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Kevin Stallings Featured During SEC Teleconference
7/20/2005
Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings addressed several topics during his appearance on the Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Coaches teleconference call Monday. Following are some of the coach’s comments as he prepares for his seventh season with the Commodores.
Outlook for the coming season:
“We feel good about the returning group of guys that we have. We felt like our freshman class (last season) really impacted our team in a positive way. The thing we’re focused on right now is improving our post play. That was what really hurt us last year, a lack of consistent productivity in the post. Hopefully, with improvements from Julian Terrell and Ted Skuchas, we can take what was a deficiency and turn it into a strength. That’s our goal and that’s something we can accomplish.”
On what potential problems Kentucky could face without Randolph Morris:
“It’s hard to feel sorry for Kentucky as much as I like Tubby (Smith). It does look like the young man will be back. They have a lot of good players in their program. Kentucky is probably the one team in this league that can absorb a loss of personnel better than any other. They’ve got some other big guys that played awfully well for them last year. I’m pretty sure Tubby is going to have a real good team whether Randolph Morris plays or not.”
On the number of SEC players not chosen in the NBA Draft:
“I was very surprised that some of them didn’t get drafted. I thought there were some bad decisions to turn pro. But someone like Kennedy Winston, I was shocked that he didn’t get drafted. I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t end up on an NBA roster. He has what I consider an NBA game. “
On the new age limit for entering the NBA:
“I’m not a big fan of that. I wish it would have been more in line with what baseball or football has. Nonetheless, it’s probably better than it was, but I felt it could have been much better than just making it 19.”
On the talents of incoming transfer Ross Neltner:
“I thought Ross was an awfully effective player at LSU. He had the misfortune of playing behind two of the best big guys — probably the best front line — in our league. His skill set fits in very well with what we like to do. He’s a skilled big guy that shoots the ball well from the perimeter. He’s a very good rebounder which we can use. He’s been coached well the last two years, Hopefully we’ll help him be able to grow even more (this coming season in practice) and he’ll be ready to contribute when he is eligible.”
On his relationship with Bruce Pearl:
“I knew Bruce a little bit when we were assistants together back in the Big Ten. He was at Iowa and I was at Purdue. That’s when I first got to know him. We would run into each other from time to time, but not frequently. I’m sure he will do a great job for them. His team was very impressive at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, so I know Tennessee has a good coach.”
On who are the top teams in the SEC heading into the 2005-06 season:
“You’ve got to go with Kentucky. They return a great set of guards. They probably can absorb the hits better than anyone in the league. In the West, LSU, Alabama, Arkansas — talent-wise — are at the front. I would imagine that LSU will be real good again. Those are the teams to keep your eye on the most.”
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