1. What would it mean to you to have the NCAA record for most wins after four seasons of coaching? I think any individual achievements are always a reflection of the team, the staff, everybody who plays a part in the success of an individual. It would be a great feeling, just like it was to become the winningest third-year coach in NCAA history. But I know it's not directly because of me but because I have surrounded myself with outstanding players and excellent coaches.
2. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 100TH WIN ! I WAS THERE AND IT WAS ZAGnificent !!! So glad rebounds pulled us through once again. For the next game, could you ask Ronny to stir up the crowd a little earlier? The kennel is at it's best when the fans are the loudest.
Ronny is definitely an emotional player. His emotions feed his game, but he knows there are times he must keep those emotions somewhat in check. Ronny gives us high energy. In terms of stirring up the crowd, I think our players feed off the crowd. While we try to give the crowd a lift with our play, there are times when we need the crowd to jumpstart us a little.
3. What do you see for next years team? Do you think that Blake Stepp and Cory Violette will get some attention their senior year?
It's too early to start thinking about next year. I definitely think Blake and Cory will have a lot to say about how good we'll be next year. But we have a lot of young, talented players who will play big roles for us.
4. Congratulations on your remarkable success. I have noticed that most of the players on your team have fairly non-traditional shooting forms. In particular, most players start with the ball rather far back at the beginning of their shots; this results in shooting motions that are more forward than upward. My experience suggests that this can make it significantly more difficult to have a proper release at the end of the shot, but also makes it more difficult to block. My question is whether this shooting form is a conscious choice on the part of you and your assistants, and if so, why. Thanks!
Shooting a basketball is a little bit like swinging a golf club or a baseball bat - everybody has their own form. While we constantly work with players on shooting, we don't address their form unless we see something that will make them a better shooter. Some of what you are seeing may be a result of the individual work we've done with players, but we don't tell every player he needs to shoot a particular way. Some of our shooting philosophy obviously centers somewhat on form, so what you are seeing may be a result of our philosophy.
5. What are your thoughts on the new WCC Tournament format?
I think it's a good step. The new format protects the top two teams. We are now giving the better teams more of a reward for an outstanding season. I think the rotation and bid process for the tournament will also be a positive for the tournament. Now, every team will have a chance to host the tournament if they get the bid and we won't be locked into always playing the tournament at one or two places like we have been recently.
6. Hey coach, what have been your impressions or Erroll Knight and how has he looked in practice. Is the hype surrounding him real and what things can we expect next season? Thanks and good luck with the rest of the season.
We think Erroll is going to be a very big part of this team. He has outstanding abilities, although he's constantly working hard to improve his game. It's very difficult for a player to sit and watch, but Erroll is making the most of his time on the sidelines. Erroll has a big up side and will be a great addition to this team next season.
7. Coach Few, is Blake Stepp, as a junior, as good as Dickau was when he was a junior? How are they similar and how are they different? GO ZAGS!!!
I think they are two different players. Blake is bigger and can see the court better. Both players had great court awareness. Dan was probably a more vocal leader than Blake, but when we need a big shot or a big play it's Blake we look to. Dan was also our first option offensively a lot of the time, but with the frontcourt we have Blake doesn't have the pressure every time down the court of having to be the first option in our offense.
8. Do you think that this year's team is more balanced than last year's team? It seems that on any given night a player can go off. Good luck in the WCC Tournament!
This team is the most balanced we've had when we're hitting on all cylinders. We have good perimeter weapons, and down low this team is as good as any since I've been at Gonzaga. The thing that also gives us balance is depth. WE have a lot of options. If one guy isn't clicking, we can bring another guy off the bench who might be.
9. You guys have played a great schedule and have suffered some tough losses. Do you think that the tough games in the beginning has prepared the team for the post season?
Anytime you play a tough opponent it prepares you for the post season. We play a tough schedule to prepare us for a tough WCC race every year, and then hopefully that will carry over into in the WCC Tournament and beyond. We've lost to some quality teams, and hopefully we've learned from those setbacks.
10. With a growing fan base in the Puget Sound area is there any word on more TV. coverage for Zags in western Washington?
We're always looking for expanded television coverage, but we also know it's an expensive proposition. We're fortunate that KHQ and PAX do so many home games, and it's unfortunate those games aren't available on the satellite. If we had a way to expand our television coverage into the Seattle market we would do it.
11. What player have you been surprised by this season?
I think Tony Skinner has been a pleasant surprise this season. It's always tough for a junior college transfer to step in and contribute right away. Tony struggled early in the season, but his game was just starting to come around when he suffered an untimely ankle injury, then re-injured it again after coming back. Tony is getting healthy again and we look for big things from him the rest of the season.