Q&A with Head Coach Bruce Weber, Part 2
Apr 20, 2020 | Men's Basketball
K-State head coach Bruce Weber met with members of the media last Wednesday (April 15) via Zoom to discuss the Wildcats' latest two signees (Seryee Lewis and Rudi Williams) among other topics. This is the second part of that Q&A session that addresses a variety of topics heading into the 2020-21 season.
On communicating with the team during this time and learning new technology…
"I had to have a lot of lessons (on some of the technology). I'm lucky I have two phones and iPad because I had to have different people on the phone helping me. I remember the first Zoom call I made I was sweating a little to make sure I didn't hit the wrong button, making sure they could hear me, etc. It has been an interesting transition. I basically get up every morning and my wife sends me to the basement and I start making calls from my office. I come up for lunch and we have recess (laughter) and I take a little walk with her, come back have a healthy snack, then I go back to the basement and get on the phone. It has been stressful. It hasn't been easy. But we have been fortunate to sign a couple of guys that we really like.
"You know they told us that recruiting was going to start back up April 15 then May 1 then maybe June. I think coaches and parents start to think we are going to have to make decisions now and not wait. We are fortunate that we have a great video staff. They put together some highlights and (virtual) tours together that have helped explain what we have to offer here at K-State. We have just done our best. You wouldn't wish this circumstance on anyone, so we have just tried to make the best of it.
"That has been one of the things that we have talked to our players and the recruits about in being at home, is that you have to do more with less. If we can do that, we will all be better for it when this is over."
On Kaosi Ezeagu and does he project to be a starter…
"Well, I hope he can be a starter. He has the physicality to be a very competitive player for us. We feel good about our big guys coming back. He definitely changed practice once he was able to play for us (at mid-year). Someone told me that they thought Mak (Mawien) played better once Kaosi started practicing with us and I certainly think that's true. He made practice tough for our bigs. And when you are on the scout squad, you can just go out and not worry about missing a shot.
"The one bad thing about him not being here was that we thought we were really making progress with him. Ben (O'Donnell) with him in the weight room, the coaches with his hands and his foot work. Now we have to depend on him to do it his own. But that's true of all of our guys. The self-discipline, doing more with less. Those things are so, so important. With Kaosi, those first couple of weeks back in Toronto, it's cold and snowing and he can't get in gyms. He was frustrated and wanted to know what to do. I remember when I visited him that he had a garage and I told him, it's not so cold in there. Ben has been sending him different ideas to work on his foot work. It's going back to old school. They going to have to have some imagination and some creativity to help themselves get better."
On Mike McGuirl stepping up as a leader...
"I think they can. Right now, Mike has really taken it upon himself to be a leader. As well as DaJuan (Gordon). I talked to you guys through the season about DaJuan. He said a lot as a freshman and cares so much. He is concerned about everybody. We have talked about as a group that even though we are far away that we have to be closer when we come back. These guys are playing video games (online) together. They have their group chats. Another chat with the coaches. As I said before we are trying to do individual calls, group calls every day. It's going to be challenge."
On the injuries to various players…
"Well, I feel bad for Selton (Miguel) because he couldn't even get into a doctor's office (with the pandemic) and get an X-Ray (for his hand). Luke (Sauber; athletic trainer) is trying to be cautious with him. We think (the hand) is healed. He spent the right amount of time (for it to heal). Luke and the doctors are trying to Face time with him to make sure he is making progress. Luke has suggested various exercises to help. His prep school coach has told me that he is already working out, we just don't want him to go too fast and make sure it's healed. I told him how important he is to us next year. I don't want that hand to have an issue. Just has to be a little more patient. I also suggested that he should use that left hand more anyway. My mom always told me that 'God put difficulties in your life to make you better', so hopefully, he can take advantage of this situation to make his left hand better.
"With Montavious (Murphy), he just got his brace off. He called me right before this (media availability) to tell me that he feels really, good and is doing some things. I told him that I just don't want him to go too fast. Luke and Ben have done a lot to help with his progression.
"I don't know if you guys know that DaJuan had a procedure the day after they canceled the Big 12 Championship. We got it done that afternoon because we knew everyone was going to have to go home. He was in a brace for four weeks and just got out of it. He is feeling better and making progress."
