From ConferenceUSA.com:
Conference USA Basketball Media Day
[BTW, I won’t have a chance to listen in, so perhaps someone who does can fill us in this afternoon.]
GO NINERS!!!
This is very cool. They’ll have audio and video clips available afterwards.
I heard that they were not going to have this because the schools going to the Big East next year are already acting as if they’re already there: using stationery with the Big East logo, signs in the athletic office with the Big East logo, etc.
C-USA decided not to have a traditional media day, thus the teleconference instead of all the coaches, etc. meeting in Dallas. It is true that the conference shake-up had something to do with this.
[i]Originally posted by 49er1[/i]@Oct 26 2004, 09:21 AM [b] I heard that they were not going to have this because the schools going to the Big East next year are already acting as if they're already there: using stationery with the Big East logo, signs in the athletic office with the Big East logo, etc. [/b]Sounds right, although they are having a media day. It's via teleconference only apparently.
Transcript of Lutz’s comments:
[b]Bobby Lutz - Charlotte
On goals for this upcoming season.
I think we need to build on the success of our past teams. The fact that we have four returning starters gives us a great opportunity to do that. We took a trip to Canada in the preseason and we’re able to see, I thought, that each of the returning four starters had improved. That’s really the basis, if those guys will play at a higher level then they did a year ago, then that is going to give us a great chance at being successful. Our goal is to go back to the postseason into the NCAA tournament and to win more games, not just to get there, but to win. I think our experience is a big asset. From a year ago, the biggest area we need to improve is defensively, we need to be more consistent and we have to be able to score the ball inside a little bit better so that we are not so reliant on the three point shot.
On the newcomers to the team.
All of our new guys have a chance to help us, but I think E.J. Drayton has a chance to be a really special newcomer. He’s going to be our sixth man, probably most of the time. He could start and I really almost consider him a starter. I think he has a chance to be sixth man of the year in our league, because he can really score and he is so skilled offensively in addition to scoring, he can pass the basketball. He’s six eight, he can play either forward position, he’s just very versatile, he needs to be stronger to rebound the ball but offensively he is really skilled and a guy that can come off the bench and score points in a hurry and there is always room for a guy like that. Lee Goldwire and Chris Nance are the two other new guys. Lee is a freshman that can play either guard spot…he really is a tough competitor and is just a winner. He’s won throughout his high school career and that will really help us. Chris Nance is the ultimate role player for us, he is a very capable post player, he plays relentlessly, he rebounds, he knows how to guard and certainly can play if Martin (Iti) is in foul trouble. Chris Nance is a guy who can step in and I don’t think we will miss much. He won’t be the shot blocking presence but he’ll give us other things as far as defensive positioning, screening, and the ability to shoot the basketball out to fifteen feet.[/b]
Link: Bobby Lutz - Charlotte
Good comments, especially that each of the four starters is better and has improved over the summer.
News on Drayton, didn’t realize he was going to be so good this soon, Coach is calling him a starter in the 6th man role.
[i]Originally posted by amnesiac[/i]@Oct 26 2004, 12:12 PM [b] Good comments, especially that each of the four starters is better and has improved over the summer.News on Drayton, didn’t realize he was going to be so good this soon, Coach is calling him a starter in the 6th man role. [/b]
The coaches have been raving about Drayton since practice started. Instant offense at 6’8". No mention of Lewis. I wonder if he could be redshirting.
I love that Coach Lutz thinks Drayton could be the 6th man of the conference. We look to be in great shape in the post, just wish our guards were a little farther along but with the schedule as it is and the time in Canada they have ample opportunity to catch up.
[b] Lee Goldwire and Chris Nance are the two other new guys. [/b]This was from Coach after discussing Drayton. Did he just mis-speak? What about Lewis?
[b]No mention of Lewis. I wonder if he could be redshirting. [/b]
I thought the same thing. He should, if not he will never get a chance to start(unless they rotation or something).