Head Coach Bruce Weber, Rudi Williams Address the Media Tuesday
Nov 17, 2020 | Men's Basketball
K-State Adjusts 2020-21 Schedule, Announces Several Game TimesK-State Announces Attendance Restrictions at Bramlage Coliseum
The Wildcats continue to work toward their season opener on November 25
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State head coach Bruce Weber and junior college transfer Rudi Williams met with members of the media via Zoom on Tuesday, as the Wildcats continued to work towards their season opener against Drake at 1 p.m., CT on Wednesday, November 25 in the first game of the Little Apple Classic at Bramlage Coliseum. The game will air nationally on ESPNU.
K-State and Drake will be joined in the Little Apple Classic field by former Big 12 rival and current Pac-12 foe Colorado and South Dakota, which will meet in the tournament's second game on November 25 at 7 p.m., CT. Drake and South Dakota will tip off the tournament's final day on Friday, November 27 at 1 p.m., CT followed of the renewal of the rivalry between K-State and Colorado for the first time since 2011 at 7:30 p.m., CT on ESPNU.
K-STATE HEAD COACH BRUCE WEBER
On the challenges of getting a basketball season started...
"Well, I think our people have done a great job of being disciplined and diligent, including our players. Even when you do all that, we still have had our issues with it. Every day is a new challenge. My wife just laughs. By 8:30 p.m. (every night), I am getting a call from a coach, parent, a trainer or somebody. There are so many things involved, the COVID-19 tracing, etc. But also the mental health. That's a really big factor. I just hope and pray for our guys. I am not sure how many bodies we will have next Wednesday, but I hope we get to play for their sake. Our whole thing we have talked about since last spring is a (Philadelphia 76er head coach) Doc Rivers' quote about 'winning the wait'. We have had to be resilient, we had to stay with it. And now we are so close to playing. I hope we get an opportunity to play. The NCAA had an emergency call yesterday. They were calling about the NCAA Tournament and what's the best way to do it, maybe at one place. It's been hard. I will tell you but I am trying to keep the faith. I am trying to be there for our players. I have said numerous times in these interviews, right now everyone needs hope, understanding, a purpose, love and empathy. That's what I'm trying to do. Obviously, you want to win some games along the way. But probably more importantly, be there for the guys in this tough time."
On if the team has been able to practice the way they want…
"Well, basketball is played with five guys on the court. We had seven in practice, eight the other day. We scrimmaged with refs the other day. They allowed us to scrimmage with Big 12 officials for the first time. We had eight guys who could practice, so we played four-on-four. It's different and again, you make the best of it. You try to keep encouraging the players. They have been great. They have been working really hard. I have no idea what we will look like when we get out there. I am sure other people, other coaches will have the same feel. You don't have the exhibition games, you don't have scrimmages, you don't have officials. You've been limited with numbers. Like I said, you try to make the best of it. Hope for our guys sake they can get to play and have a season."
On having the NCAA Tournament in a bubble format….
"It's not going to be an easy task, just like having a season is not going to be an easy task. If what we think is going to happen where one team will have played 15 games and somebody else will have (played) 20 games and somebody won't get to play as many. There are a lot of challenges there. I think the NCAA is thinking ahead. We, even as Big 12 coaches, have had discussions of if we are thinking ahead. If we have states shutting down, lockdowns, can we go someplace and still have a chance to have a season? Obviously, financially, it's not as easy. You can say it as a coach. But somebody has to back it financially. I think the NCAA wants to have it for our culture and it's a major money maker. It is also an unbelievable opportunity for our players. I think they feel like they can limit the travel and have all the teams in one place and really manage it like the NBA did, we have a pretty good chance of having the NCAA Tournament. Right now, I think that's the number one goal."
On what contact tracing would do for sidelining players…
"It will certainly have an impact. Usually it (contact tracing) would be an apartment or dorm. We have two apartments with four guys and then we have the dorms. One has two and one has three. So, it could be as many as that. The big thing with that is there are a bunch of devices out there. You talked about Coach (Chris) Klieman going through that with football. We have had to deal with it. In some ways, we have been fortunate that we have not been shut down. We just got to hope for the best. The league (Big 12) is going to say that you will need to have six scholarship players to have a game. We have had talks about seven players. It has gone back and forth. This is the one time that walk-ons may be very important to get through a season."
