Some notes from press conferences today:
- CDS is excited about the Full Steam Ahead renovations and thinks the Zelnak Center renos will be big for recruiting
- He's excited that Lance is coming back and the versatility that Lance gives us - not sure if he will start or not but he will for sure play a lot of minutes
- Kind of a non-answer when asked newcomers - seemed higher on the transfers than he seemed on the Freshmen
- Mentioned that he was excited about the leadership and experience from O'Brien when asked directly about him
- Kind words about his experiences with Dikembe
- Baye received his NIL payout on his trip to visit family in Senegal...CDS is most excited for emotional growth from Baye and has been preaching to Baye that he is the top of every opponent's scouting report this season (similar sentiments made for Nait - Nait is more physically fit and is shooting the ball better right now and hopes he can take the next step into becoming a leader)
- CDS plans to play Freshmen (no surprises here given last season) and was asked directly about Doryan O, who he says brings a different element to the team. DO can shoot/stretch the court.
- Souare - energy, effort, rebounding, can guard 1-5...defense-first guy
- Baye has been working on 3 point shooting and ball handling
- Feedback from NBA scouts was primarily around shooting
- Baye says the freshmen are ready to play
- Thinks Luke O'Brien's outside shooting ability is going to open up more opportunities for him
- Says Doryan O can play and shoot the ball and is going to help down low
- More focus on defense in practice this season
- Thinks the team has better chemistry than last season
- Lance got injured last season in September, probably returned a bit soon, popped his calf, did another workout before Cincinnati with the same fate and decided alongside CDS to shut things down and red shirt
- Lance is physically stronger, trying to get more consistent with his shot
- Loves what he sees from all the new guys but Javian McCollum and Doryan O got shoutouts
- Doesn't seem to expect to unleash a new skill set, just wants to be better at the things he's been doing
- Thinks opponents are going to have to worry about a lot more shooters this year
- Echoed Baye's comments on defensive emphasis, lots of energy guys and sounded like they plan to pick up guys in the backcourt/press more this season
- Offensive gameplan sounded very similar to last season - very spread, lots of pick and roll - pick, roll, pass to Baye, he scores or kicks to the wing for 3 if the defense helps
- Thinks Luke is a good communicator on the floor and very experienced
- Excited but also anxious, just typical first game jitter type stuff