On the departures of Cartier Diarra and David Sloan…
"I think everyone knew Carti's situation. I don't want to say I was surprised by David's decision, but I still thought he would stay for his senior season. This is nation-wide. Kids are at home and people are talking to them that don't always know the reality (of the situation). If these guys were back here for workouts, we would be able to talk to them and give them love and you wouldn't quite have as many transfers as you have nation-wide. It is tough situation, lots of unknowns. We talk to our guys all the time, we don't know what is going to happen. We have lots of hopes and prayers that we will be able to be back on campus and have a season next year, but we don't know. So why add another unknown in your life?
"It is a tough thing (to lose David), but we really feel good about Nijel, we feel great about Rudi and even Selton. He played point guard for most of the season (at West Oaks Academy), so you have three guys who can handle the ball. I thought Mike (McGuirl) ended the year on a positive note. He had his best passing game against TCU (in Big 12 Championship) with 6 assists and 1 turnover. I know he has really taken over the leadership of our team as a senior. And DaJuan (Gordon) wants to really get better at handling the basketball. I hope we are going to be more versatile and have more guys who can score in different ways and more guys who can pass and dribble."
On the recruiting class and how many could be starters on next year's team…
"I'm not sure about that yet. I know that we have to have 2 or 3 of them become major factors for our team. Our older guys also have to help them. We just got off a Zoom call with our guys and several of them (older guys) spoke up, including all 3 of the freshmen from last year. Antonio (Gordon) and DaJuan told them (new guys), 'This is hard and you have to listen to these guys.' I was really, proud of Antonio talking about listening. He didn't realize it last year. The more you listen and get yourself ready, the more success you will have, both individually and as a team."
On comparing Rudi Williams to David Sloan…
"I didn't want to bring it up about both of them leading the nation in assists (laughter). I think, number one, Rudi's physical presence is much different. His energy and personality are just totally different. If you Face Timed him, his smile goes from one side of the screen to the next. And it doesn't matter if it's 9:30 (a.m) in the morning or when he sends me a video at 2:30 (a.m.) in the morning. He has a smile and energy on his face. They both led the nation in assists, so they both can distribute. I think Rudi with his body can be a more versatile scorer than David, but David still had some nice moments for us."
On the number of newcomers and how to adjust to that high number…
"I think it's probably the most we have had. I think the class with Dean (Wade), Barry (Brown) and Kam (Stokes), we had a lot of newcomers. Anytime you have this many new faces, there is a little bit of fear. But, I'm really excited about this group especially with the type of kids they are, their character as well as the type of player they are. I just feel good about them. We are very fortunate to have this group coming in."
On the addition of Shane Southwell to the staff and if he has arrived in town yet…
"He is not in town yet. We just told him to stay there (Pittsburgh) and not pay double rent. We are all just communicating by phone. They will allow us occasionally to go in the office, but we can't hold meetings or anything. His goal is to come in May and that might be pushed back.
"To me it was a no-brainer (to hire Southwell). You know about certain guys and if they are going to be good coaches. I called Shane when he was still playing overseas and I told him our GA position is going to be open. Just like guys like Chester (Frazier), Brad (Korn) had come through (the coaching ranks). I told him this might be your opportunity. It might be more fun to play basketball in Finland or Switzerland, but you need to think about your future and this might not come around again. He jumped on it. The one thing that I admire about him. One, he did a great job for us as a GA then the opportunity with USA Basketball (last summer). The film work, the scouting reports and the relationships he had with the players was terrific. I just talked to Sean Ford from USA Basketball and he was all fired up about Shane joining the staff. He talked about how special Shane's relationship was with all the players.
"The thing I give Shane a lot of credit for is that he said one of the best things that happened to him was going to Robert Morris (as an assistant coach). He said he had to grow up and learn so much. He said that I have been spoiled at this level (Power 5) then to go to the mid-major level it is so different. He said that it really helped him as a person and as a coach. When I heard that, it gave me more of an appreciate from him and that I was making the right decision for him to join the staff."
On Brad Korn leaving the staff to become the head coach at SE Missouri State and how he might have been overlooked because of his quiet nature…
"Yeah, Brad was the quiet one (on the staff). I think if you talk to the players, he was the one who had the quiet relationship with the players. He really grew as a communicator. I really challenged him to be a more outgoing person. I thought he had the basketball knowledge, the understanding of the game and the relationship with the players to be a head coach. He just needed to be a better communicator. I thought some of his pre- and postgame talks in the locker room were really, good. He is very, very organized and he was a good buffer. Coach (Chris) Lowery has his strong opinions and Coach (Jermaine) Henderson never stops talking (laughter). And Coach Korn was a good buffer in between them.
