Indiana University Athletics
Coach Crean, Players Talk To Media At Huber Farms
6/2/2016 1:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
STARLIGHT, Indiana - Prior to last night's annual Tailgate Tour stop at Huber Farms in Southern Indiana, head coach Tom Crean along with Thomas Bryant, Juwan Morgan and Josh Newkirk met with members of the media to discuss the Hoosiers offseason and a number of other topics.
A full transcript can be found the videos below.
Head Coach Tom Crean
On James Blackmon's progression after his injury and then going through the NBA Draft process before returning:
"I think he is doing well. We will see when he gets back next week. We haven't seen him in a while. I think the whole experience was good for him, from what he learned from it and from the NBA people that I talked to that talked to him. I think we are all on the same page in terms of what he needs to get better at and focus on.
"We will just keep building his workouts up. When he left, everything was based on his shooting and playing in a small space with his ball-handling. He won't be cleared to go full for any period of time now, but we will get a feel on where he is at early next week and build from there."
On a target return date for Blackmon Jr.:
"Not really. What we do with all of these guys – Juwan was back in the gym within days after his surgery, shooting with the other hand – we do a great job of making sure there is never any wasted time with them. When they can't do something full or at a complete level, we try to get something done. When they are wearing boots and things like that, we have them shoot from a chair.
"In James' case, we will see where he is at. We haven't been able to see him the last couple weeks, but we will see where he is at next week and make a plan for that. The biggest thing is keeping them integrated with the team, even when they can't do what everyone else is doing, they are still part of it. And I think that builds the comradery because everyone understands that we are all trying to get to the same place, we just can't all get there at the same time."
On Robert Johnson's recover and whether Collin Hartman had surgery on his wrist:
"Collin did not have to have surgery. We ended up putting a cast on it. He did a great job with his left hand and did a great job academically. His right wrist just had to heal and that's where the cast came in.
"Robert just went home the other day and his rehab had been going very well. He was in town the majority of May and, we weren't able to work with him from a basketball standpoint, but from everything that he was doing with (athletic trainer) Tim Garl, he was definitely on schedule.
"So we have no reason to believe that anyone is going to be behind on anything, it's just going to be a matter of what they can do and when they can do it. But in this business, everything is fluid, including how many guys you get to work with and when. So we will have a much better indication next week."
On having the team back on campus next week:
"The reason these guys (Newkirk, Bryant, Morgan) are here today is because they have come back already. Juwan has been here a majority of the time with his rehab. But Thomas came back early. Josh came back early. Everyone will be back in by Sunday and we get started next week. "We get eight weeks and we start that eight weeks next week and then the freshmen will be in a couple weeks after that."
"I think the guys are just ready to come back. They all want a break, but then they realize that they have it pretty good. Everything is right there for them. So it's just a matter of going and doing what they want to do at home and then getting back to work."
"That's what people miss in this whole 'time demand' thing with student-athletes. Kids in basketball like this, they want to be in the gym. They want to be in the weight room. They want to be where they are around their teammates and can rehab injuries if they need to. It's not an easy process but it's a very workable process for them. They want to get better or they want to get healthier. It's all right there for them and they are working on their craft. In these guys cases, they not only want to be great students and win at Indiana, they want to be able to make a career out of this. And the only way you make a career out of anything is to keep getting better constantly. That's what they do. That's why they come back. But it's getting situated so they are not rushing once they get back into school. That's the biggest thing for them."
On the feedback from NBA teams on Yogi Ferrell:
"Between myself and the staff, I think we have talked to just about every team with at least a couple guys. It's always important to talk to a couple people if you can. Yogi is his own toughest critic after the workouts. But it has been very good. As a whole, it has been very, very good.
"He is in great shape and he was a non-stop worker, whether it was once or twice a day being in the gym. He did a great job of making sure that he was in great condition, but also in great condition for what their testing was going to be. Whether it was a 3-minute run – running the length of the court as many times as you can in three minutes. We do that as part of our training during the season, so it's not a surprise to them when they get in the workouts. But at the same time, they have to train for that. I think he has been doing an excellent job with that.
