JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
THE MODERATOR: We're joined by
coach Fran McCaffery. Coach, an opening
statement.
COACH MCCAFFERY: Obviously we're
very optimistic about this year's team. Recognize
the position we're in and welcome the challenge.
I've not had a team in my entire career that is this
deep.
I think we have to make sure that we're
able to rotate personnel in a way that maximizes
our effectiveness. But I think we have a great level
of maturity on this team and we're really looking
forward to it.
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. Can you kind of talk about how
Devyn Marble has elevated his level of play
since really the middle part of last season?
And what do you expect from him this year in
taking another step forward?
COACH MCCAFFERY: I think it's critical
for our team that he do exactly what you just said:
Take another step forward.
The thing about him is he will put the time
in to make that happen. Incredibly hard worker.
And that's how he worked his way out of the slump
he was in midway through last season.
He got back in the gym. He came early.
He got extra shots up. Really studied film, and
he's a student of the game. And I think at this
point he's feeling really good about himself.
He had a great trip overseas. Played six
games in August. He's been practicing extremely
well. He's been very consistent. And that's what
we need from him this year.
Q. Talk to me a little bit about your
offensive skill level at shooters. You've
obviously been very good defensively. What
have you done to try to develop perimeter fire
power?
COACH MCCAFFERY: You know, it's
interesting. You look at our team last year, and
clearly you look at the defensive numbers and you
see that's why we won 25 games.
The offensive numbers would not equate
to that number. We were a little surprised,
because we felt like, particularly with Zach McCabe
and Josh Oglesby, doing what they did the
previous year, you expect them to be around the
same numbers. They were not. I think they'll
come back to something close to those numbers.
Zach was 41 as a sophomore; Josh, 39 as a
freshman.
So both those guys worked extremely
hard. They're in great shape. Now one's a junior
and one's a senior. I think those two in particular
will have big years.
I think you'll see Gesell and Marble in
particular. Mike's a sophomore now, and Marble's
numbers went up from his sophomore year, so
those guys will be solid. I think the addition of
Jarrod Uthoff and Peter Jok, both excellent
shooters, phenomenal shooters, both of them.
When you couple that with Aaron White's
ability to score and Melsahn Basabe's ability to
score, and pretty much if you look at the 11 guys
we're going to play, all of them can score points, all
of them are capable of double-figure games.
I think you'll see a completely different
Adam Woodbury and Gabriel Olaseni in the 5 spot
as scorers.
So now it takes the defense's ability away
from being able to get up into the guys that they
expect to make shots.
I think what you'll see is a much more
well-rounded offensive team, and I think we'll shoot
the ball just fine.
Q. Can you just talk about how Gabriel
Olaseni has progressed since he's gotten into
Iowa City and how he can challenge Woodbury
for some more minutes than he may have
gotten last year?
COACH MCCAFFERY: The thing about
Gabe, obviously when he came here he didn't
have a lot of basketball in his background. But
when you're 6'10" with a 7'3" wing span and
maybe the fastest guy on the team, the only thing
that you need to see is a work ethic that is going to
be required to reach the potential that he has, and
he has one of the greatest work ethics I've ever
been around. So what you're seeing is a guy who,
as a freshman, he got some minutes. He got his
feet wet.
As a sophomore, he was instrumental in
some of our big wins. Played a lot more.
And I think this year what you're going to
see is a much more complete player. He's an
unbelievable offensive rebounder. He runs the
floor extremely well and he can finish with either
hand.
He's also developed about a 12- to 15-foot
jump shot that has been very good, which will
really set up his drive because he has an
unbelievable first step.
So there's no question that those two
guys, in particular, will have much greater impact
on our team, and what happens in practice every
day is that they really go after each other.
Gabriel Olaseni has made Adam
Woodbury a better player and vice versa.
Q. Aside from Devyn Marble, who will
you be leaning on to, A, help establish your
team identity, and, B, as a big defensive
presence?
COACH MCCAFFERY: I think the next
guy we would look at would be Aaron White.
Obviously had an amazing summer playing for the
United States team and also traveling with us.
He's also a junior. He's our
second-leading returning scorer. You would not
have looked at him as a defensive presence as a
freshman. More of a steals guy who could
rebound. But now you're seeing somebody who
really understands the game and can impact the
game defensively and offensively. Truly
understands how to win. So I think he would be
the guy.
And I think you look at Mike Gesell as well.
Incredibly hard worker, can put pressure on the
basketball. Can guard a 1 or 2 and can make
shots in traffic, can make shots late. I think those
two guys, and the next one would be Basabe.
What we'll see with him is a guy who will have his
senior year commensurate with what we saw when
he was a freshman. Sophomore year wasn't so
good. Last year substantially better. Completely
different level of maturity. Physically ready to go.
And obviously we've seen the incredible talent that
he has.
Q. Over the last four or five years in
your career, the wins for your seasons for the
teams that you've been, from Siena to now,
continue to rack up 25, 26 wins a season. Was
there an adjustment for you trying to build off
of the success at Siena to this past year? Is
there something you leaned on from your prior
position to what you're doing now at Iowa, and
have you seen a change in yourself in maybe a
coaching style or coaching philosophy that's
kind of helped you keep success where you've
gone the last few years?
