University of Tennessee Athletics
Q&A With Vols' Head Basketball Coach Jerry Green
October 30, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Interview With Coach Jerry Green
Q: What do three consecutive NCAA appearances do for the basketball program as you look to your fourth year at UT?
A: "I would hope it would give our returning players more confidence. They've done it quite a few times and it is there if they play well enough."
Q: Comment on the 2000-01 schedule.
A: "We made it a priority to upgrade our schedule for this season. What we ended up with is one of the toughest schedules in school history. Playing in the SEC, our conference schedule is always tough, but, with the strength of the non-conference teams we play, it will make this season's schedule very difficult. The combination of the strength of the SEC with our non-conference schedule should make this one of the top 10 to 15 schedules in the nation"
Q: What were the highlights from the 1999-2000 season?
A: "You start with the Sweet 16,' that is, getting there and having such a close chance of getting to the Great Eight.' We had more wins than any team in school history. I think winning back-to-back East championships and the overall SEC title last year certainly helps us. It's been a long time since we've been out of the Top 25 nationally and I think that says we are doing some things nicely."
Q: How has the program developed over the past three years? Are you on course with where you thought you'd be?
A: "I think if we looked at it three years ago and said we're going to graduate 10 players, win some championships and advance in the NCAA Tournament, everybody would probably be real pleased. Having been there, you get a little more hungry and want to go further and further into the Tournament."
Q: What will it take for this year's team to be successful?
A: "Everybody needs to be cautiously optimistic. On paper, we look very balanced. We have point guards, good two guards, small forwards, and good bulk up front, but you don't win basketball games on paper. You have to go out and make sure you play tough every night. This team has a nice upside to it and can be very competitive. Of course, we have to stay healthy. We have to be competitive in tough arenas. I really believe the SEC is the toughest basketball conference in the country."
Q: Comment on the SEC.
A: "I think the way I judge whether a conference is very, very tough is to take the two top teams out of it and see how strong you are after those teams are gone. You can take any two teams out of our league and you still have great balance with LSU and Arkansas. You have Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida and other up-and-coming programs like South Carolina and Ole Miss. It's a very tough conference and one which demands national respect."
Q: Talk about filling the role C.J. Black played for last year's team.
A: "The position is definitely open. There are several ways we can go with it. Senior Charles Hathaway lost some weight over the summer and looks very healthy. Marcus Haislip has put on a lot of weight so we could go that way. We could play Ron Slay and Isiah Victor at the same time at four and five. The other thing we could do is bump Slay up to the three and put Victor and Hathaway at the four with Vincent Yarbrough at the two. That would give us great size. We have some options so we'll just let them battle it out and see who wants it."
Q: How do you plan to handle five guards on this team?
A: "The big key is to make sure you have good competition in practice. You don't have that with three guards. Plus, you could move Del Baker into that position. We have a lot of options. We're going to see how Jenis Grindstaff rebounds from his injury and to see how Harris Walker has done over the summer. Players usually settle that themselves in the preseason with how competitive they are. All that doesn't mention our two starting guards from last season, Tony Harris and John Higgins."
Q: How much improvement do you anticipate from Marcus Haislip and Ron Slay from their freshman to sophomore years?
A: "I think Marcus just needs playing time. He's ready to play. I keep coming back to the game at Georgia where he played so well. Ron made his mark last year. Both those young men will be a lot more mature and ready to step in. Ron is an excitable player and tries to get everybody fired up. The thing I like about him is that he comes to play every day."
Q: Talk about the development of Charles Hathaway.
A: "If you look at our four and five players, he has the best bulk of anybody. He gives you an extra dimension on the inside especially from a defensive and rebounding standpoint."
Q: What do you look for from the seniors on this year's squad?
A: "They need to be leaders. Tony's been around. Everybody watches him and feeds off his energy. Del Baker is as solid as a rock in terms of being an example for the other players. Isiah Victor certainly has a great high side offensively and Charles has the great defensive ability. If I had to name one thing, I'd probably say these four will give us more leadership by example than they do verbally."
Q: How do you prepare your players to play at a higher level?
A: "The kids are wanting to play at the top level. Earlier in my career, they were a little leery of that. Now, that's where they want to be. We have shown we can play at home, on the road or at neutral sites. There are some tough situations on the road. Your road record is a big factor with the NCAA in making the at-large bids even for those of us who don't win the tournament. You have to make sure you have a high power rating and have been successful at home and on the road."
Q: What would you like to tell the fans about this year's team?
A: "When they come and look at the product, they'll like what they see. I really think some of the people we're playing now will actually have to scout us and look at a little game film. I hope the fans can be proud of our team and support it the way they do the other fine teams and sports on campus."
Q: Comment on the freshmen, Brandon Crump and Andy Ikeakor.
A: "Brandon Crump is so young, we'll possibly look at redshirting him, especially with the track we're on now. Andy Ikeakor is one of those players who can help you with bulk and muscle on the inside to get that offensive player off the block. We have a philosophy about how many guards we want, how many small forwards, power forwards and centers we want and that meshes in well with Ikeakor. That gives us five centers and power forwards this year and gives Brandon Crump a chance to get stronger over the summer, watch the league and get better."