On having fans for the first couple of games…
"I know it's in discussion whether they will allow it. Obviously, commencement just got cancelled this morning I was told. Our state is one of the higher positive percentages in the country. President Myers is worried about the Manhattan community, hospitalization, and all that stuff. I think they will make the best decision for the safety of everybody. Even though we would love to have fans, the big thing is getting to the games. That will help us. It may not be pretty, but it will be nice to get there."
On being on the fringe of the season and making good decisions ...
"There is no doubt. We talk about it constantly. I try to make them aware of things. Some of them are aware of numbers because they pay attention, they want the season. They are on each other. I talk to our doctor (Dr. Kyle Goerl), who has done an unbelievable job, not just with K-State, but with the Big 12. I just said, 'How did these guys get it?' He just said sometimes they are just in the wrong place. Like a lot of things in life. Sometimes things just happen and you got to make the best of it. We just go day-by-day and try to be there for the guys."
On the limited numbers and the effect it has on game plans...
"I really think the defense. I asked the coaches the other day what they fear the most. Each one said something different. I said I was not sure about our sustained defense and transition defense. Because they have not gone up and down. We will have to do a good job of rotating guys. We have to build up some endurance as we go. Keep them fresh as possible. But you still want to win, that is still the goal. You don't have that exhibition game to go through. But again, I hope the other teams are going through the same thing. I think our guys have bought into our offense and are starting to learn. If we can get Rudi (Williams) to cut a little harder every time and cut with a purpose (laughter), I think he can make some strides and be a little more of a threat. But that will come in time. And then if somebody throws some crazy defense, are we going to be ready for that? The coaches press is not a good press. It is going to be different going against some live action."
JUNIOR GUARD RUDI WILLIAMS
On the difficulty of adjusting to the team's style of play...
"Yeah, I would say that. All the newcomers are coming from different styles of basketball. I'm coming from junior college, Carlton (LInguard) is coming from junior college, and the rest of them are coming from high school. So, we all had different types of play styles and traditions that we followed. But now you come here, you have to learn different schemes and different types of offenses that the coaches have put into motion. So, we all have had to learn the K-State style of basketball. It has been hard but they are on us and they don't stop coaching us. It takes time, but you eventually get it. I am starting to understand it and get why they are doing it."
On what he has improved on since arriving at K-State...
"So far, I would say I have gotten better defensively. The coaches drill that constantly, that's our staple. I just became better playing off instincts and playing off the ball. It always involves a lot of cutting, screening. I have gotten a lot better at that. Because I am used to having the ball in my hands all the time. So, I have gotten better at scoring when somebody else has the ball and playing the easier, simpler way.
On arriving at K-State as one of the older players on the roster...
"There is a little pressure because us being so young, I am one of two upperclassmen on the team. So, I put that pressure on myself to be a leader and be an instant impact guy on our team. I also understand that I am new to this as well. Even with me being as old as I am, it is also my first go around with K-State men's basketball and playing basketball at this level. At the end of the day, I want to be a leader here and I want to help our team win, so I got to do what I got to do.
On what being a point guard does for adding another element to his game...
"As a point guard, I am supposed to know my positioning and know what is going on with the other four spots on the floor. I am supposed to be a vocal leader and the on-court coach. I have to kind of learn our stuff a little faster and the coaches are a little more harder on me than they are on the other positions and the younger guys. They need that from me and that is what is going to help us be successful."
On how good the younger players are on the team...
"Honestly, I didn't know how good the young guys would be when I got here. It is a huge jump for all these guys coming out of high school. But they are all so talented. They all bring something different to the table. Since the summertime, I have been so amazed by each and every one of them. I go up against Nijel (Pack) a lot every day in practice because he is the other point guard. He is so solid with his craft, he is smart. Selton (Miguel), he is honestly just a beast. He is super skilled and he can do a lot of things on the court. Davion (Bradford) is a space eater on the floor. Luke (Kasubke) got hurt, but from what I have seen, he was more than just a shooter. I think people thought he would just only be a shooter and shoot threes, but he slashes and gets to the rim as well. Seryee (Lewis), he is athletic and plays really hard. They are all really talented."