"I can't thank him enough for everything he did for us. I'm so happy that he got the opportunity. It has been a little crazy for him to take a new job and not be on your campus. He hasn't had the opportunity to hire a staff and be with them. But hey, you're a head coach so make the most of it. I know that he will do a great job."
On communicating with the team during this time and learning new technology…
"I had to have a lot of lessons (on some of the technology). I'm lucky I have two phones and iPad because I had to have different people on the phone helping me. I remember the first Zoom call I made I was sweating a little to make sure I didn't hit the wrong button, making sure they could hear me, etc. It has been an interesting transition. I basically get up every morning and my wife sends me to the basement and I start making calls from my office. I come up for lunch and we have recess (laughter) and I take a little walk with her, come back have a healthy snack, then I go back to the basement and get on the phone. It has been stressful. It hasn't been easy. But we have been fortunate to sign a couple of guys that we really like.
"You know they told us that recruiting was going to start back up April 15 then May 1 then maybe June. I think coaches and parents start to think we are going to have to make decisions now and not wait. We are fortunate that we have a great video staff. They put together some highlights and (virtual) tours together that have helped explain what we have to offer here at K-State. We have just done our best. You wouldn't wish this circumstance on anyone, so we have just tried to make the best of it.
"That has been one of the things that we have talked to our players and the recruits about in being at home, is that you have to do more with less. If we can do that, we will all be better for it when this is over."
On Kaosi Ezeagu and does he project to be a starter…
"Well, I hope he can be a starter. He has the physicality to be a very competitive player for us. We feel good about our big guys coming back. He definitely changed practice once he was able to play for us (at mid-year). Someone told me that they thought Mak (Mawien) played better once Kaosi started practicing with us and I certainly think that's true. He made practice tough for our bigs. And when you are on the scout squad, you can just go out and not worry about missing a shot.
"The one bad thing about him not being here was that we thought we were really making progress with him. Ben (O'Donnell) with him in the weight room, the coaches with his hands and his foot work. Now we have to depend on him to do it his own. But that's true of all of our guys. The self-discipline, doing more with less. Those things are so, so important. With Kaosi, those first couple of weeks back in Toronto, it's cold and snowing and he can't get in gyms. He was frustrated and wanted to know what to do. I remember when I visited him that he had a garage and I told him, it's not so cold in there. Ben has been sending him different ideas to work on his foot work. It's going back to old school. They going to have to have some imagination and some creativity to help themselves get better."
On Mike McGuirl stepping up as a leader...
"I think they can. Right now, Mike has really taken it upon himself to be a leader. As well as DaJuan (Gordon). I talked to you guys through the season about DaJuan. He said a lot as a freshman and cares so much. He is concerned about everybody. We have talked about as a group that even though we are far away that we have to be closer when we come back. These guys are playing video games (online) together. They have their group chats. Another chat with the coaches. As I said before we are trying to do individual calls, group calls every day. It's going to be challenge."
On the injuries to various players…
"Well, I feel bad for Selton (Miguel) because he couldn't even get into a doctor's office (with the pandemic) and get an X-Ray (for his hand). Luke (Sauber; athletic trainer) is trying to be cautious with him. We think (the hand) is healed. He spent the right amount of time (for it to heal). Luke and the doctors are trying to Face time with him to make sure he is making progress. Luke has suggested various exercises to help. His prep school coach has told me that he is already working out, we just don't want him to go too fast and make sure it's healed. I told him how important he is to us next year. I don't want that hand to have an issue. Just has to be a little more patient. I also suggested that he should use that left hand more anyway. My mom always told me that 'God put difficulties in your life to make you better', so hopefully, he can take advantage of this situation to make his left hand better.
"With Montavious (Murphy), he just got his brace off. He called me right before this (media availability) to tell me that he feels really, good and is doing some things. I told him that I just don't want him to go too fast. Luke and Ben have done a lot to help with his progression.
"I don't know if you guys know that DaJuan had a procedure the day after they canceled the Big 12 Championship. We got it done that afternoon because we knew everyone was going to have to go home. He was in a brace for four weeks and just got out of it. He is feeling better and making progress."
On the departures of Cartier Diarra and David Sloan…
"I think everyone knew Carti's situation. I don't want to say I was surprised by David's decision, but I still thought he would stay for his senior season. This is nation-wide. Kids are at home and people are talking to them that don't always know the reality (of the situation). If these guys were back here for workouts, we would be able to talk to them and give them love and you wouldn't quite have as many transfers as you have nation-wide. It is tough situation, lots of unknowns. We talk to our guys all the time, we don't know what is going to happen. We have lots of hopes and prayers that we will be able to be back on campus and have a season next year, but we don't know. So why add another unknown in your life?
