Mike Anderson
– There are a lot of unknowns this year, and a lot of newcomers. At the same time, I'm excited about those who are returning. Those guys have to step up in big fashion and be leaders for the new guys. They've been in since June and have gotten adapted to the day-to-day grind.
– "I'm excited about the possibilities." I don't rush to judgement. The proof will be in the pudding. I challenged guys to get better in the summer months, and they all had a great summer in the classroom. Practice is here now and we're excited about some guys with athleticism and size.
– We've got to have some guys step up and produce around Daniel, and Mason Jones and Jalen Harris are a couple of the guys who I think can do that. With a young team, we have to get better, and that's one of our mottos.
– The schedule this year is, for this team, very competitive and tough. It's going to challenge us, but it is also a great opportunity.
– On Khalil Garland: He went through some thorough tests recently and is not cleared to practice, Anderson said.
– Isaiah Joe has a high basketball IQ. Desi Sills has a Doberman mentality on the floor, especially on defense.
– Jordan Phillips is still rehabbing from a meniscus injury. Anderson hopes to have him back in the next month and a half.
– I think the bench is going to be the strength of this team. Reggie Chaney is going to be a great, great player here. Ethan Henderson is starting to show that he can contribute. Recently, he's becoming more competitive. Guys used to eat him alive when he first came in, but he's making strides.
– Reggie is a skilled forward. He's soared and defensively I think he's got a chance to be a good player. Very athletic and quick and able to step away from the basket.
– Gabe Osabuohien I think has a chance to get more minutes. We'll see if the game slows down for him a little more.
– Finding the guys who can be knockdown shooters when it's clutch time is going to be key. I think he have enough shooters to get defenses honest. You want to have a core of 8-9 guys, and it's wide open right now.
Adrio Bailey and Daniel Gafford
DG: I had a long talk with mom and dad about coming back to school. Returning
DG: Desi is going to our defensive dog this year. Isaiah Joe has some bounce and can obviously shoot the ball a bit.
AB: Jalen Harris has stepped up tremendously after learning from Daryl Macon, Jaylen Barford and Anton Beard. He's taken a big step forward. Some guys slack during their redshirt year, but he was the exact opposite of that.
AB: We have a lot of pieces that add different styles to this system.
DG: Reggie is going to bring a dog mentality on the boards, and he can step out and shoot it with the best at his size.
AB: I feel like us having a young roster makes me, Daniel and the older guys step up.
DG: This is going to test our leadership skills. We have to tell them what to do and what not to do. We're ready to take on that challenge.