He was at the Racquet Club here in Memphis. As always Coach was super nice, very personable. It was a fairly small group so I think coach felt like he could open up a bit. Here's what he had to say:
About last year (and last year’s players)<span style="text-decoration:underline"></span>
-They really thought Sidney would be eligible last year. When the Arkansas game rolled around and he still wasn't eligible, they knew the ncaa would never clear him for the year.
-Sidney's nickname is "shug" - I think coach probably means suge, aka suge knight, but I'm just guessing. I tried to explain who suge knight was to coach so he could gain some street cred but whatever
-The Kentucky tourney game still makes him sick. He definitely thinks UK gets preferential treatment. Said the SEC assures him that type lane violation will be called this year (even though that's been the rule forever).
-They wanted to redshirt Lewis but couldn't because of depth issues
-Reik was completely clueless last year. Said the coaches would tell him to do things and he would always say "yes sir" when asked if he did it. They eventually realized "yes sir" was simply what he said when he didn't understand what they were saying...literally.
-Said Varnardo was told by the Heat to play in Italy for one year, then they would bring him back and sign him to a two year contract. I guess we’ll see about that. Said Varnardo complains about the food there (is there anything that guy actually likes to eat other than skittles?)
About this year (and this year’s players)<span style="text-decoration:underline"></span>
-Sidney is unbelievable. Easily the most talented player to ever play at State. IF he works hard, he will be a top 5 pick. Note: He said Jarvis couldn’t come close to guarding Sidney in the paint last year. In fact, he said he’s unguardable in the paint. My wool is thick with Sidney, which worries me.
-Said Elgin is STILL not 100% healthy. I didn’t realize he recovered from his ankle enough to almost play last February (they just thought it was too late in the year) but then he blow out his ACL?? That’s what he’s trying to recover from now? I missed that somewhere.
-Said he wants Benok to start because he’s a senior. I’m dead serious, that’s what he said. We’ll see.
-He told Kodi he was completely disappointed in his season last year and expects him to correct it this year.
-Told Ravern he’s an outstanding shooter but he better start changing the games in more ways than simply hitting shots. His way of saying Ravern’s defense better pick up I suppose.
-Said Brian Bryant’s JC coach said he’s the best leader he’s ever been around. Who did he pass to get that distinction? Brandon Vincent.
-Said Twanny’s better and don’t be surprised to see him and Bost playing at the same time so Dee can be more of a scorer (which he said Dee REALLY likes to do – just his way of saying Dee pouts when he doesn’t get to score much. No surprise there).
-Speaking of Dee. He said he told Dee last night and this morning he’s better count his blessings. Dee was this close to being done forever. He has a second chance and that Dee has nothing to complain about now. In fact he said, “Dee, I don’t want to hear anything negative out of your mouth again - ever.” He said Dee understands that (again, we’ll see). He also guaranteed that Dee would be back his senior year.
Interesting Tidbits<span style="text-decoration:underline"></span>
-They are trying to move a November game to December to get Dee eligible by the 1st SEC game
-They are going to play only one exhibition game this year but not until Dec 15th (I think). Why? So Sidney can play one game right before he’s eligible for the tourney games.
-Was asked about why kids transfer so much (at State and everywhere else) he said it’s a reflection on this generation. They have no patience and they don’t want to work for anything. Athletes are even worse because they are spoiled and the limited recruiting now makes it hard to evaluate a kid’s character like they use to. I didn’t know you can only go to 4 games per year of the recruit’s senior season? Check this out: he said he’s had two players (no names) over the last couple of years that 100% believed they would be one and done (worse case scenario, two years then done). Neither of those two players were good enough to even come off the bench. He said it’s an epidemic. No surprise there though.
About last year (and last year’s players)<span style="text-decoration:underline"></span>
-They really thought Sidney would be eligible last year. When the Arkansas game rolled around and he still wasn't eligible, they knew the ncaa would never clear him for the year.
-Sidney's nickname is "shug" - I think coach probably means suge, aka suge knight, but I'm just guessing. I tried to explain who suge knight was to coach so he could gain some street cred but whatever
-The Kentucky tourney game still makes him sick. He definitely thinks UK gets preferential treatment. Said the SEC assures him that type lane violation will be called this year (even though that's been the rule forever).
-They wanted to redshirt Lewis but couldn't because of depth issues
-Reik was completely clueless last year. Said the coaches would tell him to do things and he would always say "yes sir" when asked if he did it. They eventually realized "yes sir" was simply what he said when he didn't understand what they were saying...literally.
-Said Varnardo was told by the Heat to play in Italy for one year, then they would bring him back and sign him to a two year contract. I guess we’ll see about that. Said Varnardo complains about the food there (is there anything that guy actually likes to eat other than skittles?)
About this year (and this year’s players)<span style="text-decoration:underline"></span>
-Sidney is unbelievable. Easily the most talented player to ever play at State. IF he works hard, he will be a top 5 pick. Note: He said Jarvis couldn’t come close to guarding Sidney in the paint last year. In fact, he said he’s unguardable in the paint. My wool is thick with Sidney, which worries me.
-Said Elgin is STILL not 100% healthy. I didn’t realize he recovered from his ankle enough to almost play last February (they just thought it was too late in the year) but then he blow out his ACL?? That’s what he’s trying to recover from now? I missed that somewhere.
-Said he wants Benok to start because he’s a senior. I’m dead serious, that’s what he said. We’ll see.
-He told Kodi he was completely disappointed in his season last year and expects him to correct it this year.
-Told Ravern he’s an outstanding shooter but he better start changing the games in more ways than simply hitting shots. His way of saying Ravern’s defense better pick up I suppose.
-Said Brian Bryant’s JC coach said he’s the best leader he’s ever been around. Who did he pass to get that distinction? Brandon Vincent.
-Said Twanny’s better and don’t be surprised to see him and Bost playing at the same time so Dee can be more of a scorer (which he said Dee REALLY likes to do – just his way of saying Dee pouts when he doesn’t get to score much. No surprise there).
-Speaking of Dee. He said he told Dee last night and this morning he’s better count his blessings. Dee was this close to being done forever. He has a second chance and that Dee has nothing to complain about now. In fact he said, “Dee, I don’t want to hear anything negative out of your mouth again - ever.” He said Dee understands that (again, we’ll see). He also guaranteed that Dee would be back his senior year.
Interesting Tidbits<span style="text-decoration:underline"></span>
-They are trying to move a November game to December to get Dee eligible by the 1st SEC game
-They are going to play only one exhibition game this year but not until Dec 15th (I think). Why? So Sidney can play one game right before he’s eligible for the tourney games.
-Was asked about why kids transfer so much (at State and everywhere else) he said it’s a reflection on this generation. They have no patience and they don’t want to work for anything. Athletes are even worse because they are spoiled and the limited recruiting now makes it hard to evaluate a kid’s character like they use to. I didn’t know you can only go to 4 games per year of the recruit’s senior season? Check this out: he said he’s had two players (no names) over the last couple of years that 100% believed they would be one and done (worse case scenario, two years then done). Neither of those two players were good enough to even come off the bench. He said it’s an epidemic. No surprise there though.
