Oct. 28, 2008

Coach Darrin Horn

COLUMBIA, S.C. First-year head men’s basketball coach Darrin Horn met with members of the media this afternoon at Colonial Life Arena to discuss the start of the upcoming 2008-09 campaign which kicks off with an exhibition against Kentucky Wesleyan on Nov. 7. Click the link above to hear coach Horn’s comments from the media gathering.

Below are a few excerpts from coach Horn.

On if he anticipated the squad will have to play more zone than in years past due to the amount of players on the roster…
“I think that we’re going to be open to whatever options we need based on how things are going with our team and what presents itself during the season. We’re not opposed to doing anything that will help us win, but that’s a little down the road for us.”

On if any of the players have been a surprise to him during official practice…”
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised with all of them. I think to say someone has been better than not would say that we had low expectations for them and we didn’t. We came in with an attitude and mindset that we’re going to work really hard and try to make these guys better and I think they’re doing that.”

On the ball skill work that Brandis Raley-Ross has been working on…
“I don’t think it was so much position specific motivated as it was (us telling Brandis) ‘You can be a better player than you are, more than a standstill shooter.’ Part of that is going to be handling the basketball. Not necessarily bringing it up against pressure, though he might do that, as much as just being able to make some plays. There is a misconception with shooters that they can’t make plays, but in some ways it makes them easier for them because there is the threat of being able to shoot that can get the defense out of position and what can you do when that happens. He’s responding really well with that and we’ve seen him make some strides.”