By Tom

It’s time for another edition of Words With Mitch. Here are the highlights of our discussion with Head Coach Mitch Buonaguro at our weekly media luncheon.

On Bracket Buster game vs. Hofstra:

 “We were very encouraged by the offensive output.  What happened was we turned the ball over too much. That’s what the difference in the game was. We started the game with 9 turnovers in the first 6 minutes. After that we settled down and played well. The game was right where we wanted it. It was a 2 point game with 3 minutes to go. Give Hofstra credit they made 11 threes. If teams are making shots against our zone it’s hard for us to win. We’re banking on the teams not making shots”.

 On positioning in the standings:

 “I think at this time of year when you’re playing games that are meaningful, I think its very similar to where we were last year we went down to the wire for that 6th spot. Actually this year we have a chance for 5th if we can win out and somehow Rider loses a couple which they could. They have a tough schedule and Niagara has two road games so certainly there’s a lot up in the air. There’s a lot up in the air at the top too.  You’ve got 3 o 4 teams battling still for first place”.

 On thoughts of where team is at this point in season”

 “I am a little surprised looking at what happened at the beginning of the year with all the issues, injuries, Lionel and Imoh not being able to play. The one thing we’ve done all year is we’ve battled. We’ve been resilient.  We haven’t had losses effect us.  We’ve been able to come back. That’s a credit to the kids, especially the seniors.  To be 12-15 and be battling for the fifth spot in the league, if you had said to me at the beginning of the year we’re in this position, I’d be very happy “.

 On Evan as a Rookie of the Year candidate:

 “Everyone’s saying to me that Greene (Niagara) has better numbers, which he does. But I think you also have to factor where would we be without Evan Hymes? Even Kyle Downey said it in one of the quotes I read,  “We might not even have a win”  This kid has impacted us maybe in 11 or 12 wins. When you do that as a freshman, with the supporting cast that he’s had, certainly we don’t have a lot of depth, you got to take that into consideration.  Now Greene’s had a great year. I’d say it’s down to those two guys. I’m not taking anything away from Greene but I’m also obviously prejudiced in this. I coach Evan and I’ve seen what he’s done. I think he certainly deserves it”.

 On next opponent Marist”

“The film that I’ve watched on them they’ve inserted Chavaughn Lewis in the starting line up. That’s made them better. He’s given them a real good scorer now.  They start Morton, Price and Lewis and that’s a very athletic back court. Those 3 guys are all very talented.  Kemp has improved.  He had 8 blocks against Loyola. They’re a better scoring team than they’ve been. They’re starting to put numbers up.  Last night Fairfield defended them well, they only had 49 points.  My sense is it’s going to be a very tough game in a rough environment.  Siena-Marist you kind of throw the records out.  It’s a rivalry game so it’s tough in any year. Its going to definitely tough Thursday”.

 On Marist’s Chavaughn Lewis

We’ve got to be real aware of his ability to get to the rim. He gets to rim in transition and in half court. We were a little late on some closeouts. We’ve got to make sure we contain him. He’s a very unique player. He can really get out in transition. As you know, I recruited him very hard. I wanted him in the program and now I think he’s emerged as one of the top five rookies in the league.  He’s playing at a very high level”.

 On Rob Poole:

“I think he’s in a good place. He’s playing with a better confidence level. The last two games he’s hit double figures. He’s handling the ball well. He’s got the best assist – turnover ratio on the team 61:41, which bodes well because we’ve had problems with turnovers. He’s going to play a lot Thursday when I go with the smaller lineup which has been better for us offensively in the last couple weeks.  He’s a key guy”.

 On OD’s free throws and season:

 “The amazing thing is he’s coming up to me now and he wants me to have him make free throws at the end of the game. So it went from taking him out now to where he’s coming up to me and saying “coach let them foul me” He’s 22 of 27 his last 27 attempts. Just a confidence level.

 OD has established himself as a really good player. He’s had a terrific season certainly warrants first team consideration. People have even talked about him being Player of the Year. He’s had a remarkable year on a team that really, a lot of times, has not had a lot of answers offensively, so  that’s been even more remarkable”.

 On OD as a Player of the Year candidate:

 “I think he’s worthy of it. I think what comes in to play sometimes is the record of the team. Certainly you could make a great case for Glover (Iona). They have two candidates, Glover and Machado.  It’s hard to pick between those two guys. Anosike has clearly been one of the top 3 or 4 players in the league. Pretty much anyone who’s watched the league play all year has said that. He’s had a remarkable year. if our record was a little better and maybe we get to 5th place maybe he has a better chance”.   

 

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