Wake Forest Athletics
Quotes From ACC Operation Basketball
10/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 22, 2006
Skip Prosser QUOTES
On having such a youthful roster
"We'd rather not be dependent on freshmen. We'd rather depend on men rather than kids. But that's the reality of the situation. It is the proverbial blank slate, with so many young guys. Everything is new to these kids. Each team is a unique situation. This group has been very willing to learn and try to get better. Our young guys have been so willing to listen and to learn. They really want to please.
"It's hard to gauge how they will do because right now they are playing against one another. There is a very pleasing level of hard work. They really want to make the coach happy. With a group this young it would be foolish to talk about long-range goals."
On Kyle Visser
"He always has a very good preseason. He has had some of his best games early in the year. Viss' challenge is to be consistency good. He's played well in practice so far. He has the advantage of having no choice. It's his last season. I'm hopeful he'll have that consistent, solid year.
"He's going to get an unbelievable opportunity this year to display his consistency, or lack thereof. He's a wonderful young man. He has great size, a good touch, he played on a great high school team. He's had a good career, but not a consistently good career. That's something he is aware of.
"I have great confidence in him. At the end of the day, when he's more productive, he'll also be more confident.
"Kyle is taking his time more. He's not hurrying through things. He has a better grasp of where he needs to be defensively."
On Kevin Swinton
"He has been as impressive in the first week of practice as anyone. He has a better understanding of what he needs to do to be successful. He's guarding better."
On the point guard position
"That position is so crucial. We're hoping that in a week or two that will settle down. Ish Smith is much talked about and he certainly hasn't disappointed. He can really push the basketball. He is a great listener and wants to be good. (Shamaine) Dukes is in the mix and Harvey Hale is probably our third option there."
Do you enjoy being an underdog?
"Not really. It's the way it is. I've never been around a team like last year that was so good, then not very good, then good again at the end of the season. We can't worry about the preseason predictions."
Who has stood out so far?
"Harvey Hale has been impressive the first week of practice. Kevin Swinton has had a good preseason. Michael Drum has been very productive in practice."
On goals for the season:
"We're trying to get to 1-0. With a young team we have to get better every day. In terms of goals, we want to compete well with James Madison Nov. 11. I just think we have to make this team as good as we can make it. I can't worry about what happens in January and February. I just want us to be better tomorrow than we are today."
On Jamie Skeen:
"Jamie Skeen will only be limited by himself. He has good length, a good shooting touch. I think he could become a terrific player. As true with any freshman, he needs to understand how consistently hard you have to play. I think he can be a very, very good player."
On scheduling a road game at Bucknell:
"It is chance to play a quality team with a recent tradition of winning 25 games per year. Should we be in a position in March to fight for an NCAA Tournament spot, I'm hoping our non-conference schedule, and where we play those games, will help us. The fact that my son is there had no bearing in the scheduling. In fact, while I'm looking forward to the game, I am not looking forward to that situation. The (NCAA) committee says they want to see you play games like this."
On the ACC:
"I think there is a lot of uncertainty, but one thing is certain is that there is a high, high level of player in this conference. There is a tremendous amount of talent among the players. There is a very high level of basketball in our conference again."
Michael Drum QUOTES
On teammate Kyle Visser
"Kyle shows those guys (the freshmen) how much hard work you have to do. He is a good example. They (the freshmen) feed off of us. They see us putting up extra shots after practice and lifting weights. Kyle has really worked on playing with his back to the basket. With Eric (Williams) gone, he has moved fully into the five spot. He's got to block shots for us this season. He worked tremendously hard this off season and it will show this year.
"In the past he was viewed as a back-up or second or third option. This year he's a go-to guy. I think this has given him a lot more confidence. If he's sitting down and yelling and calling for the ball, then I know he's got the confidence. I can read him like a book. I have seen him display confidence this year I haven't seen before."
On Michael Drum
"I am going to be steady, but I am also going to be more aggressive. I've got to slow down and get the ball inside, yet I'm more willing to take the shot this year."
On the point guard position
"Shamaine Dukes has matured a whole lot. I think he has realized that the coaches just want what's best for him. He's shown a whole new level of patience and maturity. Ishmael is one of the fastest players I've seen in my life. I think we have a great one-two punch this year with Dukes and Smith. Ish and Joe are totally different players. Ish is going to get us some easy baskets with his quickness."
Kyle Visser QUOTES
On teaching the freshmen
"The biggest adjustment for the freshmen is the time commitment. Most freshman go home or to their room after class and we go to practice. We work out in the morning before class. It's a big adjustment for a freshman.
"The new guys are very eager to learn. They bring a lot of energy and excitement to practice."
On what he did this summer to improve
"I went to the Pete Newell Big Man Camp. Many good players were there. When I went home, I worked with a strength and conditioning trainer. In this league, being strong is absolutely necessary. I put up a lot of shots. I've been trying to improve with my back to the basket. The Pete Newell Camp really helped with that."
On the preseason predictions
"I think the chip on our shoulder comes from being picked to finish 12th in the league by the publications. We will surprise some people this year."
On having a young team
"It's a fresh feel, an exciting time. The young guys have brought excitement and enthusiasm to the team."
On David Weaver
"I'm excited about him. Last year he showed some good things in practice. He's one of the most athletic big men I've ever seen. He's got every tool you need to be a professional player and the best part is he's just a freshman."
On being the underdog
"I don't know if I enjoy it. It does have it advantages in that people don't expect a lot out of is. I'm not excited about it, but rightfully so after what we did last year."