"I think people have been very impressed with him when they meet with him, whether it's at dinner before the interview process. His body of work speaks for itself, but once they see him in a 1-on-1 setting and then in a small group setting, basketball-wise, I think that just helps solidify what we already know.
"I think before it's all said and done, I think people will be moving up (in the draft) to get him, rather than 'will he be drafted?' Or people will be moving into the draft to get him. That's how I see it. Do I have a pick? No. But that's how I see it and I would be shocked if it didn't happen that way."
Having looked through the new NBA Draft timetable, do you like how things went?
"I think it works out. It's going to take a couple of years to get used to it, but the most important thing - there are two things going on. You have to do the very best job you can do for that individual player. And I think we do that. I think we have done that in the past. But at the same time, you can't lose sight of what's very important, which is your program.
"So I think it's really, really important that you know your players and you know what they're thinking, you keep the communication with them, you read them and you do the best job of getting them the most accurate information. The more you can get them away from recruiting speak, especially from the agents or what's written in the dot-coms and draft projections like that, which I have yet to see an NBA general manager quoted in one of those things - I read them too.
"There are some that are really good. There are some that you can look at it and know through your experience that they are talking to people that really matter and then there are some that are just throwing stuff against the wall. I think that's when it becomes entertainment. You've got to get them to see what's difference between what's entertainment and what's valid. All you can do is give them the best possible information and not lose sight that you've got a really good product on the court for you team. That's what we've tried to do.
"I think the days of - I don't want to get to the point where we're sitting there, sweating something out with no backup plan. I think when people are sweating something out, as a coach, they are not reading their team really well. Maybe it'll happen to us, maybe it won't. But we're always going to make sure that we're trying to stay a step ahead on that. The worst thing you can do is be sitting this time of the year saying "Ok, how are we going to replace this really good player?".
"So, whether it's the way you recruit early, when it comes to over-signing, whether it's the way you recruit late when you are going through the process and there is somebody available in the spring, much like Freddie McSwain was this year for us, I think you owe it to your program and your university to do the very best possible job making sure that you don't leave nay stone unturned on that.
"There's a lot of moving parts to this process and I think it's good. A lot of people are going to have different opinions, but whether it's the fifth-year transfer rule, it doesn't make any difference. All we can have is opinions and all we can have is the experience of living through it. You've got make sure you are dealing with the rules the way they are and do the very best job you can through those rules."
On the Fifth-year transfer rule:
"Well it's complicated. I think some that are speaking out about it are not looking at the entire picture on it. To me personally, the hardest thing is what it does to the low and mid-major schools because when you look around, it's like how is a low or mid-major school going to redshirt somebody? How are they going to try and get somebody graduated in three years? And I think that's going to be really, really hard in a sense that's what's really hurting them.
"I think there's two different cases. I don't know how you penalize Max Bielfeldt, because he wasn't given a scholarship back to the program he was at. My belief is simple. If you don't want to lose somebody, and you want them to stay, yet they want to leave, I'm not sure if being automatically eligible somewhere is the best way to do it. But if you don't offer somebody back a scholarship, much in the case like Max, I don't know how you hold them back from being eligible somewhere including the league.
"If I didn't want to lose you and you wanted to transfer within the league, I don't think you should be eligible to go within the league. But if I don't want you back, then I think all bets are off. How can I have any justification of holding you back?
"It's not as easy as some are making it seem. It's not as easy as saying, "Ok, let's just have them sit out a year and then they can have the next year to play." That's easy for the one you don't want to lose. It's really hard for the one you are not willing to keep. And that's getting lost in the translation a little bit.
"But again as a nutshell, if we came down with it and said they had to sit out, and that would help the low and mid-majors programs, I'd be all for that. Because I have friends all across the country, and so do other coaches, that are losing players that are going to effect their job. I mean you don't have to look very far.
