My remembered comments of CM in response to questions are as follows:
1. CM apologized for the absence of his assistant coaches, but said that "they are out recruiting like I should be". I later asked the question about our recruiting intentions. CM said that: his goal is to recruit 3 players for the 2016 class, if he can find the right guys to supplement Tyson Jolly and acknowledging that Cal now is using 12 of its 13 scholarships. 2017 is going to be a very important recruiting year for Cal, with 4-7 scholarships available and the need to reload and retool.
2. The basketball team is doing very well academically, with Ivan and Jaylen singled out for their outstanding work during the Bridge Program which has been followed up this Fall.
3. CM likes team's to zone us, because (a) we are getting better at attacking it as we get more practice, and (b) CM feels comfortable that Jordan and Jabari are going to start making more 3's if they get the ball in rhythm and timely. CM admitted that not being able to practice against an effective zone is a negative.
4. When asked who was the leader of our team, CM responded by saying "really nobody" due to the personalities involved (but he did say that he has not been around a better bunch of guys ever). Then, he said that Jabari is starting to assert leadership and is highly respected by his teammates as someone who has fought through adversities and still maintained his cool and his focus.
5. Jabari was singled out as the most improved player. CM said that once he took the pressure off himself for not doing as well as he knew he could do, he started to perform at an elite level. CM said that he has told Jabari after he has missed a few of his first shots, to keep shooting, or I will bench you. CM said that long with Jordan, Jabari is the team's best shooter, and he needs him to do that during games, just like he does in practice.
5. Roman Davis is going to be a key player in the future, per CM. Roman is said to be a very good, all around player with great size and length and now is strating to show the benefits of Nic's S&C program. Roman supposedly gets into 2 fights a week in practice, but CM then said that you need at least 4 guys on a team like that who bring toughness to games, practices and the locker room. CM then volunteered that Tyson Jolly is that type of player too.
6. Moute was not put on the floor against SMC, because CM wanted to keep a lot of offensive fire power on the floor against a high scoring team who is hard to catch once they get a decent lead. But, CM said that Moute is going to get a lot of minutes as the season progresses.
7. Jordan Mathews is the best salesman for Cal with recruits.
8. Ivan will get the ball more, if he wants the ball more. Ivan needs to strengthen his lower body
9. Jaylen and Sam need to relax to take advantage of their considerable skills. Statistics confirm that Sam and Tyrone are more effective when they are playing together.
10. CM is stressing more ball movement and a quicker pace to the game. Also, CM wants his players to be more physical and fight through screens.
1. CM apologized for the absence of his assistant coaches, but said that "they are out recruiting like I should be". I later asked the question about our recruiting intentions. CM said that: his goal is to recruit 3 players for the 2016 class, if he can find the right guys to supplement Tyson Jolly and acknowledging that Cal now is using 12 of its 13 scholarships. 2017 is going to be a very important recruiting year for Cal, with 4-7 scholarships available and the need to reload and retool.
2. The basketball team is doing very well academically, with Ivan and Jaylen singled out for their outstanding work during the Bridge Program which has been followed up this Fall.
3. CM likes team's to zone us, because (a) we are getting better at attacking it as we get more practice, and (b) CM feels comfortable that Jordan and Jabari are going to start making more 3's if they get the ball in rhythm and timely. CM admitted that not being able to practice against an effective zone is a negative.
4. When asked who was the leader of our team, CM responded by saying "really nobody" due to the personalities involved (but he did say that he has not been around a better bunch of guys ever). Then, he said that Jabari is starting to assert leadership and is highly respected by his teammates as someone who has fought through adversities and still maintained his cool and his focus.
5. Jabari was singled out as the most improved player. CM said that once he took the pressure off himself for not doing as well as he knew he could do, he started to perform at an elite level. CM said that he has told Jabari after he has missed a few of his first shots, to keep shooting, or I will bench you. CM said that long with Jordan, Jabari is the team's best shooter, and he needs him to do that during games, just like he does in practice.
5. Roman Davis is going to be a key player in the future, per CM. Roman is said to be a very good, all around player with great size and length and now is strating to show the benefits of Nic's S&C program. Roman supposedly gets into 2 fights a week in practice, but CM then said that you need at least 4 guys on a team like that who bring toughness to games, practices and the locker room. CM then volunteered that Tyson Jolly is that type of player too.
6. Moute was not put on the floor against SMC, because CM wanted to keep a lot of offensive fire power on the floor against a high scoring team who is hard to catch once they get a decent lead. But, CM said that Moute is going to get a lot of minutes as the season progresses.
7. Jordan Mathews is the best salesman for Cal with recruits.
8. Ivan will get the ball more, if he wants the ball more. Ivan needs to strengthen his lower body
9. Jaylen and Sam need to relax to take advantage of their considerable skills. Statistics confirm that Sam and Tyrone are more effective when they are playing together.
10. CM is stressing more ball movement and a quicker pace to the game. Also, CM wants his players to be more physical and fight through screens.