K-State and Drake will be joined in the Little Apple Classic field by former Big 12 rival and current Pac-12 foe Colorado and South Dakota, which will meet in the tournament's second game on November 25 at 7 p.m., CT. Drake and South Dakota will tip off the tournament's final day on Friday, November 27 at 1 p.m., CT followed of the renewal of the rivalry between K-State and Colorado for the first time since 2011 at 7:30 p.m., CT on ESPNU.
K-STATE HEAD COACH BRUCE WEBER
On the challenges of getting a basketball season started...
"Well, I think our people have done a great job of being disciplined and diligent, including our players. Even when you do all that, we still have had our issues with it. Every day is a new challenge. My wife just laughs. By 8:30 p.m. (every night), I am getting a call from a coach, parent, a trainer or somebody. There are so many things involved, the COVID-19 tracing, etc. But also the mental health. That's a really big factor. I just hope and pray for our guys. I am not sure how many bodies we will have next Wednesday, but I hope we get to play for their sake. Our whole thing we have talked about since last spring is a (Philadelphia 76er head coach) Doc Rivers' quote about 'winning the wait'. We have had to be resilient, we had to stay with it. And now we are so close to playing. I hope we get an opportunity to play. The NCAA had an emergency call yesterday. They were calling about the NCAA Tournament and what's the best way to do it, maybe at one place. It's been hard. I will tell you but I am trying to keep the faith. I am trying to be there for our players. I have said numerous times in these interviews, right now everyone needs hope, understanding, a purpose, love and empathy. That's what I'm trying to do. Obviously, you want to win some games along the way. But probably more importantly, be there for the guys in this tough time."
On if the team has been able to practice the way they want…
"Well, basketball is played with five guys on the court. We had seven in practice, eight the other day. We scrimmaged with refs the other day. They allowed us to scrimmage with Big 12 officials for the first time. We had eight guys who could practice, so we played four-on-four. It's different and again, you make the best of it. You try to keep encouraging the players. They have been great. They have been working really hard. I have no idea what we will look like when we get out there. I am sure other people, other coaches will have the same feel. You don't have the exhibition games, you don't have scrimmages, you don't have officials. You've been limited with numbers. Like I said, you try to make the best of it. Hope for our guys sake they can get to play and have a season."
On having the NCAA Tournament in a bubble format….
"It's not going to be an easy task, just like having a season is not going to be an easy task. If what we think is going to happen where one team will have played 15 games and somebody else will have (played) 20 games and somebody won't get to play as many. There are a lot of challenges there. I think the NCAA is thinking ahead. We, even as Big 12 coaches, have had discussions of if we are thinking ahead. If we have states shutting down, lockdowns, can we go someplace and still have a chance to have a season? Obviously, financially, it's not as easy. You can say it as a coach. But somebody has to back it financially. I think the NCAA wants to have it for our culture and it's a major money maker. It is also an unbelievable opportunity for our players. I think they feel like they can limit the travel and have all the teams in one place and really manage it like the NBA did, we have a pretty good chance of having the NCAA Tournament. Right now, I think that's the number one goal."
On what contact tracing would do for sidelining players…
"It will certainly have an impact. Usually it (contact tracing) would be an apartment or dorm. We have two apartments with four guys and then we have the dorms. One has two and one has three. So, it could be as many as that. The big thing with that is there are a bunch of devices out there. You talked about Coach (Chris) Klieman going through that with football. We have had to deal with it. In some ways, we have been fortunate that we have not been shut down. We just got to hope for the best. The league (Big 12) is going to say that you will need to have six scholarship players to have a game. We have had talks about seven players. It has gone back and forth. This is the one time that walk-ons may be very important to get through a season."
