Tomorrow, for the third straight year, I will be attending the Pac-12’s Basketball Media Day. Can’t wait. In all honesty, it’s a little boring. I love the opportunity to go but there are platitudes abound. More gets said by the Guilty Remnant.
The fun part is reading between the lines. Like knowing Andy Enfield ripped UCLA and hearing him have to then praise UCLA. Or listening to Bob Dibler discuss Ed Rush and trips to Cancun. Basically, nothing will be said tomorrow that shocks us.
But what if it didn’t play out that way?
I’ve scripted the questions I’d like to ask and provided what I think coaches will respond with and what I wish they’d respond with.
Coach Miller, what does it mean to this team and this program to have the same point guard for two consecutive years – the first time in program history?
What he’ll say:
“What people forget is we’ve actually had him for three years. but certainly with TJ being on the floor during games for an entire year, we expect great things out of him and for this team.”
What I hope he says:
“Full credit to UCLA.”
Coach Alford, your roster has been thinned by academic barriers. How do you think this young group will be able to compete?
What he’ll say:
“On the surface it really seems that we’re young but between Bryce and Norman we have experience in one of the most important spots on the court – the guard spots. Further, Tony Parker has made great strides this off season.”
What I hope he says:
“This roster is flooded with talent.”
Coach Enfield, Dunk City ranked greater than 190th in FG% at the rim. Your teams make a concerted effort to make those shots – how have you improved?
What he’ll say:
“We’ve made additions to our roster to improve our athleticism. Additionally, we’re excited about Jordan McLaughlin’s ability to make quality decisions with the basketball in and around the paint for those same athletes to make plays.”
What I hope he says:
“I’m sure we’d dunk more in El Paso…amiright??”
Coach Altman, seems there’s a theme to your rosters in Eugene: high turnover, new guys. What’s the trick to your success with new guys year-over-year?
What he’ll say:
“It’s important that we establish roles early but that we also are elastic enough to adjust. We learn about what we’re good at as the season goes along. It’s revolves around trust.”
What I hope he says:
“Ask Joseph. He’s going to do all the work.”
Coach Sendek, last year it was 3/12/24 and you’ve said “sure, let’s do it.” Well are you going to? How does the departure of Jahii affect your ability to up the tempo?
What he’ll say:
“We’ve got some great new guards that are going to be competitive right away and really help us get shots up – good shots – quickly. We want to use our athletes to create early shots. Also, it’d be great to get Jonathan Gilling some open looks.”
What I hope he says:
“Have you guys seen Todd’s head set? Where does he come up with this stuff? What a crack up.”
Coach Martin, welcome to the conference. You like to board and defend, after David Kravish, who’s your best rebounder?
What he’ll say:
“I love what I’ve seen out of Ty thus far. He’s got great length and instincts around the basket. To me, size rarely matters when it comes to rebounding but rather it’s understanding court positioning and good old tenacity. Ty’s got that.”
What I hope he says:
“Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?”
Coach Romar, what is this team going to do better than last year’s?
What he’ll say:
“Defense is what we’ve emphasized the most in practice and the guys have really responded. I’ve seen great strides from Robert and Jernard in our front court and Nigel has really improved his lateral athleticism.”
What I hope he says:
“Have you seen my work on the recruiting trail? PAPA’S BACK!”
Coach Tinkle, welcome to the conference. You’ve got a lot of guys in brand new roles and far bigger roles than they’ve previously been in. What’s the most important thing for this group to do?
What he’ll say:
“Play hard. It’s an important piece of everything that any team does but we’re really a lot less experienced than these other teams. It’s exciting. We might not have the most talent on the floor each night but I guarantee you we’re going to play hard. We’ve gotta.”
What I hope he says:
“Everyone please join me in the lord’s prayer…”
Coach Dawkins, congratulations on the tournament appearance and success. How has this group of both new and experienced guys leveraged that success?
What he’ll say:
“It’s important that we understand last season’s success was the result of hard work. Believing that we can accomplish the things we set out to do when we dedicate ourselves to the process.”
What I hope he says:
“Can you repeat the question? I was just counting the bills from my contract extension…”
Coach Boyle, last season this group struggled following Spencer Dinwiddie’s injury. How will this group respond? What’s changed and/or improved?
What’ he’ll say:
“New season. We thought a lot about the end of last year. We made the NCAA tournament and we’re proud of that. Third straight year. But our showing there was less than impressive and our boys know that. It’s in the past, but has helped us realize how much work we’ve got. We’re going to have to be making basketball plays.”
What I hope he says:
“I miss Spencer so much.”
Coach Krystkowiak, a season ago you talked a lot about playing hard and it fed your team’s narrative. You were still a budding program. Today we find you projected in the NCAA tournament. How will your group handle these expectations?
What he’ll say:
“We’re still going to play hard. It’s what we’ve done all along and you’ve seen us improve each season. This year more people are recognizing how our work might be playing off. Doesn’t change the fact that we’ve got to play harder than other teams. We’re going to compete.”
What I hope he says:
“[subtle head gesture to Delon Wright]”
Coach Kent, welcome back. Your Oregon program took one of the quickest plunges we’ve seen: from the Elite 8 in 2007 to just eight wins in 2009. And now you’re at the helm of a program with lesser resources and heightened expectations in the wake of unprecedented success under Tony Bennett. What’s going to be different about this turn in the Pac?
What he’ll say:
“Great question. Really good question. Appreciate it. You know, we missed on a few recruits in Eugene and it seems both parties needed a change. I enjoyed my time on your side of this equation. But now I’m here and I’m energized and excited. The conference is as strong as ever and that’s something that’ll be used to our advantage. More kids are growing up seeing quality ball on this coast and we’re going to get them to be a part that action in Pullman.”
What I hope he says:
“Boom goes the dynamite.”