"Damion Lee was a heck of a get for Louisville. But that did nothing for Bruiser Flint's job status. The rules are the rules. Damion Lee did a great job, but Bruiser Flint at the end of the day didn't have his best player back. And that's the way the rules are right now. So personally I'd like to see that change, but not to the point where it hurts somebody that is not welcome back to their school because that's a double penalty, why would we do that?"
On Freddie McSwain:
"The great thing about signing him is we are finding even more film. Every time I get more film, I see something that I didn't know. I'm watching him on film yesterday and how quick he is in the post. He is going to be a matchup problem. He is a tremendous athlete. He has a very humble spirit and is very hungry. He wanted to be at Indiana, which is a huge thing.
"I love being around his family and I love the story of how he has built himself up. He has a lot of great basketball in front of him because he has not played basketball that long. When you look at him, it's like looking at an NFL tight end. He is that big and wide and so quick and athletic. His first and second and third efforts in jumping are phenomenal. Where he needs to get better is in his skills and I think he has gotten better. We have been able to dive into some early film and even more of his recent film. I think you can see the upside.
"He was very well coached, but it is going to take some time to make sure he really gets the regimen of his jump shot and the ability to handle the ball and pick and roll. When it comes to moving the ball and being a facilitator, being a teammate, somebody that can defend, get to the basket, rebound the ball, I think all that stuff is there. I think when you have that level of athleticism, the learning curve is that much easier to work through because he will pick things up faster."
On Devonte Green:
"Devonte just kept getting better and better. He is exactly what we want the program to be about, improvement. It's not just improving when you get to Indiana, it is the improvements you make before that.
"He was one of the people, as we watched him, I liked him but I needed to see more. By the time we offered him a scholarship I had seen plenty and I don't think we are close to seeing what we are going to see. He can defend at a high level. He has a very low center of gravity, so he can get down and guard you, he can get by you. He is very efficient with his passing and shooting. His decision making got a lot better.
"He loves to play and I think that is one of those things that it is really easy to look at a basketball player and say they love to play, they don't all love to play. These three that are with us today, they love to play and love to be in the gym. These guys that we are talking about they love to be in the gym. When you have that and that kind of upside and that kind of efficiency, I don't think you can help but get better.
"Both of them are going to come in and compete with Curtis and De'Ron and Grant. Everyone brings something different to the table. The thing they all bring is that they are going to get a lot better. We are always going to be a program where if we have to make a choice between the finished product and the upside, we are going to go with the upside all the time.
"Look at the improvement Max made at the age of 22. He made tremendous improvement. He worked at it and got some things worked out and all of the sudden his confidence skyrocketed and he played both ends of the court at a high level. That is what we are always recruiting for, that level of upside."
Juwan Morgan, Thomas Bryant and Josh Newkirk
On the process to get his shoulder 100% healthy:
Juwan Morgan: It was difficult at first, especially the mental part of it knowing that you couldn't really do anything, but with the training staff, coaches and all the support from my teammates and family, it's been a lot easier than most people would think.
When will you be full-go?
Morgan: I'm not sure.
What are you doing now?
Morgan: Rehabbing and stretching.
When was your procedure done?
Morgan: April 11.
Did you have to sleep in a reclining chair or something like that for a month?
Morgan: For about two weeks, yes I did.
Once you have a shoulder surgery, you never want to have one again, right?
Morgan: Never. I wouldn't' wish it upon anybody.
Do you have any sense of relief that this is all behind you now after the last couple of years?
Morgan: I definitely do. I just feel a lot better, almost like a new person.
The shoulder hasn't popped out anymore has it?
Morgan: No, it hasn't.
On where the team is heading into the start of summer workouts:
Thomas Bryant: I feel we're in a good position. Everybody that went home and is returning did their summer workouts that they had to do at home. Everybody came back home in great condition and in great mindsets and we are just ready to get the season rolling.