COACH MCCAFFERY: I think it's more a
function of the places where I've gone. We went to
Greensboro, we went to Siena and went to Iowa,
you know, the programs were struggling at that
time. And the administration was looking to me to
sort of solidify what we were doing, build a
program.
I've never taken a shortcut approach. We
primarily built it with incoming freshmen. We
believed in the guys who remained. I think so
often you hear a guy takes a job and, okay, when
you get your own guys in there, things will get
better. I always looked at it like this: The minute I
take that job, whoever is there, they're my guys.
Whoever I bring in, they're my guys. And together
it will build it step-by-step. And we won't succumb
to pressure. You're not moving it quickly enough.
I look at it like this: There's only one way
to do it, and that's the right way. You've got to
teach your guys and get them to buy into your
philosophy. Obviously we play fast. We want guys
willing to play fast. But we don't play nuts. So
you've got to make sure you understand we know
how to do that.
We're going to recruit. We're going to
recruit hard. We're going to involve our players in
recruiting; that's the most important thing. We'll
recruit student-athletes who are going to compete
and be able to handle the pressures that come
with competing at this level.
What's been successful for me so far, I'm
also smart enough to know that you have to
surround yourself with really good staff members.
So wherever I've been I've had smart, talented
coaches along with me.
When you have character on your team
and intelligent coaches, you can usually win.
Q. What do you think of the new rules,
the block charge and the defending the player
with the ball, and what effect do you think it will
have on the game?
COACH MCCAFFERY: It appears to me
it's going to have a tremendous effect on the
game. It only stands to reason there will be a lot
more fouls called out and away from the basket.
What I don't want to see is touch fouls away from
the basket and guys getting mugged off the ball,
because that won't work.
I've been saying for years we need to
clean up those collisions at the rim. So I think that
is brilliant what they're doing there, to protect the
driver. Too many guys that were talented enough
to go by their man and three guys falling down
before the guy even got to the rim.
So I think to clean up those collisions at
the rim is a great thing. It will be interesting to see
if the moves out front and the touch fouls will be
sustainable.
I think in theory it will work. In practicality it
may make the games long and grueling, and it may
have an adverse effect with regard to we're trying
to open up the game and teams may have to play
more zone because you have to protect your guys
who are in foul trouble.
So I think when it's all said and done, we
really don't know what's going to happen. But I like
the thought process. I'm an offensive guy. We're
going to drive the ball to the basket. So those
rules would in theory help us. So we'll see how it ends up
coach Fran McCaffery. Coach, an opening
statement.
COACH MCCAFFERY: Obviously we're
very optimistic about this year's team. Recognize
the position we're in and welcome the challenge.
I've not had a team in my entire career that is this
deep.
I think we have to make sure that we're
able to rotate personnel in a way that maximizes
our effectiveness. But I think we have a great level
of maturity on this team and we're really looking
forward to it.
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. Can you kind of talk about how
Devyn Marble has elevated his level of play
since really the middle part of last season?
And what do you expect from him this year in
taking another step forward?
COACH MCCAFFERY: I think it's critical
for our team that he do exactly what you just said:
Take another step forward.
The thing about him is he will put the time
in to make that happen. Incredibly hard worker.
And that's how he worked his way out of the slump
he was in midway through last season.
He got back in the gym. He came early.
He got extra shots up. Really studied film, and
he's a student of the game. And I think at this
point he's feeling really good about himself.
He had a great trip overseas. Played six
games in August. He's been practicing extremely
well. He's been very consistent. And that's what
we need from him this year.
Q. Talk to me a little bit about your
offensive skill level at shooters. You've
obviously been very good defensively. What
have you done to try to develop perimeter fire
power?
COACH MCCAFFERY: You know, it's
interesting. You look at our team last year, and
clearly you look at the defensive numbers and you
see that's why we won 25 games.
The offensive numbers would not equate
to that number. We were a little surprised,
because we felt like, particularly with Zach McCabe
and Josh Oglesby, doing what they did the
previous year, you expect them to be around the
same numbers. They were not. I think they'll
come back to something close to those numbers.
Zach was 41 as a sophomore; Josh, 39 as a
freshman.
So both those guys worked extremely
hard. They're in great shape. Now one's a junior
and one's a senior. I think those two in particular
will have big years.
I think you'll see Gesell and Marble in
particular. Mike's a sophomore now, and Marble's
numbers went up from his sophomore year, so
those guys will be solid. I think the addition of
Jarrod Uthoff and Peter Jok, both excellent
shooters, phenomenal shooters, both of them.
When you couple that with Aaron White's
ability to score and Melsahn Basabe's ability to
score, and pretty much if you look at the 11 guys
we're going to play, all of them can score points, all
of them are capable of double-figure games.
I think you'll see a completely different
Adam Woodbury and Gabriel Olaseni in the 5 spot
as scorers.
So now it takes the defense's ability away
from being able to get up into the guys that they
expect to make shots.
I think what you'll see is a much more
well-rounded offensive team, and I think we'll shoot
the ball just fine.
