Sept. 24, 2008
What are your general thoughts on last year's team which set a school record with 31 wins, won the Big 12 title and advanced to the "Elite Eight?": It's simple. That team continued to get better every day, and they kept looking at ways to improve. It was as unselfish a group of guys as you could be with.
Although you return four starters and nine of your top 10 scorers from last year's team, you did lose a consensus first-team All-American in D.J. Augustin. How do you replace D.J.: You don't replace him and you're not trying to replace him. The same thing could be said of Kevin Durant, T.J. Ford, LaMarcus Aldridge and Daniel Gibson. We don't replace those guys. This is a new year with a different team, so roles will change.
For the first time since probably the 2003-04 season, you actually have some combination of depth and experience to work with. Has that been a benefit to your staff that you've been able to see through the spring and early this fall: Yes. They understand more now, especially the little things we always talk about, the attention to detail and doing their jobs every day. They understand that they have to compete every day, because they are competing for playing time.
A.J. Abrams enters his senior year as the top returning scorer in the Big 12 Conference and a player who has put it in the books for this program over the past three seasons. Does his role change at all this year, and what do you expect from A.J.: I do expect his role to change, because I expect A.J. to be better. He has improved every year that he has been here, and I expect him to be better this year. We've always counted on A.J. to do a lot of different things. People have made a big issue about him playing the point. There have been times in the past where he has handled the ball as much as anyone on the court.
Connor Atchley returns for his fifth season with the program after a breakout junior season in which he was one of the most improved players not only in the Big 12 Conference, but also nationally. What are your thoughts first on Connor completing his bachelor's degree and beginning graduate courses? After his play on the court last year, do expectations for Connor's production change heading into this season: We've watched Connor Atchley mature before our eyes over the last four years. If you know him, you wouldn't expect anything but for him to complete his degree and go further with his education. He's not one who is going to waste his time. He's always had a plan and tried to carry it out. On the basketball side, we absolutely expect Connor to get better and add to what he did last year. Everyone was happy for Connor last year, because he's a guy that always put in his work and time. He's a great teammate who is always willing to help others through situations that he's been through himself.
You have not been able to keep Justin Mason off the court during his first two seasons in Austin. What makes Justin so special to this program, and what areas do you expect to see improvement in his game this year: There is no area that Justin will not improve in, because he has so much pride in what he does. We can't keep him off the floor. Every team would love to have a Justin Mason. Justin has always put the team first, and there's nothing he will not do to help the team win.
Damion James is one of just six returning players nationally who averaged a double-double last year. Does Damion's role change this season in any way and how has his game expanded since the end of last year: Damion has continued to work very hard to get better in all areas of his game. Like every player on our team, we expect more of Damion. No one is going to expect more from any of our guys more than our staff and our players. Damion doesn't have a selfish bone in his body and has a great awareness of where he is with his game.
After what Gary Johnson had to battle through last year, how nice was it to see him at full strength during the spring and how does he factor into this team's rotation: Gary is a guy who can make a huge difference with our team. He has the ability to play inside and outside, and he certainly can defend both areas. We feel Gary can create matchup problems for people.
Dexter Pittman opened some eyes around the country with his play during the postseason run last year. How have you seen his game improve since the end of last season and what are you expectations from him this year: Obviously Dexter has continued to develop his conditioning and that has allowed him to do more from a basketball standpoint. We know how hard he has worked, but it's now time for him to put it in the books. Our expectations as a team have changed for Dexter.
Both Clint Chapman and Alexis Wangmene went through learning curves during their first year of college basketball last season. How much more comfortable are they now and do their roles change at all: Both of them had a typical freshman year. They showed signs of what they are going to be, but the consistency was not there. Both of them have been through it now, and we're expecting more consistency from both Clint and Lexi.
You get two guys back, Dogus Balbay and Matt Hill, who were unable to play due to injuries last season. What do each of them bring to your program and can they factor into the rotation: There's no question that people will pull really hard for Matt Hill, because we know what he has had to go through the last year and a half. Our players have great respect for Matt, because of the way he's stayed engaged through a really difficult time. He really had a very good freshman year. Because of his basketball IQ, there's no doubt that Matt will be a part of our rotation. Our players also have a great deal of respect for Dogus. He is fearless and tenacious. And I think anyone likes to play with someone that moves the ball the way he does. With his international experience, Dogus is way ahead of the game defensively. Offensively, he really understands what needs to happen from his position on the floor.
What role does Harrison Smith play on this year's team: Everyone is happy for Harrison. He has worked as hard as he has ever worked to put himself into position to be a factor with our rotation.
How does the addition of Varez Ward benefit your backcourt: We look at Varez along the lines of a Royal Ivey and a Justin Mason. Varez could very well be the most athletic player on our team. He has a group of guys in front of him that have been through what he is going through, being the lone freshman. Early on he has caught everyone's attention because of his sheer, mental toughness.
Despite last year's run to the Elite Eight, there seems to be a great deal of hunger and sense of urgency from both the returning players and newcomers. How do you explain this attitude to those outside the Texas program: That simply goes back to the character of our players and the infrastructure of our program, both on and off the court. Our current players understand and appreciate those who have come before them and the standard that has been set. We've got great people who have chosen to come to The University of Texas. We have a great staff that put the players first. Expectations are talked about here in every area, and all that carries over to what we expect on the court.
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