On why he didn't test the waters with the new NBA Draft rules:
Bryant: I just love the place, Indiana and playing under coach Crean and being here with my guys. I knew there were key things that I needed to get better at so I just thought to take that time out to get better, go home and return to IU and get ready for the summer.
On who he talked to about that decision to return to Indiana:
Bryant: I talked to my parents, the coaches and coaching staff and a couple of other people that are close to me to help me with this process. The best decision for me was to return. It was my decision to not test the waters. I wanted to stay here and be with my teammates and the coaching staff and get better.
On the areas of his game he wants to improve from last year:
Bryant: Being more focused on the defensive end. Being there for my teammates, lateral quickness, moving up and down the floor better and on the offensive end being more of a threat to score and helping my teammates out.
On whether he feels like he has to take on a larger role with the team this year:
Bryant: We all know our responsibilities here. We all play our roles to the best of our abilities. I don't try and put too much pressure on myself. I know my guys here work their butts off just like I do, so there won't be too much pressure put on me.
On how his knee is feeling as he prepares for the upcoming season after sitting out last year as a transfer:
Josh Newkirk: I'm feeling good. I still do my knee protocol and rehab, so I'm feeling good. I'm working, practicing – I had a full year of practice so I feel I will be ready.
On how he benefitted from going against Kevin Yogi Ferrell in practice once he was cleared last year:
Newkirk: The mental part. Watching on the sidelines, learning the game from a different perspective. I got to see what I need to work on from the sidelines.
On what the biggest thing he improved on since being able to practice:
Newkirk: Just making better decisions, being able to read the defense and see what plays I need to make, not forcing it – that's been the biggest thing.
On what he's learned from Yogi Ferrell:
Newkirk: Just the way that he was a leader, he was very accountable in his own work. He led the team, made sure everyone was in their right spots, that would be the biggest thing – his leadership.
On if they could yet describe the style of play/roles for the 2016-17 team:
Morgan: A little too soon, but we are just going to embrace the roles that we have to come in to and I think the freshmen coming in will see that as we set the example for them,
On the most important thing for the incoming players to do once they get to campus:
Bryant: Biggest thing for me, besides conditioning and lifting, was probably the mental toughness that you have to bring each and every day to the 6 a.m. lifts and the conditioning sessions we have. You have to bring your 'A' game and always have that mindset. Plus, your teammates will be there too to help you through anything. Obviously for the freshmen that are coming in – to any college at all – it's mental toughness and to listen. Always take in as much information as you can and be a sponge out there.
On the upcoming schedule and the strength of opponents, specifically against Kansas, North Carolina and Louisville:
Bryant: I like it.
Morgan: I like it too. It's pretty competitive.
Bryant: We have three great teams that you just named right there. Being at Indiana, that's what we want to do, just play the best competition out there. Playing against those guys, it will bring the best out of all of us.
On the excitement about a rematch of the Sweet Sixteen against North Carolina:
Bryant: Come on now, you should know that. We're all looking forward to it.
On what Newkirk brings to the team:
Morgan: Like you said earlier, I think he just brings that leadership. Even though he couldn't play in any of the games physically, on the bench he was always talking to us and telling us where we need to be. He was already embracing that role that he knew was going to be left for him.
Bryant: Going off what Juwan said, I agree 100 percent. Also in practice, the work ethic that he had after practice. Getting in there when Rob (Johnson) and I would go in there and do more work, he would be the first one in there. He was a sponge, just trying to get as much information as he could. You could see it developing during practice each and every day. We needed that.
On being able to go against De'Ron Davis:
Bryant: Oh yeah, it will be beneficial to both of us. Going against a guy that's just as big, great skill work, big basketball IQ. Him coming in with me, going into my sophomore year as someone who knows the ropes around what Coach Crean expects, what Coach L (Lyonel Anderson), our strength and conditioning coach and then just easing him in here.
