Ross Hodge press conference summary post Coppin State
West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge addressed the media following the win over Coppin State and WVSports.com provides a summary of what was said.
–Hodge wasn’t pleased with how they started the game. It was the first time that this team has been together that they didn’t start fast and didn’t think they had it. They were a step slow defensively and they drove them early and they fouled them. They had some reactionary fouls early on. They’ve played a lot of these games and they were ready to roll and were physical and aggressive and they weren’t quite as sharp as they needed to be in the first half. They responded well in the second half. Jasper Floyd set the tone with his physicality rebounding the ball. They were more physical and did a good job keeping the ball in front of them and keeping the ball out of the paint in the second half.
–The way Coppin State was defending them they collapsed when they drove so it led to threes. If you could get past the initial line you could lay it up. They aren’t used to being guarded that way. Honor Huff found himself wide open a couple times early and it’s almost like it shocked him.
–Hodge said he will remember it being a struggle in the first half and the second half winning by as much as they did. They didn’t quite have the level of intensity and physicality that they need but this is a reminder. There are reminders every night in college basketball and if you don’t show up you can find yourself in dog fights with anybody.
–If you’re playing against an elite defense you might have to take the first shot because it’s the only one you might get that’s open. Some of it is turning down good shots to get great ones and tonight he felt that they took good shots tonight. They had 20 assists, 7 turnovers and 20 assists on 30 made baskets.
–Hodge said it wasn’t pre-planned to sub Amir Jenkins in early but it was just how the game went.
–Hodge said that when he first got the job and was doing the Caravan they felt it was important to reward that area of the state in Charleston and do it against a quality opponent. They are excited about it.
–Hodge said going from 8-10 players gives you a lot of different ways to play but he’s still learning this group and combinations. He is trying to figure out who they need to play if they need a bucket or a stop, but it’s fun and he’s thankful for it. One of the things a coach would be most thankful for is being able to coach the entire team for the year. It creates some different things. Some of the game will determine how any players he plays and what it does is it gives you depth and gives you options if somebody gets in foul trouble or isn’t playing as well that night. Even if you play fast, fast you’re probably only looking at 73-74 possessions a night so the more guys you have executing and doing what you’re asking them to do then you feel obligated to play everybody but if they aren’t they have to come over and be a good teammate on the bench.
—Chance Moore has the ability to get downhill and it’s something they hadn’t had. He is one of those guys that can start the break when he defensive rebounds or gets deflections.
–Hodge is excited to be whole and play against a really good team. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about themselves and his team in a great environment.
—Treysen Eaglestaff had been playing a really good floor game and has bought into doing the things that they’re asking him to do.
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