10:47 a.m. — OKLAHOMA STATE
Sean Sutton just rambled for at least 90 seconds about his experience at the College Basketball Experience, which officially opens today here in Kansas City.
Consider me sold.
He says he’s energized for the start of the season even though it’s the same ‘ol song being played in Stillwater that’s being played throughout the league – nine Cowboys are freshmen or sophomores.
But his are awfully talented, led by McDonald’s All-American James Anderson, in part spawned from a renewed effort to recruit “good guys.”
“We have good guards,” Sutton said. “… I like this team’s potential. They are a group that has been very good about listening, about getting out and working hard. They’ve made a strong commitment to defense and playing hard.”
Now he’s talking about the importance of the postseason, about how teams will be remembered. There’s a philosophical tone he’s employing, and his first year on the job taught him a few lessons.
“I don’t think I was as good as when we were 15-1, but I also don’t think I was as bad as when we were struggling, in a tailspin,” Sutton said. “… I’ll be better this year than I was last year.”
Later, he defended his program, suggesting the recent spate of off-court issues is just that, an aberration.
Again, consider me sold.
10:28 a.m. — IOWA STATE
From one former Missouri Valley coach to another, at opposite ends of the spectrum. …
This has the potential to be one of the worst teams in the league – by far. That’s what happens when you have so much turnovers, six newcomers in all.
“We have some competition for playing time,” Greg McDermott said.
You’d certainly expect that. One of the league’s best unknown players, 6-foot-7 sophomore Wesley Johnson, has, according to his coach, added strength and improved his ball-handling. He played some point guard and off guard on a summer Athletes in Action tour; he might have to play three or four positions for the Cyclones.
Strength was probably the biggest weakness for Iowa State. McDermott said the Clones were taken advantage of last year, not built to compete in the Big 12. So everyone underwent the rigors of training. Jiri Hubalek, a nice but undersized post, gained 25 pounds of muscle, which should help.
“You have to be big and strong to be able to compete with the physical-ness of the league,” said McDermott, a quick study.
OK, coach, what else did you learn in Year 1?
“I learned that Doc Sadler is the biggest sand-bagger on the golf course,” McDermott said.
10:12 a.m. — TEXAS A&M
Maroon, the color of his tie, still looks strange on Mark Turgeon.
But he seems comfortable, and the move to the Big 12 seems to suit the former Shockers coach. What has to help the transition is the loaded state of the roster, who, despite the loss of Acie Law.
“It’s easier because we have good players,” Turgeon said.
In regards to some personnel issues, Donald Sloan will play some point, but he hasn’t been given the job just yet. He can score, Turgeon said, and Dominique Kirk has done a fine job as Law’s replacement. Joseph Jones’ knees are fine.
As for the newcomers, the new coach said DeAndre Jordan is a “big-time talent.”
It’s odd. One moment Turgeon is trying to downplay the impact the freshman forward might have, jokingly questioning his maturity, but the next, he’s touting how gifted he is.
“He has the most talent I’ve ever seen, but it’s raw talent,” Turgeon said.
The biggest jump from WSU to A&M? The athleticism, he said. Everything else hasn’t been a surprise. What he likes the most is when “the players care as much as the coaches.”
9:55 a.m. — NEBRASKA
Eight new players for Doc Sadler, which yes, is a lot.
But it’s the return of Aleks Maric, the conference’s best big man, that has Sadler pumped. That, and some other fundamental changes that should help the Huskers.
“We’re going to play more 94 feet than maybe we have before,” Sadler said. “We have to find a niche at Nebraska that’s maybe a little bit different.”
He doesn’t believe NU will be able to man up and defeat teams like Kansas, Texas and Texas A&M. “I’m not confused to think we’re going to line up with 13 players as good as some of the other teams,” he said.
The non-conference schedule is clearly geared to build confidence, as Sadler pointed out.
9:45 a.m. — TEXAS TECH
The General looks good, decked out in a light blue. But he’s answering questions Wednesday about the ALCS, rooting for “his guy” Eric Wedge since the St. Louis Cardinals – coached by his buddy Tony LaRussa – aren’t around.
Now he’s waxing poetic about coaching decisions, such as starting Tim Wakefield over Josh Beckett. Now he’s ranting about TV types, which is great.
“If Beckett were to win tomorrow, it’s all going to be about he can’t pitch another game,” Bob Knight said.
He’s hilarious – when he wants to be. He’s rolling with this baseball thing, that’s for sure. Then the topic turns to D. Wayne Lukas, another buddy of his.
“We may get through this whole thing and not talk about basketball,” Knight said.
Finally, when he’s asked something basketball-related, such as the impact of 6-foot-10 center Ricardo De Bern, he bristles, saying with such limited practices, he doesn’t know how good he is. But …
‘We didn’t bring (him) in to be a cheerleader,” Knight said.
And he kept going. Controversial? Sure. Intelligent? No question.
Amazing — only one question pertaining to basketball. Ladies and gentlemen, Robert Montgomery Knight.
9:31 a.m. — COLORADO
The toughest challenge is going to be spelling the new CU coach’s name.
It’s Jeff B-Z-D-E-L-I-K.
“I’m coming in with both eyes open,” he said.
This guy is going to be solid. Don’t believe me? He’s prepared, that’s obvious. He spewed out financial figures about how much a new basketball operations center (950K) will cost, how much a new locker room that is presently under construction will cost (750K). He stated, with confidence, about a new practice facility being built with three years – as it is apparently written into his contract.
“What do 18-year-olds want to see?”
He doesn’t have great expectations for Year 1.
