Arkansas Razorbacks players Jersey Wolfenbarger, Saylor Poffenbarger and Sasha Goforth before Thursday's practice as they get ready to leave for couple of weeks in Europe.
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00:00 Just first, I guess, to start off,
00:02 you three, any of you,
00:03 just how do you feel like summer practices have been going,
00:06 you know, getting ready for this trip?
00:08 I think they've been super competitive,
00:10 which is something that is always fun.
00:13 And I think when you go to a foreign trip,
00:16 it's like more of what you bring out of it
00:18 'cause you're not always gonna,
00:19 it's not always about who you're playing.
00:21 It's more so for yourself.
00:22 So I just think that we have a really,
00:26 we're really blessed to be able to play against
00:29 the competition we're playing against.
00:30 And sometimes, you know, you go into practice
00:31 and it's like you have five out and it's noticeable.
00:35 And I think for us, it's like you play,
00:37 any group of five is gonna win at any point in time.
00:40 Like, it's not like you're gonna go out and see a team
00:42 and be like, oh, they're gonna win.
00:43 And I think that we have a very special team
00:46 that just summer has brought out a competitive side
00:48 that we haven't seen in a while.
00:49 And just everyone wants to be there
00:51 because everyone wants to compete and everyone wants to win.
00:53 And so it's just been a really healthy environment.
00:58 - Kind of on that note of the competition in AU3,
01:01 it seems like from watching practices,
01:03 there's pretty, just a lot of depth
01:05 that maybe you didn't have in the past.
01:07 And how do you feel like that's come into play
01:08 as far as practice, just having that extra,
01:11 it feels like every position,
01:12 there's a lot of good competition.
01:15 - We have a lot of really good players on our team.
01:17 And I think we're finally starting to understand
01:20 how we fit into the puzzle that is Coach Nabe's system.
01:23 I think past couple of years that I've been here,
01:25 it's been really hard
01:26 because a lot of people's positions have changed
01:28 based on what the team needed for that season.
01:30 And I think this year we have enough depth
01:32 for people to kind of be solidified in what position
01:35 and what role they're going to play on this team.
01:37 So I think that just this summer,
01:40 it's been really, really helpful to kind of get a,
01:42 get to see how much depth that we have
01:44 and how competitive, like Saylor said, it's become
01:46 and just kind of grow with that
01:48 and let that be the culture of this team.
01:50 - Sasha, how are you feeling?
01:53 And how's it been to get back?
01:55 - Yeah, I'm feeling, I've been doing a lot better.
01:58 It feels awesome being back with the team.
02:01 Obviously I missed them a lot last year.
02:03 I still was around, but it feels really great
02:06 to be back out there and back a part of this team.
02:10 - Sasha, kind of going off of that,
02:15 can you talk about what your process
02:17 has been like getting back?
02:18 What has the day-to-day been like for you?
02:21 How difficult has it been?
02:22 How easy has it been to get back in with everybody?
02:25 And how do you like this team this year?
02:27 - Yeah, so I would say it definitely was a bit
02:32 of a challenge, you know, to get back in the groove
02:34 of things, obviously taking a whole year off,
02:37 but I definitely have tools that I use now
02:41 to kind of help ground me and that kind of ensure
02:46 that I'm still feeling good every day.
02:48 So I have more of a routine that I do.
02:52 And sorry, oh, with the team,
02:54 how has it been being with the team?
02:56 It's been amazing being back with the team.
03:00 Was that your question?
03:00 I'm sorry.
03:01 - Yeah, I wanted to go off of that a little bit.
03:03 Like how has it been kind of integrating back
03:05 into it with them?
03:06 I'm sure they've welcomed you with open arms.
03:08 I know we talked to Mikaela and Samara
03:10 and they were just overjoyed to have you back.
03:13 I mean, has that kind of been the attitude
03:16 amongst the whole team?
03:17 - Yes, ever since I left, like even just coming back
03:20 to practice on that first day, like I'll never forget
03:23 the whole team berated me with hugs
03:26 and just laughter and support.
03:29 So that's something that I'll never forget.
03:31 And it's been the same every day.
03:33 Everyone has welcomed me back with open arms
03:36 and is just incredibly supportive in every way.
03:39 So I couldn't be more thankful for all of them.
03:42 - And this is for Jersey and Saylor.
03:43 What's it like having Sasha back on the court,
03:46 you know, for Saylor, you know, what's it like playing
03:48 with a competitor like her kind of talk,
03:51 give your thoughts on that.
03:53 - Well, me and Sasha joke about it.
03:54 We guard each other every single day.