On how Newkirk has improved as a shooter since coming to Indiana:
Newkirk: I believe I'm a lot better; I've worked a lot on my form when I really couldn't run or jump during my injuries. So, I think I've come a long way on my form, just better technique. Credits to Coach Buckley. He's helped me tuck my elbow in more and helped me with my follow-through. Those are two of the main things.
A full transcript can be found the videos below.
Head Coach Tom Crean
On James Blackmon's progression after his injury and then going through the NBA Draft process before returning:
"I think he is doing well. We will see when he gets back next week. We haven't seen him in a while. I think the whole experience was good for him, from what he learned from it and from the NBA people that I talked to that talked to him. I think we are all on the same page in terms of what he needs to get better at and focus on.
"We will just keep building his workouts up. When he left, everything was based on his shooting and playing in a small space with his ball-handling. He won't be cleared to go full for any period of time now, but we will get a feel on where he is at early next week and build from there."
On a target return date for Blackmon Jr.:
"Not really. What we do with all of these guys – Juwan was back in the gym within days after his surgery, shooting with the other hand – we do a great job of making sure there is never any wasted time with them. When they can't do something full or at a complete level, we try to get something done. When they are wearing boots and things like that, we have them shoot from a chair.
"In James' case, we will see where he is at. We haven't been able to see him the last couple weeks, but we will see where he is at next week and make a plan for that. The biggest thing is keeping them integrated with the team, even when they can't do what everyone else is doing, they are still part of it. And I think that builds the comradery because everyone understands that we are all trying to get to the same place, we just can't all get there at the same time."
On Robert Johnson's recover and whether Collin Hartman had surgery on his wrist:
"Collin did not have to have surgery. We ended up putting a cast on it. He did a great job with his left hand and did a great job academically. His right wrist just had to heal and that's where the cast came in.
"Robert just went home the other day and his rehab had been going very well. He was in town the majority of May and, we weren't able to work with him from a basketball standpoint, but from everything that he was doing with (athletic trainer) Tim Garl, he was definitely on schedule.
"So we have no reason to believe that anyone is going to be behind on anything, it's just going to be a matter of what they can do and when they can do it. But in this business, everything is fluid, including how many guys you get to work with and when. So we will have a much better indication next week."
On having the team back on campus next week:
"The reason these guys (Newkirk, Bryant, Morgan) are here today is because they have come back already. Juwan has been here a majority of the time with his rehab. But Thomas came back early. Josh came back early. Everyone will be back in by Sunday and we get started next week. "We get eight weeks and we start that eight weeks next week and then the freshmen will be in a couple weeks after that."
"I think the guys are just ready to come back. They all want a break, but then they realize that they have it pretty good. Everything is right there for them. So it's just a matter of going and doing what they want to do at home and then getting back to work."
"That's what people miss in this whole 'time demand' thing with student-athletes. Kids in basketball like this, they want to be in the gym. They want to be in the weight room. They want to be where they are around their teammates and can rehab injuries if they need to. It's not an easy process but it's a very workable process for them. They want to get better or they want to get healthier. It's all right there for them and they are working on their craft. In these guys cases, they not only want to be great students and win at Indiana, they want to be able to make a career out of this. And the only way you make a career out of anything is to keep getting better constantly. That's what they do. That's why they come back. But it's getting situated so they are not rushing once they get back into school. That's the biggest thing for them."
On the feedback from NBA teams on Yogi Ferrell:
"Between myself and the staff, I think we have talked to just about every team with at least a couple guys. It's always important to talk to a couple people if you can. Yogi is his own toughest critic after the workouts. But it has been very good. As a whole, it has been very, very good.
"He is in great shape and he was a non-stop worker, whether it was once or twice a day being in the gym. He did a great job of making sure that he was in great condition, but also in great condition for what their testing was going to be. Whether it was a 3-minute run – running the length of the court as many times as you can in three minutes. We do that as part of our training during the season, so it's not a surprise to them when they get in the workouts. But at the same time, they have to train for that. I think he has been doing an excellent job with that.
