Ross Hodge press conference summary post Wheeling
West Virginia head coach Ross Hodge addressed the media following the exhibition game against Wheeling and here is a summary of what was said.
–Hodge had a lot of respect for that Wheeling team. They respect everybody but fear no one. He appreciate everybody coming out on a Sunday afternoon for an exhibition and that’s what makes this place special. It was fun to be out there and put the jerseys on for the first time in front of the fans. Defensively they were fairly consistent and took them deep into the shot clock. They can challenge you and put you in space but they did a good job not getting spread out. He wasn’t happy with how they started out of halftime but they got back in the flow and thought the defense was good enough.
—Harlan Obioha and Brenen Lorient did a great job and he’s happy that they got out there but in a lot of ways he’s glad that it’s over.
–Defense did a good job getting back in transition and did a good job turning them over in the first half.
–There is a gravitational pull with Honor Huff and Treysen Eaglestaff on the floor. Huff opens things up for his teammates and same with Eaglestaff. It’s a good indicator of who Huff is that on a night he wasn’t shooting well that he had the highest +/- in the game.
–West Virginia knew they were going to play a lot of guys in this game so there wasn’t a lot of things planned with the rotations.
–Maryland double teamed the post and those two guys are really willing passers so you have to pick your poison. If you don’t the bigs get one-on-one in the post.
–Hodge didn’t like the way his defense started the second half and there was some ticky tacky fouls that bailed them out. The defense when it was in tact it forced them into tough shots. All in all, Hodge felt that the effort was pretty good.
–Hodge said getting his first win in here is incredible. Just to see the support even last night at the football game and that is something that can separate them and given them an advantage because of the passion of the fan base.
–Hodge liked his team’s togetherness and the bench was good in both this game and the scrimmage. They were playing for West Virginia and not doing stuff they don’t typically do outside of practice. They played as well as possible offensively in the scrimmage but even today when shots weren’t going in guys were responding well and it was a connected group.
–It was the first career start for Lorient and he was happy for him and he is thrilled that he came with him. He talks about how grateful he is but Hodge is equally grateful for him. He was a first-team all-league player last year and never once mentioned starting or brought it up so that’s the heart and embodiment you want for an entire program.
–Harlan Obioha is a large man, amongst large men. He is a big target and he gives you the ultimate what are you going to do when the ball is thrown down there into him and you have to make a choice. If you guard him one on one he’s going to score or get fouled. He is getting in better shape and better condition. The changes he’s made to his body and the forwards are a central focal point of your defense. His ability to be where he is supposed to be in ball screen coverages and be a foundational piece is good to see. He has good feet and great size on defense so it’s about gauging the appropriate amount of defense.
—Amir Jenkins is banged up a little bit and will play with the shoulder brace. He gives you a different punch. Jasper Floyd is so in control and Amir is that downhill burst presence. As the game went on he played better and better. He was a little nervous to start the game but he settled in and really got in the paint and found people.
–They need to have their best week of practice and take what they can from this and learn from it. Once Tuesday gets here there won’t be a lot of time for practice so it will be very important.
–Jasper Floyd and Brenen Lorient really believe in what they’re doing and have taken ownership in it. Floyd plays at his pace and doesn’t do anything fast.
–West Virginia will have an exact timeline on Jackson Fields around Monday they’re getting back his strength and flexibility. They will miss Chance Moore. You lose a versatile piece. He gives you the ability to go bigger and play on the perimeter but the small ball lineups he can play a four. He is a downhill driver that draws fouls but they’ll have to find a way to do it without him for five games. He thinks you’ll see some more traditional four guard lineups while Moore is out and some other guys will be playing.
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