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Xavier’s Mack discusses Dayton
Xavier coach Chris Mack had his press conference for the Cincinnati media this afternoon. Here are a few excerpts:
Has the atmosphere at Dayton changed at all since you were a player?
CM: It’s always been a great atmosphere. Certainly the things that they bring into the college game now with the Red Outs, the White Outs, towels. I don’t think they knew about that stuff in 1989. But the fans were always really into game and it’s always been a great atmosphere for college basketball.
How do you prepare guys like freshman Dez Wells, who’s never been there before, for that kind of atmosphere?
CM: You don’t worry about preparing about the atmosphere. You worry about preparing for the game. If you do what you do every day in practice between the lines tomorrow that’s the only thing that will matter. We’ve lost games there, we’ve won games there and it’ll have nothing to do with the atmosphere. It’ll have everything to do with our execution on the floor.
After what Chris Johnson did against you last year, what do you show the guys in the film? What makes him tough?
CM: I think the two things that really stand out are, No. 1, his ability to shoot the ball. He’s a phenomenal 3-pointer shooter. And then he’s a great offensive rebounder from his position. We learned the hard way in the game here and hopefully Dez doesn’t have to learn the hard way tomorrow. But he’s going to be the guy that goes after an offensive rebound every time the shot goes up. He’s not going to take a couple possessions off. He’s very disciplined in his approach. He’s tenacious. He’s determined to get there, and whoever’s checking him when the shot goes up better get him off.
Have you noticed a more concerted effort on Dez’s part when it comes to rebounding? Seems like he’s been really good the last couple games.
CM: He’s been great defensive rebounding. He still has to make sure he gets his man off the glass. That’s something that all freshmen have to go through, and all players. It’s a fine line - not a fine line - but when summer basketball ends and structured basketball begins, now you’re accountable when a shot goes up to block your man off. Dez is no different from anybody else.
Do see shades of (former Xavier coach) Sean (Miller) in what (brother) Archie does on the court?
CM: If you mean how his team plays, yes. He’s taken a lot of what probably each of the three coaches or four coaches that he’s been under at some point in his career and put that out in his system of play. I can definitely see how they defend, the things that they do offensively, are eerily similar to things that Sean instilled in this program and me and obviously Arch.
You’ve obviously played in a lot of rivalry games. Where does this rivalry stack up?
CM: I don’t know where I’d peg it when it comes to where it would stack up with the other ones, but it’s a great game. It’s a great rivalry. Both fan bases are really into the game. It’s got a history. We’ve played Dayton for so long, for so many years. I’ve got a lot of great memories, I’ve got a lot of bitter memories. It’s just what college basketball is about. I don’t think the rest of the country truly appreciates the rivalry that it is.
Archie Miller has said that Kevin Dillard means more to Dayton than any player means to another A-10 team. From watching him on film, what does he bring to their team and how important is limiting him?
CM: I think Archie’s right. When they beat Saint Louis, he single-handedly did whatever he wanted. He got in the lane, he scored, he found guys, he’s a phenomenal passer. And I think Archie’s right. I think how Dillard goes is how Dayton goes. That’s not to say that their other players aren’t really, really talented. But they put the ball in his hands a lot. They ask him to do a whole lot. It’s really important that you contain him as best you can and keep him out of the lane.
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By FaithfulFlyer65
January 20, 2012 7:11 PM | Link to this
Of course I’m rooting for the Flyers, but Chris Mack shows deserved respect for an opponent based on the exerts above. However,I think he’s a much classier person than some of his players. Go Flyers!
By Biggest Fan
January 20, 2012 9:27 PM | Link to this
You are right on FF65.
By is it me
January 20, 2012 9:35 PM | Link to this
Is it me or are the Dayton writers kissing a*s! First I read an article from Arch earlier about he likes Xavier and now a full blown interview from Harris with their coach!! We can only hope they get job offers elsewhere in the near future! They Suck!!
By Swampy's Smegma
January 20, 2012 10:15 PM | Link to this
Dayton doesnt have one player that could play at X — Blowout
By Bobby G
January 20, 2012 10:44 PM | Link to this
The Mousekateers reign over the A-10 is over. They are a program in a little bit of a decline, while 3 or 4 other programs are on the rise. A UD win on Saturday will officially spell the end of the X era, but it will come to an end sooner than later anyway. Tu will get his, but the Flyer big men will show up for this one, along with CJ and KD. Flyers by 5.
By Smegma Smegma
January 20, 2012 10:46 PM | Link to this
Dayton doesn’t have one player that would want to play at X. They have too much class. Should be a classic, its why the play the game. Can Archie do what BG couldn’t?
By roni611
January 21, 2012 7:24 AM | Link to this
two great programs, ask chris mack if there is one player that could play for x cmon get real
By Bubba
January 21, 2012 8:30 AM | Link to this
The only time I don’t pull for X is when they play the flyers. Other than that, I always root for all the A-10 teams when they play out of conference opponents. When conference teams do well it benefits all the teams in the conference. It would be nice if X players and fans showed the same respect for opponents as their coach. Go flyers!
By Sticky Fallopian
January 21, 2012 9:39 AM | Link to this
Xavier loves Nickleback.
By ESPN sucks
January 21, 2012 10:34 AM | Link to this
ESPN talks about Syracuse, Duke, etc etc… But no talk about UD vs X. I hate ESPN. It is like we are not even playing today. Don’t they know that our game is on THEIR station???