"I think people have been very impressed with him when they meet with him, whether it's at dinner before the interview process. His body of work speaks for itself, but once they see him in a 1-on-1 setting and then in a small group setting, basketball-wise, I think that just helps solidify what we already know.
"I think before it's all said and done, I think people will be moving up (in the draft) to get him, rather than 'will he be drafted?' Or people will be moving into the draft to get him. That's how I see it. Do I have a pick? No. But that's how I see it and I would be shocked if it didn't happen that way."
Having looked through the new NBA Draft timetable, do you like how things went?
"I think it works out. It's going to take a couple of years to get used to it, but the most important thing - there are two things going on. You have to do the very best job you can do for that individual player. And I think we do that. I think we have done that in the past. But at the same time, you can't lose sight of what's very important, which is your program.
"So I think it's really, really important that you know your players and you know what they're thinking, you keep the communication with them, you read them and you do the best job of getting them the most accurate information. The more you can get them away from recruiting speak, especially from the agents or what's written in the dot-coms and draft projections like that, which I have yet to see an NBA general manager quoted in one of those things - I read them too.
"There are some that are really good. There are some that you can look at it and know through your experience that they are talking to people that really matter and then there are some that are just throwing stuff against the wall. I think that's when it becomes entertainment. You've got to get them to see what's difference between what's entertainment and what's valid. All you can do is give them the best possible information and not lose sight that you've got a really good product on the court for you team. That's what we've tried to do.
"I think the days of - I don't want to get to the point where we're sitting there, sweating something out with no backup plan. I think when people are sweating something out, as a coach, they are not reading their team really well. Maybe it'll happen to us, maybe it won't. But we're always going to make sure that we're trying to stay a step ahead on that. The worst thing you can do is be sitting this time of the year saying "Ok, how are we going to replace this really good player?".
"So, whether it's the way you recruit early, when it comes to over-signing, whether it's the way you recruit late when you are going through the process and there is somebody available in the spring, much like Freddie McSwain was this year for us, I think you owe it to your program and your university to do the very best possible job making sure that you don't leave nay stone unturned on that.
"There's a lot of moving parts to this process and I think it's good. A lot of people are going to have different opinions, but whether it's the fifth-year transfer rule, it doesn't make any difference. All we can have is opinions and all we can have is the experience of living through it. You've got make sure you are dealing with the rules the way they are and do the very best job you can through those rules."
On the Fifth-year transfer rule:
"Well it's complicated. I think some that are speaking out about it are not looking at the entire picture on it. To me personally, the hardest thing is what it does to the low and mid-major schools because when you look around, it's like how is a low or mid-major school going to redshirt somebody? How are they going to try and get somebody graduated in three years? And I think that's going to be really, really hard in a sense that's what's really hurting them.
"I think there's two different cases. I don't know how you penalize Max Bielfeldt, because he wasn't given a scholarship back to the program he was at. My belief is simple. If you don't want to lose somebody, and you want them to stay, yet they want to leave, I'm not sure if being automatically eligible somewhere is the best way to do it. But if you don't offer somebody back a scholarship, much in the case like Max, I don't know how you hold them back from being eligible somewhere including the league.
"If I didn't want to lose you and you wanted to transfer within the league, I don't think you should be eligible to go within the league. But if I don't want you back, then I think all bets are off. How can I have any justification of holding you back?
"It's not as easy as some are making it seem. It's not as easy as saying, "Ok, let's just have them sit out a year and then they can have the next year to play." That's easy for the one you don't want to lose. It's really hard for the one you are not willing to keep. And that's getting lost in the translation a little bit.
"But again as a nutshell, if we came down with it and said they had to sit out, and that would help the low and mid-majors programs, I'd be all for that. Because I have friends all across the country, and so do other coaches, that are losing players that are going to effect their job. I mean you don't have to look very far.
"Damion Lee was a heck of a get for Louisville. But that did nothing for Bruiser Flint's job status. The rules are the rules. Damion Lee did a great job, but Bruiser Flint at the end of the day didn't have his best player back. And that's the way the rules are right now. So personally I'd like to see that change, but not to the point where it hurts somebody that is not welcome back to their school because that's a double penalty, why would we do that?"
