Nasty Nati's Jacob Evans Post-Practice
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00:00 >> Yeah, so it's been super important, especially because we've had eight
00:04 players so far, and some guys are playing high number of minutes.
00:08 But I think these last few days have been really,
00:11 mentally, just cleaning up things that some of the states we had in our first
00:15 two games, just trying to keep getting better each game.
00:18 >> You're two new guys, it's a reunion of an AAC championship team,
00:21 as I can tell.
00:22 >> Yeah. >> Get those guys.
00:23 >> For sure, for sure, trying to keep them at a greater distance.
00:26 I'm looking forward to it, I'm sure the rest of the team is looking forward to it.
00:30 So we're ready to get on the court.
00:31 >> Are they coming today or not?
00:33 >> I think Trey will be here today for sure.
00:35 I know Keith is coming a little bit later, but I'm not sure.
00:37 >> What changed Trey's mind?
00:39 Because he initially didn't play.
00:40 >> I don't know, that's something I gotta ask him.
00:42 >> I didn't know if he told you.
00:43 >> I don't know.
00:44 >> How excited are you to play with a guy like Trey and Keith again?
00:47 Obviously, you got to play with him a little bit in college,
00:49 talk about the excitement to get back in the tournament.
00:51 >> I'm really excited, especially since I only have one year with Keith.
00:54 So I'm excited to see the improvements he's made on his game, just his IQ again.
01:00 And Trey's my roommate throughout college, so me and him, we've been blocking for life.
01:03 >> You and Jaren are the only two teammates in the top ten scoring average in
01:08 the TBT so far, last time I checked.
01:11 What's causing that?
01:12 What's making that connection just roll and flow so well during the two games so
01:16 far? >> Honestly, just being aggressive and
01:18 just trying to get out and play to our strengths.
01:20 So trying to get on transition, the opening half,
01:24 putting on take three, keep the defense on.
01:26 So I think that helps open up the other lanes for us as well,
01:29 just because we're not the Mountain Dews.
01:31 We're not just trying to get to the basket.
01:34 So I think it's a lot of different things that's been happening.
01:37 Also, our teammates, you got Troy as point guard, he's finding us,
01:40 he's putting us in the right positions to get things going.
01:43 Our bigs are setting solid screens.
01:45 Mom and dude is a phenomenal lob there, roller.
01:47 So it's a lot of things that goes into that.
01:50 But we're definitely gonna still be aggressive, still being sharp in that game
01:53 and trying to keep getting us the win, definitely keep going forward.
01:57 >> Is there any acclimation period that's gonna come with Keith and
01:59 Trey coming in?
02:00 Do you guys feel like expanding from an eight to a ten man kind of rotation
02:04 roster is pretty seamless?
02:06 >> I mean, I'm pretty sure they would be coming if we weren't gonna play,
02:08 if they weren't gonna play.
02:10 Especially those two guys are very high level talent, high level athletes.
02:13 So I think they can help us a lot.
02:15 And the chemistry with them is not just attitude with the guys,
02:19 it's not attitude with the guys, cuz everyone's not in the same roster.
02:21 But it's not like we're getting two,
02:23 two guys that we never played with or never seen before.
02:25 We've played with these guys, practiced with these guys,
02:26 spent numerous hours, personalities, clicks.
02:29 I think it's a lot of different things that help that also.
02:31 >> It's two more above the rim guys.
02:33 >> Exactly.
02:34 >> Who's getting all the lobs?
02:36 >> I don't know, it's gonna be a battle for sure.
02:38 Even Corey's talking about, he wants the lobs now.
02:41 I'm like, Corey, big fella.
02:42 Can't throw it at everybody.
02:43 So it's like, I think it's gonna be a battle.
02:46 You just throw it at them, you don't see it in the country.
02:48 >> I talked to Coach Johnson before the tournament, and
02:49 he kinda drove home that this year the biggest change you guys made was
02:54 actually setting and talking about a defensive game plan.
