I mention it a lot, how hard Rick coaches guys in practice on the details and just how relentless he is on the most minute things and constantly calls guys out and holds them accountable. (to the obvious betterment of his team)
This quote made me laugh because it captured that approach so well. Just classic Rick. This is after a 23 point win where James Daniel had a (Tennessee) career high of 17 points, made 5-of-7 from three with four assists in 23 minutes.
The question put to Rick was about James Daniel's play and Derrick Walker being a factor in the Vols putting LSU away after the lead was cut to 53-47.
He briefly acknowledges that James 'hit some shots,' but then everything else is about what they need to do better. To be clear, I'm not being remotely critical of CRB, but wanted to share this since as I said, really gives a glimpse into how he's never satisfied and pushes his guys.
“They were the reason we came back (Daniel and Walker), and I give them credit for that, but I think the start of the second half every other trip down the floor we were turning the ball over. We were turning it over. Shot a quick three, we think we can shoot the ball, but when we start settling for that early, it’s normally not good for us, but James did hit some shots there.
"Derrick Walker is getting better. I don’t think there is any question, and he, Kyle Alexander, and even John Fulkerson are three guys that gave us a hand inside. We need them all.
"I will tell you as a coach that tonight, my favorite part was the way we ended the game with Yves Pons and those guys in there still trying to play defense, not trying to shoot the ball as opposed to doing what we needed to do. That’s where we are fortunate with our team. We have guys that still value minutes.
"In some ways tonight, I thought we were a very immature team. We got up and certain guys weren’t executing. We need James Daniel. We need Derrick Walker. We need them all. February is the time where we have got to continue getting better.
"I’m disappointed in that last play by James. I think he should have really been trying to get one of those other guys a shot that hadn’t been playing. As a coach, we are never satisfied with any of them to be honest with you. You look at them, and this time of year you are really wanting to see maturity and consistency. At that point when they cut it down, those guys obviously made some good plays for us.”
This quote made me laugh because it captured that approach so well. Just classic Rick. This is after a 23 point win where James Daniel had a (Tennessee) career high of 17 points, made 5-of-7 from three with four assists in 23 minutes.
The question put to Rick was about James Daniel's play and Derrick Walker being a factor in the Vols putting LSU away after the lead was cut to 53-47.
He briefly acknowledges that James 'hit some shots,' but then everything else is about what they need to do better. To be clear, I'm not being remotely critical of CRB, but wanted to share this since as I said, really gives a glimpse into how he's never satisfied and pushes his guys.
“They were the reason we came back (Daniel and Walker), and I give them credit for that, but I think the start of the second half every other trip down the floor we were turning the ball over. We were turning it over. Shot a quick three, we think we can shoot the ball, but when we start settling for that early, it’s normally not good for us, but James did hit some shots there.
"Derrick Walker is getting better. I don’t think there is any question, and he, Kyle Alexander, and even John Fulkerson are three guys that gave us a hand inside. We need them all.
"I will tell you as a coach that tonight, my favorite part was the way we ended the game with Yves Pons and those guys in there still trying to play defense, not trying to shoot the ball as opposed to doing what we needed to do. That’s where we are fortunate with our team. We have guys that still value minutes.
"In some ways tonight, I thought we were a very immature team. We got up and certain guys weren’t executing. We need James Daniel. We need Derrick Walker. We need them all. February is the time where we have got to continue getting better.
"I’m disappointed in that last play by James. I think he should have really been trying to get one of those other guys a shot that hadn’t been playing. As a coach, we are never satisfied with any of them to be honest with you. You look at them, and this time of year you are really wanting to see maturity and consistency. At that point when they cut it down, those guys obviously made some good plays for us.”
