Jay Wright met with the media Thursday afternoon as the start of the season is just six days away. Here are the key takeaways from the press conference.
-Wright is encouraged to have a more experienced team considering all the disruptions. Says he's interested to see how they look on Wednesday as the team hasn't been able to scrimmage anyone like they would in a normal preseason.
-Team will leave for Mohegan Sun Monday so they can get tested there Monday night, normally they would leave on Tuesday for a Wednesday game. Said players and coaches are excited to get the season underway.
-Says he will breathe a sigh of relief when team gets to 13 games played (minimum to qualify for NCAA Tourney) and is hopeful to be close to that number by the start of the new year. The program is talking to other schools that have openings on their schedule as potential backup opponents if any of their scheduled opponents can't play.
-Is looking for more creativity from Collin Gillespie offensively, looking for more crafty ways to score. Used Jalen Brunson as an example in terms of pivots and isolation moves, and generally wants Gillespie to be aggressive.
-Thinks having the NCAA Tournament at a single site is the correct move and is pleased the NCAA has moved to do that.
-Says there will be changes to offensive and defensive philosophy in light of limited practice time and in consideration of possibly being without guys later in the season. Says they will be looking for simplicity and adjustability.
-He feels "joy" for his players that go on to the NBA and takes pride in the way they conduct themselves and the way they stay connected to each other after their time at Nova.
-Cosby-Roundtree has been providing great leadership despite his injury, and Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels have been doing a great job leading as well. Wright has been "impressed" with their leadership.
-Still going back and forth on fifth starter. It could change even during the season. Mentioned Cole Swider, Brandon Slater, and Caleb Daniels. Says they could potentially use the most potent of those three offensively as a sixth man.
-Wright is encouraged to have a more experienced team considering all the disruptions. Says he's interested to see how they look on Wednesday as the team hasn't been able to scrimmage anyone like they would in a normal preseason.
-Team will leave for Mohegan Sun Monday so they can get tested there Monday night, normally they would leave on Tuesday for a Wednesday game. Said players and coaches are excited to get the season underway.
-Says he will breathe a sigh of relief when team gets to 13 games played (minimum to qualify for NCAA Tourney) and is hopeful to be close to that number by the start of the new year. The program is talking to other schools that have openings on their schedule as potential backup opponents if any of their scheduled opponents can't play.
-Is looking for more creativity from Collin Gillespie offensively, looking for more crafty ways to score. Used Jalen Brunson as an example in terms of pivots and isolation moves, and generally wants Gillespie to be aggressive.
-Thinks having the NCAA Tournament at a single site is the correct move and is pleased the NCAA has moved to do that.
-Says there will be changes to offensive and defensive philosophy in light of limited practice time and in consideration of possibly being without guys later in the season. Says they will be looking for simplicity and adjustability.
-He feels "joy" for his players that go on to the NBA and takes pride in the way they conduct themselves and the way they stay connected to each other after their time at Nova.
-Cosby-Roundtree has been providing great leadership despite his injury, and Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels have been doing a great job leading as well. Wright has been "impressed" with their leadership.
-Still going back and forth on fifth starter. It could change even during the season. Mentioned Cole Swider, Brandon Slater, and Caleb Daniels. Says they could potentially use the most potent of those three offensively as a sixth man.