Bruce Pearl is speaking to the media Friday afternoon to preview Sunday's game at Appalachian State. Here's a summary...
** App St is picked 2nd in Sun Belt behind No. 23 James Madison. They're a good team. Have high-major size and athletes, really well coached. It's a game we scheduled during the COVID year.
** Pearl has a history of playing in these games. Probably picked up playing these types of games when Iowa's Tom Davis played at Northern Iowa and then trying to get games as the HC at South Indiana and Milwaukee. Got to play Ja Morant twice. First league road game will be at Arkansas so this game will help us prepare for that.
** Expecting this game to elevate the level of App State's play. We've got to be able to handle that and not let a tough environment affect our play.
** Aden Holloway cares about winning first and foremost. His own development is important but winning comes first to him. He's growing in his ability to read defenses and what other teams do to defend him.
** Team took day off Thursday and started working on App State today. Will have a morning practice Saturday before they head to Boone.
** App St plays man and zone and will press a little bit. Have to prepare for all three. They do a lot on offense too. Won't be an easy preparation.
** So much of the fouls is how the game is called. I thought we were playing really well early against Virginia Tech but we had to adjust to how the officials were calling the game. Defending without fouling is something we're working o and I feel we've made some progress.
** App St is picked 2nd in Sun Belt behind No. 23 James Madison. They're a good team. Have high-major size and athletes, really well coached. It's a game we scheduled during the COVID year.
** Pearl has a history of playing in these games. Probably picked up playing these types of games when Iowa's Tom Davis played at Northern Iowa and then trying to get games as the HC at South Indiana and Milwaukee. Got to play Ja Morant twice. First league road game will be at Arkansas so this game will help us prepare for that.
** Expecting this game to elevate the level of App State's play. We've got to be able to handle that and not let a tough environment affect our play.
** Aden Holloway cares about winning first and foremost. His own development is important but winning comes first to him. He's growing in his ability to read defenses and what other teams do to defend him.
** Team took day off Thursday and started working on App State today. Will have a morning practice Saturday before they head to Boone.
** App St plays man and zone and will press a little bit. Have to prepare for all three. They do a lot on offense too. Won't be an easy preparation.
** So much of the fouls is how the game is called. I thought we were playing really well early against Virginia Tech but we had to adjust to how the officials were calling the game. Defending without fouling is something we're working o and I feel we've made some progress.
