Post by azsod73 on Oct 14, 2013 12:29:42 GMT -6
Excerpts from a story written for the Volante, 10/08/13:
With four practices under its belt, the 2013 men’s basketball team is still searching for its identity.
“Defensively we’re trying to build an identity of a tougher basketball team that defends and rebounds better than what we have been in the past,” interim head coach Joey James said. “Once we do that I think this team has a chance to take off on their own.“
The team is looking for a new look on offense as well, James said.
“Offensively, we want to play fast,” he said. “We’re going to come right at you as fast as we can but be disciplined when we do it.”
Junior guard Brandon Bos said the adjustment to James as the lead man hasn’t been a tough transition.
“We’re adjusting very well,” Bos said. “James has been here for 11 years, and he’s always been very vocal in practice, even when Coach Boots was here. It’s been a very easy adjustment for us, and I think we’re doing very well, and we love his intensity.”
“Over the offseason, we worked on defense and rebounding that’s what Coach James has been stressing the most,” Bos said. “That’s where we’ve struggled in the Summit League. If we improve in those areas we can be really good because we have a lot of offensive talent.”
One familiar face for the Coyotes will be senior center Trevor Gruis who, along with Myles, was the only other Coyote to start all 30 games in 2012-13. Gruis averaged 12.3 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game last season, earning fourth-team All-Summit League honors.
“Trevor has taken some big steps for us,” James said. “We’ll lean heavily on him; he’s going to be a leader for us. He’s a guy that has to demand the ball more, so he has to make sure to get his post touches.”
With the role of replacing Myles, sophomore Trey Norris and first-year Rico Thompson will take over most of the minutes at point guard. Both players are very inexperienced, so the point guard position can be viewed as a question mark. However, James said both players have been impressive in practice and are going to help the team plenty this year.
“I never think you can replace a specific individual. Everyone has their own abilities. The one thing this year is our two point guards are going to manage the game better for us,” James said. “And those two should be able to get 13-14 points per game between the two of them.”
With four practices under its belt, the 2013 men’s basketball team is still searching for its identity.
“Defensively we’re trying to build an identity of a tougher basketball team that defends and rebounds better than what we have been in the past,” interim head coach Joey James said. “Once we do that I think this team has a chance to take off on their own.“
The team is looking for a new look on offense as well, James said.
“Offensively, we want to play fast,” he said. “We’re going to come right at you as fast as we can but be disciplined when we do it.”
Junior guard Brandon Bos said the adjustment to James as the lead man hasn’t been a tough transition.
“We’re adjusting very well,” Bos said. “James has been here for 11 years, and he’s always been very vocal in practice, even when Coach Boots was here. It’s been a very easy adjustment for us, and I think we’re doing very well, and we love his intensity.”
“Over the offseason, we worked on defense and rebounding that’s what Coach James has been stressing the most,” Bos said. “That’s where we’ve struggled in the Summit League. If we improve in those areas we can be really good because we have a lot of offensive talent.”
One familiar face for the Coyotes will be senior center Trevor Gruis who, along with Myles, was the only other Coyote to start all 30 games in 2012-13. Gruis averaged 12.3 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game last season, earning fourth-team All-Summit League honors.
“Trevor has taken some big steps for us,” James said. “We’ll lean heavily on him; he’s going to be a leader for us. He’s a guy that has to demand the ball more, so he has to make sure to get his post touches.”
With the role of replacing Myles, sophomore Trey Norris and first-year Rico Thompson will take over most of the minutes at point guard. Both players are very inexperienced, so the point guard position can be viewed as a question mark. However, James said both players have been impressive in practice and are going to help the team plenty this year.
“I never think you can replace a specific individual. Everyone has their own abilities. The one thing this year is our two point guards are going to manage the game better for us,” James said. “And those two should be able to get 13-14 points per game between the two of them.”