On what has been essentially the most difficult factor that group has needed to deal with midway by the season
“I’d simply sum it up and say, there isn’t any query the toughest half for us is simply having a brand new group, together with the accidents, the continuity we simply have not been in a position to develop that. Now, the issues which have come alongside quicker, I believe sure guys have emerged, whether or not it’s Kyle [Filipowski] or Mark [Mitchell], that has helped the place the chance is there, they usually’ve taken it and run with it. However realizing, ‘alright, you are ultimately of the BC sport’, I’ve gotten requested a few questions on that — that is the primary time that group has been in that state of affairs. So, it is one thing we have continued to navigate. I like our guys attitudes and determining the best way to at all times get higher and to determine the best way to play with one another. However we have to take a step ahead now that. It is time and it is January such as you stated, we’re about midway by and I believe that is been the most important problem, and on the identical time, there’s been guys which might be forward of schedule. I discussed [Mitchell] and [Filipowski] and what Dariq [Whitehead] has finished late, I am happy with these guys.
On if he’s seen something on Pittsburgh’s movie that has shocked him
“Nothing that shocked me. It is simply they’re actually good. They’re actually good. And actually since that begin that they obtained off to, I believe it really made them higher, made them more durable. And [Jamarius Burton and Blake Hinson], they’re previous, they’re powerful, they will damage you in many alternative methods. So that they make it exhausting in your protection. They’ll unfold you and shoot, they will additionally assault the basket. And [Jeff Capel] has finished a tremendous job along with his group. He is finished an incredible job getting them prepared, getting them to consider and purchase into what the group wants. And we all know it’ll be a heck of a problem (tonight).
On whether or not he’s spoken to Jeff Capel lately
“Yeah, we have been in contact however not for the reason that final sport or no matter. Each of us are doing what’s finest for our group and getting our groups prepared. However we’ve mutual respect for one another. And we have had a friendship going again since actually over a decade. However he is getting his group prepared. And I am getting my group prepared.”
On utilizing disrespect as gas for the group
“I believe for me, it is, I knew from the start, this is able to be a course of. And the factor that I am at all times judging our group on and myself is, ‘are we competing? Are we doing the issues which might be obligatory so as to put together to be able to go?’ And also you hope these issues translate into profitable. However to assume with our group, a younger group, no person wins each sport, initially, and if you hit that adversity, if you do get knocked again, how do you reply? And actually any time that is occurred to us this yr, we have finished that. I am actually happy with our guys for it. I have been amazed. I am not on social media, so I do not see articles. I do not see what’s tweeted. I do not see something, so I am blind to it. However I can think about what’s on the market. And for our guys, they get lots of negativity. There simply is. There’s lots of negativity. And there is additionally people who find themselves extremely passionate and supportive of our program. And we’re grateful for these individuals. However I simply, I would like our group and everyone to rally round these guys. They’re giving their all, they’re working exhausting. It is not about the place you are at right now. Belief me, I need to be nearly as good as anyone, I need to win right now, I need to win tomorrow. But it surely’s about the place we find yourself and the place we end. And for our group, that’s an evolution. And if we stick collectively, we block out the noise, whether or not it is optimistic or unfavorable by the way in which, it may very well be that ‘Duke is so good’ and possibly we’re not that good. We have now to remain very even keeled and be hungry to work each single day. In order that’s the place my focus goes, and understanding the massive image of the place our program must get to and the place this group must get to”
On how Tyrese Proctor and Jaylen Blakes have been responding to extra duty throughout Jeremy Roach’s absence
“It is an on a regular basis factor serving to them enhance. We watch movie, we work with them on the courtroom. I believed Tyrese [Proctor] did a extremely good job of working our group. I believed he was able to shoot, he did not end the very best essentially, however that is not what we’re on the lookout for from him. He ran our group and obtained us in a extremely good place on protection, he battled. With Jaylen [Blakes], he is been a key man all yr for us and whether or not he is the principle ball handler on the courtroom or they’re on the courtroom collectively, they each are guys, we’d like them to make others higher. They usually’ve embraced that, they’ve finished it. After which Jaylen is nearly as good of a defender as we’ve. So for tomorrow evening, he can actually you recognize, his task might be on any of these guys. In order that’s the important thing for him and Tyrese, like I discussed, working our group.”