On Freddie McSwain:
"The great thing about signing him is we are finding even more film. Every time I get more film, I see something that I didn't know. I'm watching him on film yesterday and how quick he is in the post. He is going to be a matchup problem. He is a tremendous athlete. He has a very humble spirit and is very hungry. He wanted to be at Indiana, which is a huge thing.
"I love being around his family and I love the story of how he has built himself up. He has a lot of great basketball in front of him because he has not played basketball that long. When you look at him, it's like looking at an NFL tight end. He is that big and wide and so quick and athletic. His first and second and third efforts in jumping are phenomenal. Where he needs to get better is in his skills and I think he has gotten better. We have been able to dive into some early film and even more of his recent film. I think you can see the upside.
"He was very well coached, but it is going to take some time to make sure he really gets the regimen of his jump shot and the ability to handle the ball and pick and roll. When it comes to moving the ball and being a facilitator, being a teammate, somebody that can defend, get to the basket, rebound the ball, I think all that stuff is there. I think when you have that level of athleticism, the learning curve is that much easier to work through because he will pick things up faster."
On Devonte Green:
"Devonte just kept getting better and better. He is exactly what we want the program to be about, improvement. It's not just improving when you get to Indiana, it is the improvements you make before that.
"He was one of the people, as we watched him, I liked him but I needed to see more. By the time we offered him a scholarship I had seen plenty and I don't think we are close to seeing what we are going to see. He can defend at a high level. He has a very low center of gravity, so he can get down and guard you, he can get by you. He is very efficient with his passing and shooting. His decision making got a lot better.
"He loves to play and I think that is one of those things that it is really easy to look at a basketball player and say they love to play, they don't all love to play. These three that are with us today, they love to play and love to be in the gym. These guys that we are talking about they love to be in the gym. When you have that and that kind of upside and that kind of efficiency, I don't think you can help but get better.
"Both of them are going to come in and compete with Curtis and De'Ron and Grant. Everyone brings something different to the table. The thing they all bring is that they are going to get a lot better. We are always going to be a program where if we have to make a choice between the finished product and the upside, we are going to go with the upside all the time.
"Look at the improvement Max made at the age of 22. He made tremendous improvement. He worked at it and got some things worked out and all of the sudden his confidence skyrocketed and he played both ends of the court at a high level. That is what we are always recruiting for, that level of upside."
Juwan Morgan, Thomas Bryant and Josh Newkirk
On the process to get his shoulder 100% healthy:
Juwan Morgan: It was difficult at first, especially the mental part of it knowing that you couldn't really do anything, but with the training staff, coaches and all the support from my teammates and family, it's been a lot easier than most people would think.
When will you be full-go?
Morgan: I'm not sure.
What are you doing now?
Morgan: Rehabbing and stretching.
When was your procedure done?
Morgan: April 11.
Did you have to sleep in a reclining chair or something like that for a month?
Morgan: For about two weeks, yes I did.
Once you have a shoulder surgery, you never want to have one again, right?
Morgan: Never. I wouldn't' wish it upon anybody.
Do you have any sense of relief that this is all behind you now after the last couple of years?
Morgan: I definitely do. I just feel a lot better, almost like a new person.
The shoulder hasn't popped out anymore has it?
Morgan: No, it hasn't.
On where the team is heading into the start of summer workouts:
Thomas Bryant: I feel we're in a good position. Everybody that went home and is returning did their summer workouts that they had to do at home. Everybody came back home in great condition and in great mindsets and we are just ready to get the season rolling.
On why he didn't test the waters with the new NBA Draft rules:
Bryant: I just love the place, Indiana and playing under coach Crean and being here with my guys. I knew there were key things that I needed to get better at so I just thought to take that time out to get better, go home and return to IU and get ready for the summer.
