Indiana University Athletics
Big Ten Conference Quotes
10/31/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
October 31, 2004
CHICAGO - The Big Ten held its annual men's basketball media day on Sunday morning, October 31.Members of the media had an opportunity to talk to all 11 head coaches and selected student-athletes from each team.
Junior guards Marshall Strickland and Bracey Wright were the two players who represented Indiana, along with fifth-year head coach Mike Davis.
Mike Davis, Indiana
On the play of junior guard Marshall Strickland:
MD: "Marshall has been great. He has been improving everyday in practice and I have been very pleased with his progression. Last season, he was thrown into the mix against some very tough teams and it could have been a little tough for him to handle."
On the offense:
MD: "Last season was tough for us offensively because we lacked a true post presence for much of the season. If you expect to win in the Big Ten, you need to have a post presence. This season, we hope that freshman D.J. White can come in and provide that type of a presence for us."
On the teams' preseason practices:
MD: "Sometimes there are days where I think we could be pretty good and than there are days where I don't know where we are as a team. Over the last three days, I have been very impressed with the intensity our team has shown in practice. We just need to find some sort of consistency. The key for us this season is to play as a team and if we can do that I think we will be fine."
On the schedule:
MD: "Our schedule this season will be very tough, but we had a tough a schedule last season as well. I have always believed that you need to play tough teams before conference play because it really lets you know where you stand."
Marshall Strickland
On the difference between this year's team and last year's:
MS: "I think everybody is going to come together this. We might have lost some confidence as a team last year, but now we are more of a complete team."
What he learned from last season:
MS: "You have to play hard all the time on the court. I learned how to be a leader and how important that is. Last year we had a lot of seniors and I didn't think it was my role, but I think a point guard, regardless of what year he is in, has to be a leader. "
On being a leader:
MS: "My first two years we had a lot of seniors in guys like Coverdale, Hornsby, Newton, A.J. and Leach, so I have learned a tremendous amount on what it takes to be a leader."
BRACEY WRIGHT
On his decision to go to the NBA following this season:
BW: "I am not focusing on that. Right now I am just focusing on the season and as a team we are all focusing on the season."
On his role on the team:
BW: "I still believe I am that go-to-guy, but I don't think I will be in the position where I was last year. I will definitely be a playmaker on this team, but we have a lot of playmakers on the team now and that will help us out a lot."
On what position he would rather play:
BW: "I am a guard so I can play either position. Whatever is needed from me then I will do that. It does not really matter to me where I play."
Players Mentioned
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