| Rob Mathews:
Does it feel different to be a senior? |
| Matt
McCollom: Yeah, it actually does. I think the biggest thing is
that you start to realize, it's kind of weird, that this is your last
chance. I didn't think it would be like this, but it's kind of like
everyday, "well, that was my last red and white scrimmage." We got to
scrimmage Illinois State, and that was pretty interesting because that might
be the last time I ever get to play against them. One of my buddies
from high school is on the team, so it might be the last time I ever get to
play against him. It kind of hits you a lot, but it's fun too. This is your last go around, so you've got to give it everything you've got. You want to make this the most special year that you've had yet. In a
way it's pretty special. |
|
| Rob Mathews:
Do you feel like it's a lot easier and more natural to lead now? |
| Matt
McCollom: In a way, yeah, because like I said, this is all you have
left. If you don't have a great year there is no opportunity beyond
this. You have to give it everything you have. You have to talk
to the guys more than you usually do, because this is it. I wish
everybody could come out everyday and be like, "this may be the last day I
play."
|
|
| Rob Mathews:
In your four years here, do you feel like this year you have the best
nucleus of senior leaders with four of you who are time as well as court
tested? |
| Matt
McCollom: I'd have to say we're a lot closer than any other senior group
I've been around since I've been here. I don't know exactly why it
is, but we seem to get along a lot better and we seem to have kind of the
same goals instead of maybe individual goals. None of us have made it
to the NCAA tournament. I think that is a big difference from the
past. Some of those guys had made it to the NCAA tournament, so maybe
they were wanting something different. That's all we want - to make it
to that NCAA tournament and go deep into it. With that comes winning
the conference. We have to win the conference and have a 20-win season.
We have
to be unbelievable on defense, because we don't have that one guy that's
unbelievable this year. In the past we had T Smith and those
other great guys who could score anytime they wanted, but now we just have a
bunch of good players that are going to have to play together to be great. |
|
| Rob Mathews:
Coach Buckley said that so far this year he hasn't really had to coach
effort like he has in past years. Have you noticed that? |
| Matt
McCollom: Oh yeah. Everyday at practice it's a battle. Everybody is going against each other so hard. It's so competitive. Everybody is so prideful of what they do. Everybody is so prideful.
They don't want anybody to score against them. It's like that everyday.
It's never been like this in my four years - not even close. You can
tell every year has been a little stepping stone. We've become a
little bit stronger each year as far as the defensive aspect and just how hard everybody
goes. This year it is really starting to come together. |
|
| Rob Mathews:
Would it surprise you to see something like four guys averaging double
figures in scoring this year? |
| Matt
McCollom: No, not at all. I think you may even see more than that.
You may see six or
seven guys averaging seven, eight, nine - we're too deep at every position
right now. I don't think we'll ever miss a beat when somebody comes
in. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
Alright Matt, thanks and good luck this season. |
| Matt
McCollom: Thank you. |