On who he talked to about that decision to return to Indiana:
Bryant: I talked to my parents, the coaches and coaching staff and a couple of other people that are close to me to help me with this process. The best decision for me was to return. It was my decision to not test the waters. I wanted to stay here and be with my teammates and the coaching staff and get better.
On the areas of his game he wants to improve from last year:
Bryant: Being more focused on the defensive end. Being there for my teammates, lateral quickness, moving up and down the floor better and on the offensive end being more of a threat to score and helping my teammates out.
On whether he feels like he has to take on a larger role with the team this year:
Bryant: We all know our responsibilities here. We all play our roles to the best of our abilities. I don't try and put too much pressure on myself. I know my guys here work their butts off just like I do, so there won't be too much pressure put on me.
On how his knee is feeling as he prepares for the upcoming season after sitting out last year as a transfer:
Josh Newkirk: I'm feeling good. I still do my knee protocol and rehab, so I'm feeling good. I'm working, practicing – I had a full year of practice so I feel I will be ready.
On how he benefitted from going against Kevin Yogi Ferrell in practice once he was cleared last year:
Newkirk: The mental part. Watching on the sidelines, learning the game from a different perspective. I got to see what I need to work on from the sidelines.
On what the biggest thing he improved on since being able to practice:
Newkirk: Just making better decisions, being able to read the defense and see what plays I need to make, not forcing it – that's been the biggest thing.
On what he's learned from Yogi Ferrell:
Newkirk: Just the way that he was a leader, he was very accountable in his own work. He led the team, made sure everyone was in their right spots, that would be the biggest thing – his leadership.
On if they could yet describe the style of play/roles for the 2016-17 team:
Morgan: A little too soon, but we are just going to embrace the roles that we have to come in to and I think the freshmen coming in will see that as we set the example for them,
On the most important thing for the incoming players to do once they get to campus:
Bryant: Biggest thing for me, besides conditioning and lifting, was probably the mental toughness that you have to bring each and every day to the 6 a.m. lifts and the conditioning sessions we have. You have to bring your 'A' game and always have that mindset. Plus, your teammates will be there too to help you through anything. Obviously for the freshmen that are coming in – to any college at all – it's mental toughness and to listen. Always take in as much information as you can and be a sponge out there.
On the upcoming schedule and the strength of opponents, specifically against Kansas, North Carolina and Louisville:
Bryant: I like it.
Morgan: I like it too. It's pretty competitive.
Bryant: We have three great teams that you just named right there. Being at Indiana, that's what we want to do, just play the best competition out there. Playing against those guys, it will bring the best out of all of us.
On the excitement about a rematch of the Sweet Sixteen against North Carolina:
Bryant: Come on now, you should know that. We're all looking forward to it.
On what Newkirk brings to the team:
Morgan: Like you said earlier, I think he just brings that leadership. Even though he couldn't play in any of the games physically, on the bench he was always talking to us and telling us where we need to be. He was already embracing that role that he knew was going to be left for him.
Bryant: Going off what Juwan said, I agree 100 percent. Also in practice, the work ethic that he had after practice. Getting in there when Rob (Johnson) and I would go in there and do more work, he would be the first one in there. He was a sponge, just trying to get as much information as he could. You could see it developing during practice each and every day. We needed that.
On being able to go against De'Ron Davis:
Bryant: Oh yeah, it will be beneficial to both of us. Going against a guy that's just as big, great skill work, big basketball IQ. Him coming in with me, going into my sophomore year as someone who knows the ropes around what Coach Crean expects, what Coach L (Lyonel Anderson), our strength and conditioning coach and then just easing him in here.
On how Newkirk has improved as a shooter since coming to Indiana:
Newkirk: I believe I'm a lot better; I've worked a lot on my form when I really couldn't run or jump during my injuries. So, I think I've come a long way on my form, just better technique. Credits to Coach Buckley. He's helped me tuck my elbow in more and helped me with my follow-through. Those are two of the main things.
Players Mentioned
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