"It is a tough thing (to lose David), but we really feel good about Nijel, we feel great about Rudi and even Selton. He played point guard for most of the season (at West Oaks Academy), so you have three guys who can handle the ball. I thought Mike (McGuirl) ended the year on a positive note. He had his best passing game against TCU (in Big 12 Championship) with 6 assists and 1 turnover. I know he has really taken over the leadership of our team as a senior. And DaJuan (Gordon) wants to really get better at handling the basketball. I hope we are going to be more versatile and have more guys who can score in different ways and more guys who can pass and dribble."
On the recruiting class and how many could be starters on next year's team…
"I'm not sure about that yet. I know that we have to have 2 or 3 of them become major factors for our team. Our older guys also have to help them. We just got off a Zoom call with our guys and several of them (older guys) spoke up, including all 3 of the freshmen from last year. Antonio (Gordon) and DaJuan told them (new guys), 'This is hard and you have to listen to these guys.' I was really, proud of Antonio talking about listening. He didn't realize it last year. The more you listen and get yourself ready, the more success you will have, both individually and as a team."
On comparing Rudi Williams to David Sloan…
"I didn't want to bring it up about both of them leading the nation in assists (laughter). I think, number one, Rudi's physical presence is much different. His energy and personality are just totally different. If you Face Timed him, his smile goes from one side of the screen to the next. And it doesn't matter if it's 9:30 (a.m) in the morning or when he sends me a video at 2:30 (a.m.) in the morning. He has a smile and energy on his face. They both led the nation in assists, so they both can distribute. I think Rudi with his body can be a more versatile scorer than David, but David still had some nice moments for us."
On the number of newcomers and how to adjust to that high number…
"I think it's probably the most we have had. I think the class with Dean (Wade), Barry (Brown) and Kam (Stokes), we had a lot of newcomers. Anytime you have this many new faces, there is a little bit of fear. But, I'm really excited about this group especially with the type of kids they are, their character as well as the type of player they are. I just feel good about them. We are very fortunate to have this group coming in."
On the addition of Shane Southwell to the staff and if he has arrived in town yet…
"He is not in town yet. We just told him to stay there (Pittsburgh) and not pay double rent. We are all just communicating by phone. They will allow us occasionally to go in the office, but we can't hold meetings or anything. His goal is to come in May and that might be pushed back.
"To me it was a no-brainer (to hire Southwell). You know about certain guys and if they are going to be good coaches. I called Shane when he was still playing overseas and I told him our GA position is going to be open. Just like guys like Chester (Frazier), Brad (Korn) had come through (the coaching ranks). I told him this might be your opportunity. It might be more fun to play basketball in Finland or Switzerland, but you need to think about your future and this might not come around again. He jumped on it. The one thing that I admire about him. One, he did a great job for us as a GA then the opportunity with USA Basketball (last summer). The film work, the scouting reports and the relationships he had with the players was terrific. I just talked to Sean Ford from USA Basketball and he was all fired up about Shane joining the staff. He talked about how special Shane's relationship was with all the players.
"The thing I give Shane a lot of credit for is that he said one of the best things that happened to him was going to Robert Morris (as an assistant coach). He said he had to grow up and learn so much. He said that I have been spoiled at this level (Power 5) then to go to the mid-major level it is so different. He said that it really helped him as a person and as a coach. When I heard that, it gave me more of an appreciate from him and that I was making the right decision for him to join the staff."
On Brad Korn leaving the staff to become the head coach at SE Missouri State and how he might have been overlooked because of his quiet nature…
"Yeah, Brad was the quiet one (on the staff). I think if you talk to the players, he was the one who had the quiet relationship with the players. He really grew as a communicator. I really challenged him to be a more outgoing person. I thought he had the basketball knowledge, the understanding of the game and the relationship with the players to be a head coach. He just needed to be a better communicator. I thought some of his pre- and postgame talks in the locker room were really, good. He is very, very organized and he was a good buffer. Coach (Chris) Lowery has his strong opinions and Coach (Jermaine) Henderson never stops talking (laughter). And Coach Korn was a good buffer in between them.
"I can't thank him enough for everything he did for us. I'm so happy that he got the opportunity. It has been a little crazy for him to take a new job and not be on your campus. He hasn't had the opportunity to hire a staff and be with them. But hey, you're a head coach so make the most of it. I know that he will do a great job."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's Basketball
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