John Calipari, Aaron and Andrew Harrison Press Conference Transcripts before Mississippi State Bulldogs
By Paul Jordan
Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
#5, Andrew Harrison, G, Fr.
On Coach Calipari telling them to think pass when you have the ball and think to score when you don’t …
“It’s weird, but we definitely understand where he’s coming from and what he means by it, just being ready and try to move to the open spot when you don’t have the ball.”
On what the team got out of the last 10 days of just practice …
“I think we became better as a team. More togetherness, just getting better defensively, talking more and all that stuff.”
On how eager he is to get back on the court and play a game …
“I’m very excited to play a game tomorrow. I’m just ready to see some new faces on the court.”
On being sick of practicing against each other …
“We’re not sick of it. It’s not over. But it’s definitely going to be fun to get out there against some new competition.”
On being tired of seeing Calipari in practice …
“Nah. It’s fun. You learn something new every day, so it’s fun.”
On the evolution of his game …
“I feel like I’ve done better, but I still have a long way to go. Really just being a leader, that’s what I’m really working on.”
On how important the time was they spent off the court the last two weeks …
“We all liked each other before, but now I think we’re all closer. We all talk and laugh like we didn’t do before. I think that’s very helpful.”
On why they’re talking more …
“I don’t know. We just started to talk more. We really had no choice. We really had no one to talk to besides each other.”
On where they’ve benefited the most on the court …
“I think we’re playing a lot harder, practicing a lot harder. The beginning of the season was pretty much a humbling experience and now we see how hard we have to work. At the same time, we still have a lot of talent on our team and I think the sky is the limit for us.”
On whether or not this is the first day he’s started thinking about Mississippi State …
“No, yesterday we watched some film and stuff like that. They’re a great team and we have to be ready for them.”
On the worst habit he’s had to break …
“Standing straight up, just looking at the ball, not moving without the ball and not being ready to shoot when I don’t have the ball.”
On what he’s learned about some of his teammates over the break that he didn’t know before …
“All of us are super talented. I knew that about everybody. Just seeing how willing we are to work hard and get better.”
On growing a beard …
“Oh no, I’m going to shave it. When my mom sees it she’s going to kill me.”
On whether or not he feels more in control of this team …
“Definitely, I think so. I think I’m starting to try to become a leader. Just being able to call my own plays and stuff like that without having to look at Coach every play, it’s just really knowing what I’m doing.”
On feeling like he could take charge at the end of the Louisville game …
“In those types of games, I always feel like we’re going to win even though we lost a few of those close games in the past. We have so much confidence that we know that no matter what, if we play hard it’s going to be a good game.”
On how the point guard position has been different in college than what he expected …
“It’s different. I’m not going to say it’s easier because you don’t have to do as much scoring-wise, but calling plays and stuff like that, not holding the ball as much, it’s tough sometimes.”