Oklahoma State University Athletics
Big 12 Men's Basketball Media Day
October 26, 2000 | Cowboy Basketball
Oct. 26, 2000
Head Coach Eddie Sutton
On the upcoming season:
"We feel like a bunch of gypsies, we are practicing all over town. This is the youngest team I have ever coached. We only have 3 players that ever played Big 12 games. Our young players are talented but have a ways to go. It has been a lot of fun though, I have always thought of myself as a teacher and I have gotten the opportunity to be a teacher."
On their young backcourt:
"Victor (Williams) and (Maurice) Baker are talented because of their quickness, and because of that quickness we can groom them. I think that these two guys will make us better in the backcourt defensively. They can also shoot better free throws than my point guard last year.
On Fredrik Jonzen as a leader:
"I think he leads by example, he is a very hard worker and does everything the coaching staff asks of him. As far as a vocal leader, that is something that he will have to learn because he is more reserved than some are.
On the construction of Gallagher-Iba Arena:
"It is going to be a marvelous facility, but it is testing our patience. I am hopeful to be in there and practicing by December 1st. If that happens then we can be playing games in it by the 19th of December."
Junior Fredrik Jonzen
On potentially being the "go-to" player this season:
"Of course it is a challenge. Since there are a lot of new guys we are going to need contributions from many people. We don't have a natural scorer so everybody will have to step it up."
On the loss of seven seniors:
"It is a totally different situation this season. We have a great group of guys, but I do miss everybody that we lost."
Sophomore Andre Williams
On the challenge of playing with so many young players and losing senior leadership from a year ago:
"I got used to having seven seniors around. I always looked at them to know what to do. With all of the new guys, they look at me and I have to know what to do now."
On practicing at different locations throughout the preseason:
"We don't really have a home right now. It is frustrating. I have to wake up every morning to see where we are at or check what time we are practicing at night. It is difficult, but we are adjusting to it."
