Hopkins Montana State Quotes
Syracuse Men’s Basketball
Syracuse vs. Montana State
December 22, 2015
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Designate Mike Hopkins
Opening Statement
“I thought we did a great job of staying out there on penetrations they were throwing out. The guys stayed really disciplined to the game plan, very proud of them. I thought in the second half we shot the ball exceptionally well offensively, but we allowed them to get going offensively and we’re not out there to trade baskets, we’re out there to hold teams. That’s where I was a little bit disappointed in the fact of where we have to go.
I thought in the first half we were unbelievably defensive and in the second half we were unbelievable on the offensive end. In the second half Franklin got it going in the transition and made a few great plays to get us going and get the crowd into it. We got some decent looks, but when you see three of your players Gbinije, Cooney and Howard with five assists and Joseph with three in thirteen minutes, that is really unselfish play.
On the rebounding end we did a decent job and I was happy for him (Obokoh) because he hasn’t played in a while so it was fun to see him. I thought he did a decent job on the defensive end as well, offensively he finished, so very happy about that.”
Talking about Chinonso a little bit, talk about Coleman as well. What did you think about the centers tonight in a game where they really showed up?
“I think in the beginning of the game Coleman sometimes rushes things, but tonight I thought he was in control and it caused them a problem. They were going to switch on everything and play their matchup, try and confuse us a little bit, but Coleman did a great job of taking his time and being patient in the post. Going five for five in twelve minutes is pretty incredible.”
I thought in the second half Chino, they were able to give him the ball and he was able to finish. As we move forward those two guys on the defensive end are going to be huge for us, especially in the ACC and all the size we are going to play against. It’s a good sign on the offensive end but where we need them most as we move forward is going to be on the defensive end. I thought they did a good job tonight.”
How do you think the style of play by Montana State helped Coleman tonight and overall?
“I think it goes back to matchups, when teams start switching they put little guys down there and Coleman was playing confident, just spinning around guys and finishing strong around the basket. I thought his first two moves he snuck through and made the first one and then a right handed half hook, which was really nice. When you have offensive balance where you are getting inside as well as outside you are obviously more potent. A lot of teams, what they do, is when they switch they are going to be on our shooters and won’t let us shoot. You can get them a couple touches and if he can score in there it makes a huge difference.
How does mental toughness come into play now and in the future?
“All over we have high character kids and they are working really hard, and just being great teammates is the most important thing. Frank was a little under the weather too the last couple practices and I thought he came out there tonight just wanting to help the team win. Where I was most proud of him and KJ was their defensive effort, he obviously made some great offensive plays, but this thing comes down to defense, and they make stops.
Kaleb and Frank did a great job when they went in, they covered better. Before they would suck in and then all of a sudden they would throw it out and then a guy would make a three in the previous games. But tonight they did a really great job. I think as we move forward those guys are going to be key ingredients for our success. Kaleb with his ability to shoot the ball and now his defense is very important, and I think Frank with his ability to get in the lane and make plays for others.”
What were your thoughts on Chinonso Obokoh’s big game?
“I was walking in pacing before the game and I knew before the game that I wanted to get Chino in to get him some reps at the center spot. I was thinking about a game where Baye (Kieta) was six-for-six from the field. That shows a lot about Chino and Frank, they haven’t really played and they got an opportunity and they were able to have a lot of success. They have been working very hard and I’m just very happy for them.”
What does Tyler Lydon bring to the table?
“He’s unbelievable. He has the IQ of a 38 year-old basketball player who has played in the NBA. He’s very cerebral. He’s blocking shots. He has the knowledge and anticipation to see two plays ahead and block the shot in the corner. The big thing is when we move forward, we want him in the forward position.”
Has rebounding the ball been a focus in practice?
“That’s been a focus of ours. Sometimes rebounds stats can be a little miscalculated because you can get outrebounded by 15 but only shoot 30 percent from the field. More so, you have to look at second-chance points. In the first half we dominated that area. In the second half they beat us, we didn’t do as good of a job.”
Does it frustrate you when you see players not make hustle plays?
“As a coach you strive for perfection, knowing that you’re not going to get it, but that’s what you’re in search of. You want every possession to be perfect. From the defensive end, there were three times today where we played incredible defense for 27 seconds. They shoot a wild three and it comes out and we don’t get it or we foul them at the end. It’s one of the areas that we can get better at.
The good thing tonight is that we had a great team effort. They did together with 22 assists. A lot guys got involved.”
Is there any mindset heading into the break before ACC play?
“I think the thing is to make sure they don’t eat too much turkey. Make sure they hit the gym when they’re home for the holidays, but to really enjoy their families. These guys just got done with their finals. These guys have been working extremely hard. It will be nice to have a couple days off.”