02:56 >> Yeah. >> And
02:57 then letting the offense kinda come to itself.
02:59 Has that kinda felt like the biggest catalyst for this three game run so
03:03 far and continuing that you guys have a set plan defensively?
03:06 >> Yeah, cuz honestly, it's a lot easier to play transition than it is to play
03:12 in the half court, you gotta walk the ball up after a made shot.
03:15 So we just take defense stops, or turnovers, block shots,
03:18 play blocking out a shot as Mama did.
03:21 Trey's gonna add to that, Steve's gonna add to steals and blocks.
03:23 So you see those kind of things that allows the offense just to get going and
03:27 then we're playing off of just natural reaction.
03:30 I drive, somebody else I kick, he shoots it, he's not opening passes.
03:34 So I think our defense is actually powering the offense.
03:37 >> Now we've heard Kevin talk a lot about this TBT run compared to last year.
03:41 He's really emphasized on the structure you guys have.
03:44 >> Yeah. >> Heading into this year.
03:45 Talk about what a guy like Kevin Angenberger brings to the table there
03:48 within the structure, how he's been able to help you guys.
03:50 >> Man, to see this type of stuff over and over again,
03:54 getting quality break while we're out here getting ready for this.
03:58 That's something that we lacked last year, but
04:01 I'm not gonna just put it on one of the coaches.
04:05 It's also the players too.
04:06 We experienced that last year, we embarrassed.
04:09 So we had a different level of focus coming into this year.
04:13 We figured we had too much time to not go far and win this whole tournament.
04:18 So I think you see that level of focus just turned up and not so much.
04:22 >> How much does this experience target your career goals and
04:25 plans moving forward?
04:26 >> I think it's another opportunity to show my talent, what I can do.
04:33 Also, it's just something I get to win with some guys that I went through the thick
04:37 and thin with in college, people you meet in college, your teammates in college.
04:42 They probably most likely your brothers for life.
04:44 So being able to accomplish another goal with them in basketball is great.
04:50 >> Seeing how well you guys have played, what does it say about the Cincinnati
04:53 Corgi in the beginning with this,
04:55 you know, going into the future, you've got a somewhat true along with you.
04:58 >> Well, I feel like you said a lot.
05:01 Just go back to all the way to the March on Sunday,
05:03 which is always around Corey.
05:08 So it's just that shows you how far back it goes.
05:10 And I've been like that ever since I became a coach.
05:13 I don't feel like I've just been adopted.
05:16 Talk to the coaches, talk to the guys that are still here,
05:20 guys that are thinking about coming here.
05:22 So it's just like a big, big family.
05:24 And I think that's something that's special about it.
05:26 >> You have much interaction with Wes and the new staff during that time?
05:29 >> Yeah, yeah, yeah.
05:31 I love Wes.
05:31 I think he's gonna do a lot of great things for this program.
05:35 And I'm honestly very excited, very excited.
05:38 >> So you joked the other night after hitting the game winner,
05:41 which is your second on the tournament,
05:42 that you might need to keep some Pumas behind the bench.
05:44 >> Man, they got me the wrong size, bro.
05:47 If I had the right size, if I had a 14, I would for sure keep them by the bench.
05:52 >> So somebody's getting some grief for not getting the right size?
05:55 >> Yeah, I don't know if it's my fault or their fault.
05:58 It's somebody's fault though.
05:59 I don't play tennis.
06:01 >> What's your message for the Bearcats fans come Monday night as they make that
06:04 trip up to Dayton, which is just a 50 minute drive up the road?
06:07 And what do you expect to see from them on Monday?
06:08 >> Man, I expect to see them out there full of support.
06:11 And just excited to see us win another game.
06:16 I think that's something that's special.
06:18 That our fans remember a lot of these faces that's on this team.
06:20 They remember the things that we've done for this program.
06:22 So why not come out and see them?
06:24 >> Awesome, thanks, Jacob.