Just a few quotes of stuff [Redacted] said tonight off the air. I'll preface this by saying that overall he wasn't that bad tonight. He said a few things that were worth merit, a bunch of things that pissed me off and were just ridiculous, but he was more sincere and not a huge dick. So, I'm not trying to crucify him, but it's worth sharing and commenting on a lot of the stuff he wouldn't have said on the radio. And there is some worth crucifying him over...
Some are paraphrased, but if I know for a fact its a direct quote I'll quote it:
I'll be the first to admit we've had a few bad years, but there were guys here that weren't what Wake Forest is about. Six of the eleven young men I inherited had had trouble with the law.
Ranted about how this is a group of terrific young men that are learning, but it's a young team. The academic and social adaptation is tough and then these guys have to play on this level.
Asked about Washington, he replied that he is gaining strength, eating 5-6 meals a day, and has a chance to be a really good player.
The students were instrumental during the State and Duke games and their support helped the guys out a lot. Students don't want to support jerks (the former players) and we know these guys aren't jerks and are coming out to support them.
When a student said we want to see you around campus more, he replied: I eat at Benson most days and am around but "tell me and I can come by your dorm or whatever" or talk to a group of you.
"Students storming the court was a beautiful moment."
A student asked about FireBz.com. His response:
I never pay attention to that. When you're in to the head coaching profession, most coaches have a website about them. You can't make everybody happy. I've got thick skin and I'm not going to compromise our values. I've been around the business a long time. We're doing this with the right people the right way, it's not easy tearing it down and building it back up.
Student asked what do you want to accomplish this season: "Win as many games as we can"
"You can put it all on me as to why we're not winning more." We want to be 18-7 right now not 10-12. But think about how much wiser, stronger, and more mature these guys will be in the next few years.
Either his wife or IMG employee brought up Tim Duncan when talking about young players and he proceeded to compare Thomas and Plumlee to Tim Duncan. (The 4-time NBA Finals winning NBA All-star Tim Duncan.) She commented that he had 0 points in his first game. (Yeah, that guy sucked).
She then brought up Indiana and that Crean won 6/10/12 games his first three years. He commented that Tom Crean had a rough first three years but they're number 1 now (well, not after illnois) and are having success. (Can't stand this excuse anymore)
And there was one girl that asked a question that I swear she rehearsed with him because it turned into a dialogue of how tough it is for the players and then how everyone is back on board and its turning around the culture and there is excitement with the students about the program again. She said she went to games freshman year, then there was a gap her next two years and now senior year she is going again and then she seriously said it was tough on Tuesday nights to go to a three hour basketball game with work and studying to do. I guess I missed the memo that Tuesday is our hardest day.
Another guy asked what a specific goal is after this year. "Win 20+ games and an NCAA tournament berth." It seemed that he was definitely implying next year, but didn't actually say it.