-Gates said he knows this game for Texas A&M is going to be pretty important with them trying to go above .500 in conference play. Said his team's going to go out and give their best. Said they have to play through mistakes and stay with their game plan to give themselves a chance to win the game.
-Gates said he spoke with the team today about going 9-9. They can't control things that have already happened but they're in control of what comes next. But they can't win nine games all at once. They have to start out 1-0.
-I asked Gates for his reaction to the news about Dickey Nutt and how they've handled the toll that something like that can take on everyone's mental health. Gates said they were very transparent with everyone on the team while Dickey Nutt went through his medical evaluation, so no one was caught off guard. Said they wanted to be upfront and honest with their players and spoke to them about the subject while preparing for the Coaches vs. Cancer. Gates said he texted with Coach Nutt earlier today and that he's in good spirits. He said Coach Nutt knows that they love him and that he's not alone.
-Gates said he liked what he saw from Noah Carter in the Vanderbilt game. Said Noah expects more consistency out of himself. He also thinks that Noah's missed some easy baskets around the rim that could've given him some confidence. They're expecting more from him in the second half of SEC play.
-Gates said the main things they want to focus on moving forward are assist-to-turnover ratio, getting to the free throw line and defensive rebounding. The team had plenty of assist attempts last game against Vandy but just couldn't capitalize, which hurt the assist-to-turnover ratio. He said their goals are to get to 20 assists and under 7 turnovers. He also said they're shooting well at the free throw line, just not getting there enough. And he also thinks they have to do a better job of holding their opponents to one field goal attempt per possession, especially during runs when Mizzou might be going through a cold spell on offense.
-Gates said as of now, the expectation is for Caleb Grill to still return this season. He said he's been working through conditioning, still brings his basketball IQ to practice and has been doing some modified weight training but there's too high a chance for re-injuring the wrist. He could play if they could they could put his wrist in a cast like in football, or if he could play one-handed, but that's not realistic. If he's unable to play for the rest of the year, Gates confirmed he's eligible for the medical hardship waiver. But that's not something they've put on the table yet. If the door is open for Grill to play this year, they don't want to shut it prematurely.
-Trent Pierce is conditioning now and they are playing it by ear getting him back in shape.
-Anthony Robinson said he's learned there's a lot of pains and process in college basketball. He's realized he's not going to get everything correct on his first try. He said the biggest adjustment for him has been learning the point guard position because, in high school, he could get away with a lot more. Said a big emphasis for himself is to get stronger.
-Ant said they're coming in with a new mindset in the second half of SEC play. He said they have to come into every game believing they can win.
-Ant thinks the freshmen are developing and getting pushed by the older guys. He said long-term, he's really excited about the future of the program. Said he thinks they can be dangerous.
-The focus for Wednesday's game is staying attached to A&M's guards on defense. Ant said they're quick and physical, so they've got to force them into taking tough shots.
-Gates said he spoke with the team today about going 9-9. They can't control things that have already happened but they're in control of what comes next. But they can't win nine games all at once. They have to start out 1-0.
-I asked Gates for his reaction to the news about Dickey Nutt and how they've handled the toll that something like that can take on everyone's mental health. Gates said they were very transparent with everyone on the team while Dickey Nutt went through his medical evaluation, so no one was caught off guard. Said they wanted to be upfront and honest with their players and spoke to them about the subject while preparing for the Coaches vs. Cancer. Gates said he texted with Coach Nutt earlier today and that he's in good spirits. He said Coach Nutt knows that they love him and that he's not alone.
-Gates said he liked what he saw from Noah Carter in the Vanderbilt game. Said Noah expects more consistency out of himself. He also thinks that Noah's missed some easy baskets around the rim that could've given him some confidence. They're expecting more from him in the second half of SEC play.
-Gates said the main things they want to focus on moving forward are assist-to-turnover ratio, getting to the free throw line and defensive rebounding. The team had plenty of assist attempts last game against Vandy but just couldn't capitalize, which hurt the assist-to-turnover ratio. He said their goals are to get to 20 assists and under 7 turnovers. He also said they're shooting well at the free throw line, just not getting there enough. And he also thinks they have to do a better job of holding their opponents to one field goal attempt per possession, especially during runs when Mizzou might be going through a cold spell on offense.
-Gates said as of now, the expectation is for Caleb Grill to still return this season. He said he's been working through conditioning, still brings his basketball IQ to practice and has been doing some modified weight training but there's too high a chance for re-injuring the wrist. He could play if they could they could put his wrist in a cast like in football, or if he could play one-handed, but that's not realistic. If he's unable to play for the rest of the year, Gates confirmed he's eligible for the medical hardship waiver. But that's not something they've put on the table yet. If the door is open for Grill to play this year, they don't want to shut it prematurely.
-Trent Pierce is conditioning now and they are playing it by ear getting him back in shape.
-Anthony Robinson said he's learned there's a lot of pains and process in college basketball. He's realized he's not going to get everything correct on his first try. He said the biggest adjustment for him has been learning the point guard position because, in high school, he could get away with a lot more. Said a big emphasis for himself is to get stronger.
-Ant said they're coming in with a new mindset in the second half of SEC play. He said they have to come into every game believing they can win.
-Ant thinks the freshmen are developing and getting pushed by the older guys. He said long-term, he's really excited about the future of the program. Said he thinks they can be dangerous.
-The focus for Wednesday's game is staying attached to A&M's guards on defense. Ant said they're quick and physical, so they've got to force them into taking tough shots.