Syracuse vs. Montana State
December 22, 2015
Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.
Head Coach Designate Mike Hopkins
Opening Statement
“I thought we did a great job of staying out there on penetrations they were throwing out. The guys stayed really disciplined to the game plan, very proud of them. I thought in the second half we shot the ball exceptionally well offensively, but we allowed them to get going offensively and we’re not out there to trade baskets, we’re out there to hold teams. That’s where I was a little bit disappointed in the fact of where we have to go.
I thought in the first half we were unbelievably defensive and in the second half we were unbelievable on the offensive end. In the second half Franklin got it going in the transition and made a few great plays to get us going and get the crowd into it. We got some decent looks, but when you see three of your players Gbinije, Cooney and Howard with five assists and Joseph with three in thirteen minutes, that is really unselfish play.
On the rebounding end we did a decent job and I was happy for him (Obokoh) because he hasn’t played in a while so it was fun to see him. I thought he did a decent job on the defensive end as well, offensively he finished, so very happy about that.”
Talking about Chinonso a little bit, talk about Coleman as well. What did you think about the centers tonight in a game where they really showed up?
“I think in the beginning of the game Coleman sometimes rushes things, but tonight I thought he was in control and it caused them a problem. They were going to switch on everything and play their matchup, try and confuse us a little bit, but Coleman did a great job of taking his time and being patient in the post. Going five for five in twelve minutes is pretty incredible.”
I thought in the second half Chino, they were able to give him the ball and he was able to finish. As we move forward those two guys on the defensive end are going to be huge for us, especially in the ACC and all the size we are going to play against. It’s a good sign on the offensive end but where we need them most as we move forward is going to be on the defensive end. I thought they did a good job tonight.”
How do you think the style of play by Montana State helped Coleman tonight and overall?
“I think it goes back to matchups, when teams start switching they put little guys down there and Coleman was playing confident, just spinning around guys and finishing strong around the basket. I thought his first two moves he snuck through and made the first one and then a right handed half hook, which was really nice. When you have offensive balance where you are getting inside as well as outside you are obviously more potent. A lot of teams, what they do, is when they switch they are going to be on our shooters and won’t let us shoot. You can get them a couple touches and if he can score in there it makes a huge difference.
How does mental toughness come into play now and in the future?
“All over we have high character kids and they are working really hard, and just being great teammates is the most important thing. Frank was a little under the weather too the last couple practices and I thought he came out there tonight just wanting to help the team win. Where I was most proud of him and KJ was their defensive effort, he obviously made some great offensive plays, but this thing comes down to defense, and they make stops.
Kaleb and Frank did a great job when they went in, they covered better. Before they would suck in and then all of a sudden they would throw it out and then a guy would make a three in the previous games. But tonight they did a really great job. I think as we move forward those guys are going to be key ingredients for our success. Kaleb with his ability to shoot the ball and now his defense is very important, and I think Frank with his ability to get in the lane and make plays for others.”
What were your thoughts on Chinonso Obokoh’s big game?
“I was walking in pacing before the game and I knew before the game that I wanted to get Chino in to get him some reps at the center spot. I was thinking about a game where Baye (Kieta) was six-for-six from the field. That shows a lot about Chino and Frank, they haven’t really played and they got an opportunity and they were able to have a lot of success. They have been working very hard and I’m just very happy for them.”
What does Tyler Lydon bring to the table?
“He’s unbelievable. He has the IQ of a 38 year-old basketball player who has played in the NBA. He’s very cerebral. He’s blocking shots. He has the knowledge and anticipation to see two plays ahead and block the shot in the corner. The big thing is when we move forward, we want him in the forward position.”
Has rebounding the ball been a focus in practice?
“That’s been a focus of ours. Sometimes rebounds stats can be a little miscalculated because you can get outrebounded by 15 but only shoot 30 percent from the field. More so, you have to look at second-chance points. In the first half we dominated that area. In the second half they beat us, we didn’t do as good of a job.”
Does it frustrate you when you see players not make hustle plays?
“As a coach you strive for perfection, knowing that you’re not going to get it, but that’s what you’re in search of. You want every possession to be perfect. From the defensive end, there were three times today where we played incredible defense for 27 seconds. They shoot a wild three and it comes out and we don’t get it or we foul them at the end. It’s one of the areas that we can get better at.
The good thing tonight is that we had a great team effort. They did together with 22 assists. A lot guys got involved.”
Is there any mindset heading into the break before ACC play?
“I think the thing is to make sure they don’t eat too much turkey. Make sure they hit the gym when they’re home for the holidays, but to really enjoy their families. These guys just got done with their finals. These guys have been working extremely hard. It will be nice to have a couple days off.”
