AC Alex Kaldis and G Mackenzie Hughes recap the Tuesday loss to Eastern Kentucky and preview Friday’s contest against Wyoming
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uh what’s kind of the um message to the team after a game like like last night? Is it kind of looking at the tape or is it kind of a burn the tape kind of game? How do you approach uh analyzing that? Yeah, I definitely think that we’re looking at the tape. Um obviously defensively is something that we’ve been able to hang our hat on for the last couple of games. So to come out in the first half and um be pretty poor on that side of the ball is something we definitely want to look at and how to fix. Um, we ran some different things defensively that we definitely want to look at and improve at um, so we can use them as we get later into non-conference and into conference as well. Um, so that’s definitely something that we’re looking at. And then offensive side of the ball, there’s always stuff for us to get better at. I mean, we’ve been consistent kind of with our turnovers and it’s a number that we want to get down. So any way we can look at the tape and help our players, whether it’s skill-wise or schematic wise, that we could help them is something that we believe is important as well. I think you guys had a a season high last night in terms of points, I’m pretty sure. Um, what do you what do you guys have to do or what are you guys working on to maybe make that effort show up more consistently, I guess. Yeah, I mean, offensive wise, I mean, confidence is a big thing for our team. So, just making sure I mean, we’re getting open looks um from the threes that we’re shooting. Um, we’re getting open looks on the block. We’re getting layups that are just not falling. So, like we just got to make sure that our team is confident. Um, that’s the biggest thing that they know that they can hit these shots that they’ve done their whole lives. Um, and then kind of just schematic wise trying to put them in the best position possible to get the easiest amount of points that they can. Um, so that’s kind of what we’re working on throughout this week here as we head into Wyoming. Um, on the offensive end is just making sure the confidence is high and that we’re playing aggressive to the rim. Um, as free throws have been probably the strong point of our offense so far. being able to get to the line, also being able to defend and not give up free throws on the defensive end. So, if we just keep harping on that, and then our shooters just keep shooting the shots when they’re open, they’re going to start falling at some point. How important is it to I I think the first quarter last night, you guys were three for 15 from the field. How important is it for that confidence maybe to to get those shooters uh starting hot, I guess? Yeah, definitely want them to get going early. I mean, that would be um really good for us. I think that it plays handinhand with the defensive side of the ball as well. Um we got to be really good at moving on from possession to possession. You can’t hold a defensive bust um with you when you go to the offensive end and think about that last play. You got to move on to the next play. Um so you can just solely think about that offensive possession and that offensive shot that we’re trying to get. Um but yeah, like our warm-up is really important too, right, for getting off and being able to have good starts. So, us being able to warm up really well, building that confidence in warm-ups, getting a good groove is what’s going to help those five be able to hit shots starting out in the game. Uh, Kenzie, who’s had a a season high last night. Um, do you think she’s kind of getting used to the D1 level or maybe growing? And I know it’s just five games in, but do you feel like there’s been some growth there? Yeah, I think that she was always ready to go from the jump. That’s why we brought her in. Um, and we’ve always known she can play at this level. Um, I do believe last night was a really good confidence booster for her um to show that the shots are falling. She’s been getting open looks all year and now that they’re starting to go in, um, she’s going to start being more aggressive to the lane as she hits her three. Teams are going to come out her come out on her a little bit harder. So, she’s going to be able to get more open looks as she attacks the lane. Um, so we’re just hoping that she can build on this performance, but it was really good to see her start hitting shots and being offensively aggressive. um last night. What have you thought of uh uh London Harris so far? True freshman getting quite a lot like getting starts and getting a lot of playing time. London Harris embodies toughness. Um she’s someone that we believe that we can throw around any situation and she’s never going to get too high and she’s never going to get too low. Um we believe that she is always like kind of like the rock for our team. As a freshman, that’s really rare. She has a maturity about her where she does have a competitive edge, and you obviously saw that a little bit last night, but she is someone that is extremely competitive, cares a lot about her game and what she’s doing, and it’s someone that um we believe we can play as much as she does, and that she’ll be a rock for us on both ends of the floor. Hi again, Kenzie. Um after a game like, uh last night, um I know coach said maybe you guys are looking at some things. Um, have you guys gotten to look at the tape at all or or talked about last night at all about I know we talked about last night defensive lapses, but anything else comes to mind, I guess, what what you guys need to be doing better? Um, I guess overall just um focusing on our defensive end, getting back to how we how we do play. We are obviously a very great defensive team. Um, and we just need to get back to how we systematically do things. Um, and just kind of looking forward. We have like a quick turnover for our game on Friday, so we didn’t focus too much on this pass game. Um we have to learn from our mistakes obviously but we are looking ahead. So five games in um last night you had the season high. Do you feel like you’ve felt some a little bit of growth so far or is are the shots just falling right now? Um I guess it it’s obviously good to have some shots fall. Gives you um gave me some confidence. Um but yeah, I think that like coach Clattis said, I have been ready um for this level and I’ve been excited to play, but it’s um I definitely have seen some growth in like the offensive side and just kind of gaining my confidence back. Is confidence a big thing right now for the team offensively because you know like I mentioned to coach three for 15 in the first half, but you guys found some rhythm. Is is it a matter of getting that confidence quicker and maybe earlier in a game then? I think yeah. Um starting in warm-ups, obviously we want a good warm-up. Um, but I think just throughout the game, like when shots aren’t falling early, I do think it’s important to stay confident. Um, we’re very, very mindful of reminding each other that like shots are going to fall. Um, obviously sometimes they don’t, but you just have to keep shooting it because it will go in. So, um, you’ve obviously been in collegiate athletics for a while now. Have you, and this is a pretty young team. Have you taken on a leadership role at all with this this team, do you think? I would say yes. I have three years of past experience with Coach Hutter, obviously. So, um, that’s I think I’ve used that to my advantage of kind of like helping the team figure out like what he means when he says certain things and just kind of guiding them. Um, but yeah, I’m I’m happy to be the person that they can rely on for that. Do you think uh there’s any uh respect with maybe like a like a London Harris or some of those young girls who see that you kind of worked your way up to the D1 level? Do you think there might be some added respect there or any any sense in that? Um, I guess maybe. Uh obviously, um when I was at Mayville, we did get the opportunity to play UND. Um but yeah, I think that like all levels can compete with one another. Um I think coming here is awesome and I think that like they have shown a level of respect like they think it’s so cool that like I have made this transition, but obviously it would not be possible without any of my previous teammates or coaches. So um I don’t think I I’ll get a chance to ask you before it happens. You pretty excited to head over to the Virgin Islands? Oh yes, I am so excited. I have been on one other Thanksgiving trip, but um I’m really excited to go out there and compete against two really good teams out there. So I know Coach Hutter obviously emphasizes family. Um are you guys planning to do anything for Thanksgiving then as a team or anything? Um honestly, we have not discussed that yet. The coaches might have. I am unsure at the moment, but hope I’m assuming. I think we have a good amount of parents coming, so I would assume we probably would try to get together with them. Nice.