“I understand where we are,” Bzdelik said. “We’re looking up at the league.”
He likes some of the talent already on hand, which helps in implementing his style of basketball.
“Marcus (Hall) and Richard (Roby) are excellent players,” Bzdelik said. “… It’s good to have them back.”
As for Roby, who struggled in 2006, Bzdelik said there many reasons his star didn’t play well last year.
“He didn’t shoot the ball well, but I don’t think it was a question of skill,” he said. “It was the quality of shot. It wasn’t all Richard’s fault, but now he has to be an active participant in his own rescue.”
His favorite phrase, based on Wednesday alone, is “desperate effort.” I love it. It works on so many levels.
9:15 a.m. — TEXAS
Nice look for Rick Barnes – no tie with his dark suit.
A sign of how relaxed he is? Not quite. He’s planning on ratcheting the intensity up even more, specifically on defense.
‘We haven’t been a good defensive team,” Barnes said.
Speaking of defense – terrible transition, I’m aware – the coach seems to be a little bit defensive, with the constant references to Kevin Durant’s departure. The Longhorns need to play a specific way, and that might have slipped a bit with a talent like Durant around.
Not anymore, and not with D.J. Augustin, who was fourth in the nation in assists (6.7 per game), around.
“D.J. had a phenomenal year, in terms of what he did,” Barnes said. “His family lost everything in (Katrina). … He was tired last year.”
Barnes likes his freshmen – especially the big men, who should help this season. Forward Gary Johnson, the Gatorade Player of the Year in Texas, has been cleared to play. Barnes calls him “a difference-maker.” As for returning players, he mentioned Damion James as someone to watch. If James could just be more consistent, the Longhorns would be fine. Justin Mason is the most improved player, he said.
One last thing – Barnes wasn’t asked directly about the Durant-Michael Beasley comparison/similarities, but he issued this comment:
“If anybody compares anyone (in the league) to Kevin, that’s a big mistake. Guys like that don’t come along too often. He’s the most improved player we ever coached in a three-month period. I don’t know if anyone is comparing anyone to Kevin Durant, but if they are, it’s not fair.”
Fair enough.
8:55 a.m. — MISSOURI
The adjustment is over for Mike Anderson – and the Tigers.
He’s hoping a beefed-up non-conference schedule should help.
“We have to play with urgency from Day 1,” Anderson said.
There’s a lot to like about Anderson, who’s kind of a badass, which is cool. You can see why recruits would want to play at Missouri.
Depth will be the key, the coach said.
Anderson wants more out of Marshall Brown, “a guy who has been playing in Big 12 for three years, hopefully become more consistent. … Maybe have a breakout year.”
Asked about Bill Self’s assertion that the Tigers might be the surprise team in the league, he kind of scoffed.
“I don’t know about sneaking,” Anderson said.
He’s more comfortable, and the horses are there – beginning with point guard Stefhon Hannah. If you thought he was good last year, if you thought the Tigers were good last year, wait until this season.
“We’re going to go faster this year,” Anderson said.
Buckle up.
8:40 a.m. — BAYLOR
Scott Drew is way, way too pumped up. He’s excited about the start of the season, but this dude would be excited if his dog died.
My veteran colleague, Rick Plumlee, had a couple of questions. For me, not Drew.
“Is there something wrong? Do people have to yell?”
Drew is talking about his newcomers, but haven’t we heard this before? It’s always about the new talent in Waco, but the results never seem to follow. Maybe this is the year. Drew is certainly excited about it.
If Baylor doesn’t take a step forward in the standings this year, “I’d be disappointed,” Drew said.
Man, he smiles a lot.
Curtis Jerrells was first-team all-conference? Unbelievable turn of events. News to me and several other media members in attendance. How does that happen? If a Bear is named first-team all-conference and no one realizes it, did it really happen?
Now he’s talking about reaching the postseason, which is commendable. You have to dream big, right?
8:25 a.m. — KANSAS
Bill Self is so country. Didn’t one of his players or recruits just say that? I think Mario Little, but I digress. He rolled into this ballroom at the Marriott, finishing the last bites of whatever he just ate for breakfast.
“It’s too early to be doing this,” Self said.
Ah, yes, there’s a theme developing.
First big topic he touches on is – drumroll, please – Brandon Rush. Self says Dec. 1 is still the date, but incredibly, the second question he’s asked if regarding football. A sign of the times, no doubt.
“I think it’s great what they’re doing,” Self said.
He’s talking about building depth, suggesting Brady Morningstar will see more playing time early, which seems hard to believe, doesn’t it? The topic switches to Sherron Collins, who Self hopes will be as good as he was in stretches, and then to the rest of the league, where Self thinks there will be much parity.
“… I think K-State is going to be very, very good,” Self said. “… They should get better as the year goes on.”
My veteran colleague, Rick Plumlee, yawns as he types. It happens again. He pauses, rubs his eyes, resumes typing but not before another yawn.
It’s too early to be doing this, man.
8:10 a.m. — OKLAHOMA
The best spot to be in at Big 12 Media Days for the coaches?
Eight a.m. slot. Little media, those that are here are groggy. OU’s Jeff Capel is taking advantage, the first coach on the podium. He’s talking about newcomer Blake Griffin, who Capel says “will be a good one for us.”
Peter Irwin, the moderator, almost apologizes for the lack of questions, saying, “It’s early for them, coach.”
Capel says the backcourt has to improve, which means he doesn’t have much concerns about the frontcourt. The Sooners should be decent, if only because they play so hard, which can be directly attributed to Capel, who is a good young coach. Sharp dresser, too.