Marquette University Athletics
Coach Crean Comments On This Year's Squad
10/31/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 31, 1999
Q: Reflect upon building a team at Michigan State that evolved into a Final Four team -- how do you relate an experience like that now jumping into your first head coaching job at Marquette?
A: I think the most important for me to remember day in and day out is, not only what it was like to have a team like we had last year, but more importantly how it was built it to get it to the point to where it is now. I think this is the stage we are in at Marquette right now. I just try to remember all those lessons and keep that blueprint for success in front of me at Marquette. Walking in and inheriting very good people who want to get better, who want to learn and who want to work hard has been rewarding to me.
Q: You are coming to a program that is strong in tradition. How you can put your hand print on this program.
A: I think it's a great situation that when you walk into a place like Marquette, there are great experiences that both the fans and alumni have been through. It energizes you to want to get to the point to where we would like to lay our own footprints as we start this era. At the same time, I know that we are in the beginning stage of that. It's so important that we continue to get better on a daily basis, and I know that it sounds like a cliche, but it's the only way I really know how to do it. We can learn from the tradition of the past, learn from the people of the past and try to make the Bradley Center a home court advantage for us. I think that first and foremost this is what the great tradition brought -- it was very tough to get a win at Marquette. One of the greatest things we could start to get accomplished is to get people in there and really supporting these young guys as we build this program.
Q: You are inheriting a team that has four of its top five scorers back. You also had a pretty good rebounding team a year ago and, although you've lost one of your key rebounders, everyone else is back. Can you size up, as you look in terms of practice, how they are meshing together and how the mentioned components are fitting together?
A: Those are the keys. You talk about rebounding -- that's so important right now to what we are trying to do, not only on the defensive end but the offensive end as well. We need to find a way to get easy baskets. We need to find a way to make our effort and hustle a part of what our success could possibly be as we move on.
Rebounding and becoming a very good defensive team, those are things that are vital. I think the fact that we have so many players back who understand each other, it's important that we get that kind of team bond going on the defensive end and when it comes to being a rebounding team -- kind of gang rebounding team. If we can get to that point, then I think we are going to see the rest of our game move up as time goes on.
Q: Are the players adapting well to your system
A: I believe so. Anytime there is change, it's going to painful for awhile, but their effort has been good. I think that they are learning what I expect. The coaching staff tries to bring intensity and enthusiasm everyday to them and in turn have them go somewhere with it and maybe by the end of practice, they're the ones who are leading it.
