| Rob Mathews:
Coach,
thank you for taking the time to answer some questions.
Congratulations on your contract extension and recent signees. |
| Tim
Buckley: Thank
you, Rob.
Our administration, staff, and players deserve the credit for the
extension and our staff and players did a great job with our recruiting. |
|
| Rob Mathews:
Now
that you are going into your fifth season and have all of your own
recruits, how do you feel like the program is doing compared to your
original “game plan?” |
| Tim
Buckley: The
“game plan” changed when Theron (Smith) was injured and left early.
You don’t just replace a player like that.
We have fared better than some other schools that have lost players
early or even seniors to the NBA. Also,
our non-league schedule the past two years was set up with Theron in mind.
We are very excited about our program. We
are getting better, we are graduating, and our guys have been great in the
community.
|
|
| Rob Mathews:
Speaking
of recruiting, how were you able to sign two such high quality high school
seniors during the late recruiting period? |
| Tim
Buckley: We feel that we did a good job of evaluating, assessed our
needs, and remained persistent. Our
players are the best salesmen that we have and they were very
instrumental. |
|
| Rob Mathews:
Talk
about Anthony Newell. Many
recruiting analysts are suggesting that he might be a better player than
his other DI teammates at Simeon. They
are even suggesting that he is one of the top few players in the
Chicago
area. |
| Tim Buckley:
Anthony
is a very good player who really loves the game and studies it.
We feel that he can contribute and be a very good player.
We are confident that we can help him get better and he will
continue to improve. |
|
| Rob Mathews:
Likewise,
talk about Landon Adler. What are
his strengths? What does he need to
work on? Was he as heavily recruited
as anyone you’ve gone after the last few years? |
| Tim Buckley:
Landon
led the state in rebounding. Rebounding
is an effort stat. He is also
athletic and can shoot the ball. He
averaged 23 points per game and shot 40% from three.
We feel that he has just scratched the surface.
He was heavily recruited and we feel great about him coming here.
However,
the amount of schools recruiting you does not determine your success.
How hard you work and how much you improve do.
Theron Smith probably would have gone Division II if he didn’t
come to
Ball
State
,
and when we recruited Dwayne Wade when I was at
Marquette
he was lightly recruited.
|
| |
| Rob Mathews:
Do
you feel like taking 5 high school players the last two years has really
helped you to balance out your classes? How
important is class balancing? Are
you satisfied with where you’re at in that area? |
| Tim Buckley:
We
feel very good about the last 5 high schools players that we have signed.
I believe it is important to have balance in your classes and to
have 4 and 5 year players to add experience and continuity. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
Do
you have some time off now that this year’s class is filled, or will you
be busy all summer working on future classes? |
| Tim Buckley:
There
is really no time off – not if you want to be good.
Once you fill one class you get to the next one.
This is also the time to improve as a coach, teacher, and leader.
We are always looking for constant improvement. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
Will
Lonnie Fulse be back as a walk-on next year? |
| Tim Buckley:
Lonnie
was a great walk-on for us. However,
he had some junior college or small school opportunities.
We will miss him. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
Can
you briefly talk about
Anthony
Kent
and Charles Bass and what they bring to the team as well as what they
still need to work on? |
| Tim Buckley:
Bass
and Kent bring size and athleticism. They
will be a shot blocking presence on the defensive end.
Offensively they are still evolving.
We want them to become a difficult match-up one on one in the post
so that we can draw a double team, because both are good passers out of
the post. Both are continuing to
improve their shooting range. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
How
well do Kent and Bass shoot free throws? |
| Tim Buckley:
They
are improving in that area. This
summer will answer that question. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
Do
you ever see a scenario where you might play Bass, Howland, and Kent at
the same time? |
| Tim Buckley:
I
do not see that scenario, but never say never.
It is possible, however, because
Kent
can defend the perimeter. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
On paper
next year’s team looks to be very versatile.
Would you agree? |
| Tim Buckley:
Versatile,
athletic, hungry. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
Can
you give the fans an update on all of the injuries? |
| Tim Buckley:
Tony
Cox is doing a great job with them and everyone is making exceptional
progress. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
What
does the typical
Ball
State
basketball player do over the summer? |
| Tim Buckley:
Go
to class, lift, workout, play. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
Are
REO and
Cam
getting attention from any of the pro leagues? |
| Tim Buckley:
REO
and
Cam
are exploring all possibilities. Our
staff continues to help them with workouts and opportunities.
They will both graduate this summer. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
The
one thing that stood out about NCAA tourney teams like
Nevada
,
UAB, St. Joe’s, Xavier, and
Manhattan
was that they seemed unphased when things weren’t going their way.
Is that the type of team you are building? |
| Tim Buckley:
I
would say so and our players have proven that as well.
In our five road losses in conference this year we were in position
win every one of them. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
What
is your favorite
Ball
State
sport to watch when you’re not coaching, scouting, or on the recruiting
trail? Why? |
| Tim Buckley:
:
I
like to watch all of the other sports here at BSU.
If I were drawn to any sports they would be football and baseball
because those are the other two sports that I played.
I understand those two better than the others. |
| |
| Rob Mathews:
Coach,
thank you for your time. |
| Tim Buckley:
Thank
you. We appreciate all of your
efforts and support! |
