting stronger and I'm getting more confidence in it each day. It's just a matter of time now. Right now, my goal is to play in January. As soon as I can get all the movement back in the next couple months, then I should be ready to go. I mean, obviously I want to play. Around Christmas I should be able to gage what I'll be able to do and how the knee feels and if I'll be able to withstand the vigor of the Big Ten season."
On how he's mentally handling his injury...
"The guys have helped me out a lot, checking on me every day. Since school has started it's been a lot easier because everyone's been here. At first it was really hard. I knew that I had six months ahead of me of rehab everyday. For a while, it looked like I would never get to the end, but now I'm halfway into it and it's getting a lot better and a lot easier."
On how he sees this team being labeled as a n underdog...
"I don't think we're the underdog. Obviously we're young, but we've got a lot of talent. We mesh well together. We play well together. The guys are all great to get along with. I think, as a team this year, we're a lot more cohesive as a group. We are going to mature every day and grow as a team and I don't think there is no limits to what we can accomplish this year."
Senior Center Peter Vignier
On the new talent making the team contenders...
"We definitely lost two great players last year, but they have so much talent and great skills for freshmen coming in. They are comparable to the guards we had years ago when those guards were freshman. They (freshmen) have all done well in high school. They know what it's like to play late into the season where there is a little bit more pressure. They are a seasoned as much as you can get from high school and AAU. They have seen some pretty good competition and we know they can play. They will have to learn a lot in practice before the start of the season, but they should be ready to go."
On the added number to the team...
"This year we've got everyone on our roster who can play and they can come in and give us something in the game. I think it will help us a lot. I don't think we have guys who will need to be taken out of the game. This year we have guys who we can go to on the bench, who can come in and help us out. It should help the team out a lot."
On the team's goals for this year...
"Obviously, we want to win all of our games. It is (realistic) for us. That's the kind of frame of mind we should be in. We shouldn't be thinking, 'Oh, we might drop a few.'
"No, we should be thinking, 'We are going to win every game.' I'm a senior, it's my last year. That's definitely how I want this team to go out. At the end of the season I want us to have won every game. Anyone who would think any different, I don't know what they would be doing in a uniform or even playing college basketball."
Senior Forward Darius Taylor
On summer sessions...
"We have a lot of guys who will come in and contribute. We have a lot of talent on our team. I think we can put a solid team together and hopefully do some things this year."
On the competitiveness of the freshmen...
"They will definitely make practice a lot more competitive. I think they bring a lot of enthusiasm because they are young and they make you want to play more and play harder. They bring a lot of excitement."
On summer training...
"This summer I played in a Chicago program. I learned a lot of things. What really helped me was playing with older guys, some in the NBA, to focus on the mental part of the game. I think that was kind of a problem for me earlier. This year I'm learning more about the mental part."
Freshman Forward LaVell Blanchard
On playing at Michigan...
"I'm excited for the first game and playing at Crisler is much bigger than I'm used to. I'm not nervous yet, but I want to play as hard as I can and do anything to help the team."
On the comparison of the freshman class to the Fab Five...
"I remember it and I met them. We're just trying to play our own game. We're different people."
On expectations...
"I can only go out there and play as hard as I can. I don't play for the crowd, I play to win. Time will tell, I'm still learning."
Freshman Guard Jamal Crawford
On playing time...
"Whoever works hard will be playing as long as he can contribute. It doesn't matter which position I play as long as I can contribute."
On the comparison of the freshman class to the Fab Five...
"That was their time, this is ours."
On playing at Michigan...
"It is a dream come true. I always wanted to play here when I was young. I'm excited to be here. As long as I keep working hard I will be contributing to the team whether on the court or cheering on the bench."
Freshman Forward Leland Anderson
On playing at Michigan...
"I couldn't have walked into a better situation. I'll play hard and I'll also be very versatile whether I play in the wing or in the post."
On freshman teammates ...
"Talentwise, my fellow teammates are oozing with talent. Jamal has got some tricks and he's quick. Kevin is the perfect guard."
On the upcoming season...
"As long as the chemistry is good and we stay mentally tough, we could do some special things."
Freshman Forward Gavin Groninger
On adjusting from high school...
"Right now, we have to see where we fit during practices. We have to get used to the mental part of the game and playing together."
On the upcoming season...
"Our unit is clicking well and the possibilities are endless. We have a lot of athletic ability. I think we can win every game in our game if we work as a team."
On the freshman class...
"As a class we're ready and excited to compete. We believe in the coach and the team."
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
