The air was filled with the traditional examples of coachspeak and cliches at B1G Media Day yesterday in Chicago, as each of the Big Ten’s 14 coaches took their annual preseason turns addressing the media horde. That’s not to say there weren’t some interesting quotes and moments sprinkled into the festivities, however, as a full day of questions is bound to unearth some nuggets of truth. Here’s a team-by-team look at the most revealing thing each coach had to say at the dais on Thursday.
- Illinois: “Well I’m anticipating getting some of these guys back. I love the character in our locker room right now. I love the versatility of our team. That’s a big thing. We’ve got guys who can play multiple positions. We can play small. We can play big. They represent what we want to be about.”- John Groce, on his sunny outlook despite several early injuries.
- Indiana: ” I’ve never had anybody that made the jumps he made athletically. He went up nine inches in his vertical jump in seven weeks and [we’ve] got guys that have not gone nine inches in four years.”- Tom Crean, on how freshman Thomas Bryant looked over the summer.
- Iowa: “I think this is one of the most unique teams I’ve had in in all my years in coaching in the sense that we have four starters back. Can almost count Clemmons as a fifth starter. And after that, everybody’s young, with the exception of Dom Uhl. He’s the only one who played; everybody else is a guy who sat out last year, freshman or in transfer didn’t play last year. So it will be a real challenge to get those young guys ready because I think, you know, in this league, five guys isn’t enough; you need at least 10.”- Fran McCaffery, on the mix of youth and experience on his roster.
- Maryland: ” Kind of a buzz would be an understatement. I think we need about 50,000 tickets. We could probably use about 100,000 tickets for that game. It’s going to be great. “- Mark Turgeon, on the excitement for Maryland’s huge match-up with Georgetown on November 17.
- Michigan: “We have to get these young men that will probably have to move back in their minutes and still get comfortable with a 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-minute slot, and some of those same young men might be in the 30-, 35-minute slot. So we’re going to determine that out, and it is great to have depth. And it gives you all kinds of choices.” – Jon Beilein, on his stocked perimeter and multiple lineup options.
- Michigan State: “Last year, we were the worst free throw shooting team in captivity. And hopefully we’re going to turn that around this year.”– Tom Izzo, on Michigan State’s free throw shooting woes last season.
- Minnesota: “We had an “old team” last year, and I didn’t think it was easy either. I think it’s just difficult regardless of what you’re doing. They’re going to have to grow on the fly. What’s good for them is they’re going to have to play right away.”– Richard Pitino, on how Minnesota’s inexperience will affect the Gophers in Big Ten play.
- Nebraska: “I think he has a chance to be an NBA player. I think that he is — can score a whole bunch for us. I think as he improves his outside shot, he’s only going to get better and better.”-Tim Miles, on what Shavon Shields can do during his senior season. (Bonus Quote: “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.“- Miles, upon entering the proceedings).
- Northwestern: “We don’t talk about it a lot with our guys, but I think coming into the season, we did talk about the fact that it’s not on this current team’s shoulders to feel the pressure day in and day out of playing for however many years it’s been of going to the NCAA Tournament. If you start doing that, then you’re not going to be successful.” – Chris Collins, on whether his team feels an extra burden with Northwestern’s long NCAA drought.
- Ohio State: “In terms of rebuilding, I think that’s a good thing because that means our program has been at a pretty high level. You’ve got that confidence. But I — I kind of like the standpoint of the unknown with this team.” – Thad Matta, on expectations for a team with only one upperclassman.
- Penn State: “I think Brandon Taylor is ready to take that torch. He’s ready to step up. He’s worked really hard in the offseason, changing his body, working on his versatility.” – Pat Chambers, on who will fill the shoes of DJ Newbill.
- Purdue: “His motor is something that’s always going to be questioned. He has the ability to be a better sprinter. Just challenging him to have that complete season.“- Matt Painter, on what AJ Hammons needs to do as a senior.
- Rutgers: “Last year, Jack and Mack were our top scorers, and we just couldn’t score last year. So I just think that we just need to score more, and we’ve opened the offense up a little bit more, and I’m excited about how we’re playing so far in practice.” – Eddie Jordan, on changes to the offense in the spring that will help Rutgers’ score more often.
- Wisconsin: “Media influences rules by trying to get the most out of advertising dollars of the people who sponsor the games. They want more rules. They want more of this or that. You know, it’s still going to be you’ve got to put the ball in the basket and you’ve got to try to stop the other guys from putting the ball in the basket, whether it’s a 5-second shot clock or 30.” – Bo Ryan, on how the 30-second shot clock will affect the college game.