University of Houston Athletics
Q & A with men's basketball coach Ray McCallum
11/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2003
The University of Houston men's basketball team opens the 2003-04 season with an exhibition game against the Texas Blue Chips on Monday night, November 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Hofheinz Pavilion.
The Cougars return four starters from last season and have added two junior college transfers and four highly touted freshmen to this year's roster. Senior Andy Ikeakor is a transfer from Tennessee who will join the team in December.
Head coach Ray McCallum answered questions previewing Monday night's game against the Blue Chips. Houston opens the regular season against East Tennessee State on Friday, November 21, at 7:30 p.m.
How is everyone progressing so far?
We are progressing very well. Guys are getting better. They have a better understanding about the intensity with which you have the play, how hard you have to play and what we are trying to get done as a team. They have responded very well to this point.
Who has stood out of late?
I think Cedrick Hensley has gotten out of the blocks and shown he spent some time in the offseason gaining confidence in his shot and working on his game. Andre Owens missed the first four or five days because of illness, but has come on since then and shown the form he finished with last year. Marcus Oliver has come back and steadily improved each week as he gets more confident and comfortable in his knee. Anwar Ferguson has shown real improvement from a year ago and I have been please about that. Bryan Shelton has come back stronger and better all-round player.
Who has been the biggest surprise on the team?
From my standpoint, I had a good idea what the guys can do because I have been involved in every individual workout this fall when I wasn't on the road recruiting. I have a good idea what the guys can do in terms of their shooting, passing and ball-handling, speed and quickness. It has helped me assess their strengths and weakness individually and the things we need to work on as we build this team.
Are you excited to play a real game Monday night?
I am really excited to play an exhibition because we need to see an opponent in a different uniform in a game that does not count on our record. It will give me the opportunity to look a different combinations as we head into our season opener on Friday. Our goals is to win each ball game and show consistent improvement in our non-conference schedule. Is the team ready for a game?
They are ready for a game. Players are always ready to play a game. They have felt like they were ready after the first eight games. I can say that we are much further along today than we were a year ago and that is important.
What is your biggest concern heading into the exhibition game?
Rebounding and defense. We have really emphasized taking care of the basketball and our turnovers must come down from a year ago. I believe they will come down because we are a much better ball-handling and passing team. We also have a much better value of the basketball.
What will be your strength of this year's team?
Our guard play and our depth of our guards. We have perimeter players who can play a couple of positions and have a group of guys who can handle, pass and shoot the ball.
What do you like what you have seen from your newcomers?
They are very competitive people and they come to work every day. They have gotten better and are preparing to contribute immediately. I like that and they will get an opportunity this year.
Who must play well for this team to win?
We don't have a First-Team, All-Conference USA player. We have to play good team basketball. We have to play good team defense, rebound as a team and the ball has to move on the offensive end. We have to share the basketball as a team and create a balanced scoring options. We have some guys who have proven they can put the ball in the basket. We will need some consistency from our experience guys and that will help us.
I think that spreads the pressure around and lets everyone know that all of them are important parts in the success of this team.