Q. Can you just talk about how Gabriel
Olaseni has progressed since he's gotten into
Iowa City and how he can challenge Woodbury
for some more minutes than he may have
gotten last year?
COACH MCCAFFERY: The thing about
Gabe, obviously when he came here he didn't
have a lot of basketball in his background. But
when you're 6'10" with a 7'3" wing span and
maybe the fastest guy on the team, the only thing
that you need to see is a work ethic that is going to
be required to reach the potential that he has, and
he has one of the greatest work ethics I've ever
been around. So what you're seeing is a guy who,
as a freshman, he got some minutes. He got his
feet wet.
As a sophomore, he was instrumental in
some of our big wins. Played a lot more.
And I think this year what you're going to
see is a much more complete player. He's an
unbelievable offensive rebounder. He runs the
floor extremely well and he can finish with either
hand.
He's also developed about a 12- to 15-foot
jump shot that has been very good, which will
really set up his drive because he has an
unbelievable first step.
So there's no question that those two
guys, in particular, will have much greater impact
on our team, and what happens in practice every
day is that they really go after each other.
Gabriel Olaseni has made Adam
Woodbury a better player and vice versa.
Q. Aside from Devyn Marble, who will
you be leaning on to, A, help establish your
team identity, and, B, as a big defensive
presence?
COACH MCCAFFERY: I think the next
guy we would look at would be Aaron White.
Obviously had an amazing summer playing for the
United States team and also traveling with us.
He's also a junior. He's our
second-leading returning scorer. You would not
have looked at him as a defensive presence as a
freshman. More of a steals guy who could
rebound. But now you're seeing somebody who
really understands the game and can impact the
game defensively and offensively. Truly
understands how to win. So I think he would be
the guy.
And I think you look at Mike Gesell as well.
Incredibly hard worker, can put pressure on the
basketball. Can guard a 1 or 2 and can make
shots in traffic, can make shots late. I think those
two guys, and the next one would be Basabe.
What we'll see with him is a guy who will have his
senior year commensurate with what we saw when
he was a freshman. Sophomore year wasn't so
good. Last year substantially better. Completely
different level of maturity. Physically ready to go.
And obviously we've seen the incredible talent that
he has.
Q. Over the last four or five years in
your career, the wins for your seasons for the
teams that you've been, from Siena to now,
continue to rack up 25, 26 wins a season. Was
there an adjustment for you trying to build off
of the success at Siena to this past year? Is
there something you leaned on from your prior
position to what you're doing now at Iowa, and
have you seen a change in yourself in maybe a
coaching style or coaching philosophy that's
kind of helped you keep success where you've
gone the last few years?
COACH MCCAFFERY: I think it's more a
function of the places where I've gone. We went to
Greensboro, we went to Siena and went to Iowa,
you know, the programs were struggling at that
time. And the administration was looking to me to
sort of solidify what we were doing, build a
program.
I've never taken a shortcut approach. We
primarily built it with incoming freshmen. We
believed in the guys who remained. I think so
often you hear a guy takes a job and, okay, when
you get your own guys in there, things will get
better. I always looked at it like this: The minute I
take that job, whoever is there, they're my guys.
Whoever I bring in, they're my guys. And together
it will build it step-by-step. And we won't succumb
to pressure. You're not moving it quickly enough.
I look at it like this: There's only one way
to do it, and that's the right way. You've got to
teach your guys and get them to buy into your
philosophy. Obviously we play fast. We want guys
willing to play fast. But we don't play nuts. So
you've got to make sure you understand we know
how to do that.
We're going to recruit. We're going to
recruit hard. We're going to involve our players in
recruiting; that's the most important thing. We'll
recruit student-athletes who are going to compete
and be able to handle the pressures that come
with competing at this level.
What's been successful for me so far, I'm
also smart enough to know that you have to
surround yourself with really good staff members.
So wherever I've been I've had smart, talented
coaches along with me.
When you have character on your team
and intelligent coaches, you can usually win.
Q. What do you think of the new rules,
the block charge and the defending the player
with the ball, and what effect do you think it will
have on the game?
COACH MCCAFFERY: It appears to me
it's going to have a tremendous effect on the
game. It only stands to reason there will be a lot
more fouls called out and away from the basket.
What I don't want to see is touch fouls away from
the basket and guys getting mugged off the ball,
because that won't work.
I've been saying for years we need to
clean up those collisions at the rim. So I think that
is brilliant what they're doing there, to protect the
driver. Too many guys that were talented enough
to go by their man and three guys falling down
before the guy even got to the rim.
So I think to clean up those collisions at
the rim is a great thing. It will be interesting to see
if the moves out front and the touch fouls will be
sustainable.
I think in theory it will work. In practicality it
may make the games long and grueling, and it may
have an adverse effect with regard to we're trying
to open up the game and teams may have to play
more zone because you have to protect your guys
who are in foul trouble.
So I think when it's all said and done, we
really don't know what's going to happen. But I like
the thought process. I'm an offensive guy. We're
going to drive the ball to the basket. So those
rules would in theory help us. So we'll see how it ends up