On having fans for the first couple of games…
"I know it's in discussion whether they will allow it. Obviously, commencement just got cancelled this morning I was told. Our state is one of the higher positive percentages in the country. President Myers is worried about the Manhattan community, hospitalization, and all that stuff. I think they will make the best decision for the safety of everybody. Even though we would love to have fans, the big thing is getting to the games. That will help us. It may not be pretty, but it will be nice to get there."
On being on the fringe of the season and making good decisions ...
"There is no doubt. We talk about it constantly. I try to make them aware of things. Some of them are aware of numbers because they pay attention, they want the season. They are on each other. I talk to our doctor (Dr. Kyle Goerl), who has done an unbelievable job, not just with K-State, but with the Big 12. I just said, 'How did these guys get it?' He just said sometimes they are just in the wrong place. Like a lot of things in life. Sometimes things just happen and you got to make the best of it. We just go day-by-day and try to be there for the guys."
On the limited numbers and the effect it has on game plans...
"I really think the defense. I asked the coaches the other day what they fear the most. Each one said something different. I said I was not sure about our sustained defense and transition defense. Because they have not gone up and down. We will have to do a good job of rotating guys. We have to build up some endurance as we go. Keep them fresh as possible. But you still want to win, that is still the goal. You don't have that exhibition game to go through. But again, I hope the other teams are going through the same thing. I think our guys have bought into our offense and are starting to learn. If we can get Rudi (Williams) to cut a little harder every time and cut with a purpose (laughter), I think he can make some strides and be a little more of a threat. But that will come in time. And then if somebody throws some crazy defense, are we going to be ready for that? The coaches press is not a good press. It is going to be different going against some live action."
JUNIOR GUARD RUDI WILLIAMS
On the difficulty of adjusting to the team's style of play...
"Yeah, I would say that. All the newcomers are coming from different styles of basketball. I'm coming from junior college, Carlton (LInguard) is coming from junior college, and the rest of them are coming from high school. So, we all had different types of play styles and traditions that we followed. But now you come here, you have to learn different schemes and different types of offenses that the coaches have put into motion. So, we all have had to learn the K-State style of basketball. It has been hard but they are on us and they don't stop coaching us. It takes time, but you eventually get it. I am starting to understand it and get why they are doing it."
On what he has improved on since arriving at K-State...
"So far, I would say I have gotten better defensively. The coaches drill that constantly, that's our staple. I just became better playing off instincts and playing off the ball. It always involves a lot of cutting, screening. I have gotten a lot better at that. Because I am used to having the ball in my hands all the time. So, I have gotten better at scoring when somebody else has the ball and playing the easier, simpler way.
On arriving at K-State as one of the older players on the roster...
"There is a little pressure because us being so young, I am one of two upperclassmen on the team. So, I put that pressure on myself to be a leader and be an instant impact guy on our team. I also understand that I am new to this as well. Even with me being as old as I am, it is also my first go around with K-State men's basketball and playing basketball at this level. At the end of the day, I want to be a leader here and I want to help our team win, so I got to do what I got to do.
On what being a point guard does for adding another element to his game...
"As a point guard, I am supposed to know my positioning and know what is going on with the other four spots on the floor. I am supposed to be a vocal leader and the on-court coach. I have to kind of learn our stuff a little faster and the coaches are a little more harder on me than they are on the other positions and the younger guys. They need that from me and that is what is going to help us be successful."
On how good the younger players are on the team...
"Honestly, I didn't know how good the young guys would be when I got here. It is a huge jump for all these guys coming out of high school. But they are all so talented. They all bring something different to the table. Since the summertime, I have been so amazed by each and every one of them. I go up against Nijel (Pack) a lot every day in practice because he is the other point guard. He is so solid with his craft, he is smart. Selton (Miguel), he is honestly just a beast. He is super skilled and he can do a lot of things on the court. Davion (Bradford) is a space eater on the floor. Luke (Kasubke) got hurt, but from what I have seen, he was more than just a shooter. I think people thought he would just only be a shooter and shoot threes, but he slashes and gets to the rim as well. Seryee (Lewis), he is athletic and plays really hard. They are all really talented."
Players Mentioned
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