Oklahoma State University Athletics
Basketball Media Day Quotes
October 28, 2002 | Cowboy Basketball
Oct. 28, 2002
Stillwater, Okla. -
Basketball Media Day
Player Quotes
October 28, 2002
Head Coach Eddie Sutton
On last year's team
"I don't think we appreciated Maurice Baker and Fredrik J?nz?n as much as we should have. I didn't think Bryant Reeves would play at this stage, but he did. We lacked the depth that we have this year. When Mo went down, we just went 8-8 the rest of the season.
"The whole league will be a whole lot better than it was last year. Especially when you go on the road, there are no gimmees. You have to be ready to play.
"The last two years, we haven't done as well as we have in the past, but I think anymore it's an accomplishment just to make the tournament because of the number of good teams out there. I think you can spoil your fans.
"Cheyne Gadson wants to make a home run play when sometimes all we need is a single and he turns the ball over as a result.
"Ivan McFarlin has developed some range. He is shooting the ball better from 12-15 feet. He gets his feet set and balanced better than he did a year ago."
On OSU's players
"It will take our juco players a little while to blend in. I think that Tony Allen and Janavor Weatherspoon are both people who can step in and help this ball club.
"It's still up in the air, and the starters will change, possibly on a game-to-game basis. Right now, I would say after (Ivan) McFarlin, Victor (Williams) and Melvin (Sanders), (Cheyne) Gadson will challenge for a position, and the other one would be between Andre Williams and Jason Miller if we tipped off tonight.
"Frans Steyn is going to play some, but I really believe that he's still a year away from really being productive. You never know about big guys, sometimes it just clicks. He is good defensively and at rebounding in drills, but you surround him with guys and he just doesn't perform the same way.
"I think that Victor (Williams) is the emotional leader of this team. He's always fiery. We've got one in Onye (Ibekwe), but I don't know how much he's going to get to play."
On this season
"We are not as far along as we thought we would be at this point. The loss of Terrence Crawford hurt us because Crawford was in the best shape (of his career) and I think he would have been a starter for us. I just haven't been very pleased with the progress so far. I think in time, we will be all right defensively."
"We are a good rebounding ball club. Right now, we are struggling to get points on the board. Even those with experience that you would think had the experience to go out, even this early, aren't getting it done. We are having trouble executing, and even when we do, we aren't shooting the ball well."
"It's been two weeks and it's hard to make a true evaluation of where you will be a month from now. Right now, I can't see anyone on our team averaging in the high teens in scoring. Somebody might get to the mid teens, McFarlin possibly could do that. He has a good chance, and Victor (Williams) might could do that."
"We might have to play ugly for a little while due to lack of scoring. I don't think I have had a team this offensively challenged, and lacking such fire power since I've been back here. I think we will press a lot more. Our biggest problem is when we get into a half-court set, we can't execute properly. "
"Right now, we have a lot more 'hickeys' than 'stars'. We aren't taking very good care of the basketball and that just adds to our offensive problems, when you don't get very many opportunities."
Junior Forward Ivan McFarlin
On his overseas trip with the Big 12 All-Stars
"Over the offseason, I did a little traveling. It was interesting, but also cultural. It was spiritual and quite beautiful. When we got down there, we had to realize we were representing the Big 12 and we really had to show those (people) overseas that the Big 12 really is one of the most dominant conferences."
On his production this year over last year
"Last year, there were some things I needed to work on. This summer, I worked on my shot a lot more, free throws and rebounding. Even with my success rebounding, there are better rebounders out there. I wanted to go out there and learn some new techniques. Last year, we had Fred (J?nz?n), and he was a great shooter. With him gone, I have to step up and run the court a lot more."
On this year's team
"We are going to be a lot more athletic, but also better than we were last year because last year we relied too much on Mo (Baker) and Fred (J?nz?n). This year, we have a lot more people who can step up like myself, Andre Williams and Cheyne (Gadson). If we will just listen to the seniors, we will be a very surprising team to a lot of people."
On the strength of the Big 12
"The Big 12 Conference will be good. Even though teams lost good players, they have strong benches and will be very good. Even the bottom teams, Baylor, Kansas State and others, will be very strong. We need to bring our 'A' game every time we play. There is no room for error. One loss can really affect the Big 12."
Senior Guard Victor Williams
On the team so far
"I think everyone is just trying to get to know each other. Defensively, I think we are going to be a very good team. Offensively, we are still trying to find our place. It's just been two weeks of practice, so we have plenty of time."
On offense
"I think we will become good offensively. Right now, we have a bunch of guys that are still trying to learn the system. Coach demands so much, especially offensively. You've got to be in the right spot at the right time. Everyone is just trying to catch on right now. We will become a good offensive team."
On the team's progress
"I feel very confident that this team is going to come around. Like I said, we have a bunch of new guys that are really going to help us. When new guys come into the system, you have to really be patient with them. You can't throw everything at them at one time. I think that is what coach is doing. He is not throwing everything at them, but he is trying to gradually move them along. "
On his leadership role
"Yes, this is my team. I am a senior point guard, so this is my team. A lot of things happened last year because I don't think there was enough leadership on the floor. I take full responsibility for that, but I am not going to let that happen again."
On getting past the first round
"Since I have been playing here, we haven't gotten past the first round. That is something that has been bugging me, to know that if we don't advance past the first round this year, it's all over."
On his expectations
"Making the tournament is automatic. That is something that is definitely going to happen. We are a good enough ball team to get into the (field of) 64 teams. We're not just saying make the tournament, we want to advance in the tournament. I definitely want to be playing our best basketball in March."
On the team's athleticism
"I think that (athleticism) is what the advantage of this team is - we get out and run. When we run it, we are at our best. We're going to have to get in a half court game, but when we are up in the passing lanes and getting out and pressuring people, that will be to our advantage."
Senior Guard Cheyne Gadson
On his game
"The game I played at OU is more my game. I like to look to my throwing ability. This year, I will continue to do that more."
On the team's style
"It is kind of hard adjusting when you have new guys in the mix. We are struggling in our half-court offense. The run and gun game is more of our style of play."
On last season's finish
"It doesn't feel right going out in the first round, especially with the talent that we had. It doesn't sit right in my stomach, so I am going to go out this year and try to contribute to the team."
Senior Forward Andre Williams
On being a senior
"This is my last go around. I have to come out and make it a good one."
On the team's style of play
"We're a good team in transition. We have a lot of athleticism, especially at our guard spots and even with our big men. Were kind of undersized, but we can run the court well."
On his expectations
"I have been to the tournament before. I have been there every year since I've been here. My freshman year, I was fortunate enough to make it to the Elite Eight, and that is something I want to do again."
Junior Forward Jason Miller
On offense
"I think we need to adjust to the new players. Everyone has to find their roles on the team. I think we will be okay."
On his role
"My role is kind of the role Fred (J?nz?n) had. Fred was a good leader on the court, a pretty good shooter and he was a good all-around player."
