April 7, 2009
BAYLOR WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 | Season-Ending Press Conference
HEAD COACH Scott Drew
On his team's run in the NIT...
"Finishing out with the NIT tournament was a great experience for the basketball team and I know how excited the returning players are. After that tournament run, they will be extremely motivated this summer because they're anxious to get back to an environment like that."
On impact of Baylor's NIT run...
"For our program, it is huge especially for the standpoint of recruiting. There is new excitement for next year for both the fans and for the players. When you end the season on a good note like that, you want more of it and playing in the NIT championship will motivate them to work that much harder."
On having the extra practice and games...
"Having had that extra practice is always much better than being on a break. It helps the team get better and each game was also something to can from and will be better because of those experiences."
On senior class' success...
"Just going through something like that (NIT) was incredible especially for our senior class. The beginning of their freshman year was tough, missing part of the season and then not playing as well as they would have liked in that second season. However, in the third season, we found success and made it to the postseason. And with this final season we had success and then a drought and at the end they were able to persevere. Everything is a building block and this senior class is leaving a lot for us to build on."
On television exposure...
"First of all, from a recruiting standpoint, there is a lot more respect and attention given to us than before. We have had a lot of television exposure because of what we did the year before and hopefully with our success in the post-season it will carry over into next year. We hope that the Bears will become a household name because of the visibility."
On Tweety Carter...
"Tweety has had some good guards to learn from. As far as next year goes, we will have to adapt to our system, but we'll also bring in some other guards. You have to have multiple people to handle the ball because you're going to get into foul trouble, have injuries and things like that. We are going to be bringing some new guys in who have some great potential to play here. Like any other high school players, they will have to adapt to the college level and become stronger. But all of our recruits have great potential and we look forward to adding them to our program."
On departure of Coach Driscoll to North Florida...
"Although we are sad to see Coach Driscoll go, it is a great compliment to him and what he did for our staff. He brought a lot to this program over the past six years and I think having a staff stay together for six years says a lot about the Waco community as well as the Baylor family."
SENIOR GUARD Curtis Jerrells
Looking back...
"It's tough to think that it is over, but you have to move on. We have been around here for a while now and I know we are all anxious to see what is coming next in our future."
On his future...
"I haven't been hearing too much about continuing my career because I was focused on the tournament and wrapping up the season. And I was at home with my family this past weekend and didn't take too many phone calls. These last four years have been an addition already and I am blessed to have gotten the chance to come here and continue to play. We'll just have to see what the future holds, tomorrow I will start looking into opportunities and having meetings so we'll see where it goes from there."
On his immediate future...
"Right now I think that we are all on the path to get our degrees in May. We have come a long way and we might as well finish it up. It is important to us and to our families."
On Tweety taking the reins next season...
"I think Tweety is ready to handle the leadership position next year. He did a great job stepping up and leading us this past season when he didn't even have to so I think he's ready for it. He'll definitely be fun to watch next year."
SENIOR FORWARD Kevin Rogers
On the Baylor program...
"Like we have said all along, the sky is the limit. Our goal was to make Baylor a household name nationally and I feel like we have done a great job of doing that over the last four years. We feel confident leaving the program in the hands of Tweety and Lace; we were only a stepping stone and we know they are going to do a great job carrying on what we have started."
On the future...
"I have a lot of meetings set up, talking to coaches and getting their feedback. I'm going to relax and enjoy this week and we will see what happens."
SENIOR GUARD Henry Dugat
On his senior season...
"Looking back, it was a long season, but it went by really fast. It was a tough season, but we learned a lot and hopefully those guys returning will be able to capitalize on that next year."
On the future...
"Right now, I am focusing on finishing the job I started here and that is getting my degree. While I'm doing that I hope to find the right person to represent me wherever I go next. I plan to continue to work hard and hopefully play in the NBA one day."
JUNIOR GUARD Tweety Carter
On the outgoing senior class...
"With these guys leaving, it'll be tough shoes to fill, but I think that I'm ready. They have showed me a lot about this game that I didn't know before. And I know that I can call them anytime. The stuff we went through this year prepared me to be a leader. I have learned to not take a day of practice for granted and to come in ready to work hard because you never know when it will be your last."
On being the leader next season...
"I'm not going to back down from any challenge that crosses this team. I know that I have to be the kind of leader that can handle the pressure. I'm going to work hard this summer and be ready when we come back in the fall."
On the team's run through the NIT...
"Going through this, there are times you'd rather be in the NCAA but being in the NIT brought this team closer together. I think we learned a lot and were grateful still having a chance to play and have fun."
SOPHOMORE GUARD LaceDarius Dunn
Looking back at his time with outgoing senior class...
"It has been a journey since coming in my freshman year, and a great one at that. I have learned a lot being able to play with these seniors. It's a different experience, playing on the collegiate level. I look up to these guys like brothers and to see them leave is really what's hurting the most right now. They showed me around and showed me what to do and what not to do and I realize that I'm going to have to step up and be a leader."
On his increasing role next season...
"I wouldn't say that point production is going to fall on me because we other guys who are able to contribute to the team. I'm just going to focus on getting better this summer. There is always a weakness in your game and you have to find it. I've been working on driving and I'll start working on my ball handling pretty soon."
On the recent success of the program...
"I feel like the bar has been raised but there are more bars to be raised. When I was a junior in high school looking to come here, this program was down in the hole but now there is a lot of confidence; it has come a long way. There have been ups and downs, but with our recent success, everyone has been able to put that aside."
On the departure of Coach Driscoll...
"Coach Driscoll leaving was really disappointing, but he has to do what he has to do. He was a great coach who taught me a lot; he pushed me to the next level and seeing him leave is a lot to take. But seeing Coach Drew stay committed to this program is great, too. I appreciate him for all that he has done here and look up to him as a father figure."
SENIOR CENTER Mamadou Diene
Looking back on his time at Baylor...
"It has been a long road since 2005 and I don't really know what I am doing with my life right now. I can't leave the gym; I have been programmed to come here for the last five years. I am here in the gym practicing everyday and it's going to be tough. There isn't much to do without practice and I don't have a lot of class right now so I have a lot of free time."
On the future...
"I've been talking to some people right now trying to see if I can go play overseas, but I don't know what is going to happen yet. So we will see."