03:56 And I think that we met, like, it's like kind of a joke,
04:00 but also I will put it against anyone in the country
04:03 that no one goes against someone.
04:04 The, like, I feel like our competition every day
04:07 in practice isn't found in any gym.
04:09 And I think that for us, that's like very special,
04:13 even though some days we hate it.
04:14 It's like, we're like, we're never on the same team.
04:17 Like, it's always like, we're going to go out
04:18 and it's like, all right, we got Sasha, I got Saylor.
04:20 So I think it's just, it's a blessing in disguise.
04:23 And I think that we take it to our advantage,
04:24 just being able to go against length
04:26 that you're not going to face every night.
04:28 So it's like, oh, if I can score or if I can guard her,
04:30 okay, I can probably guard 99% of the people
04:34 that I'm going to go against.
04:35 And I think that it's been really cool to like
04:37 have her come back and see it come back.
04:38 Cause I think there's not a lot of people
04:41 that can take a year off and come back and not skip a beat.
04:44 And I think that just having her back is really special,
04:46 just her personality and just her as a person
04:49 outside of all the basketball talent has been really good
04:51 and just great for our team.
04:53 - Sasha, when Saylor hurt her ankle a little bit
04:57 two days ago, did your heart go in your throat for a second?
05:00 - It did.
05:01 It literally skipped a beat.
05:02 Cause like she said, we guard each other every day.
05:05 So whenever something happens, I'm automatically like, crap,
05:09 that was my fault.
05:10 But I understand, like, it wasn't my fault.
05:12 And like, we're just competitors.
05:14 So we're going to both go hard at each other every day.
05:16 But obviously it was a little bit scary,
05:19 but I'm glad she's good.
05:20 And also what Saylor said about like
05:22 being competitive with one another.
05:25 And like, I totally agree.
05:27 Like she makes me better every single day.
05:30 And I'm really glad, like she said, it's hard.
05:34 Every day it's hard and you're,
05:36 you have a challenge in front of your face,
05:38 but that's what's going to make us better.
05:40 So I agree.
05:41 And I am thankful for that.
05:43 - And Jersey, are you playing more inside?
05:46 I see blocking shots and stuff.
05:47 Are you doing more of that this year?
05:50 - I've really taken to heart my defense
05:52 and rebounding ability this year.
05:53 And that's something I've been trying to focus on,
05:55 especially during the summer.
05:57 Just adding that to my game,
05:58 I think makes me a whole different player,
06:00 a more complete player.
06:02 That's for playing inside or outside.
06:04 I don't know where I'll end up playing,
06:06 but I'm just thankful for whatever opportunities
06:07 thrown my way.
06:08 - Jersey, Coach Nabors said the other day
06:11 that he just thinks you look different.
06:14 We just talked kind of about your off season
06:15 and how you've gotten to where it just seems
06:17 like you're playing pretty smoothly right now.
06:19 - Yeah, I've just been really focusing on myself
06:22 and my ability to produce on the court.
06:25 Kind of my routine before we started team practices back up
06:29 during the off season,
06:31 I was doing like four to five workouts just personally.
06:34 And then come season, like not season season,
06:37 but leading into Greece and team practices,
06:39 I've been trying to limit those down
06:41 to like three separate workouts from team stuff
06:44 because I don't want to just clearly exhaust my body.
06:47 But I also know that this is a transitional period for me.
06:51 And I want my junior season to kind of be that
06:54 mark of success for myself.
06:56 So just really making sure that this summer
06:58 is what is leading into this year.
07:01 - And any of you just,
07:02 what do you think about the newcomers y'all have
07:03 and how have you kind of gotten them into the fold some?
07:06 - I think freshmen summer is always interesting
07:10 'cause everyone has their idea
07:13 of what it's going to be like.
07:15 And then it's always the complete opposite.
07:16 And so it's funny, I think all of us could say
07:20 they come in the locker room and they're like,
07:21 "Oh my God, we have lift today."
07:23 Or like, "Oh my God, we have this."
07:24 But it's like, you know,
07:25 it's not coming from like, they don't want to do it.
07:27 It's just like, dang, I'm now a college athlete
07:29 and I have to go to class at nine
07:30 and I have to be at practice at 10
07:31 and then I have to lift after.
07:32 And so I think that just like,
07:34 just watching them learn the process has been kind of cool,
07:37 but also like just letting them know that
07:41 they're doing good
07:42 and kind of not putting as much pressure on them.
07:44 I think that when freshmen come in,
07:45 they put so much pressure on themselves
07:47 to like make that first impression
07:49 and like be what they were and why they came to Arkansas.
07:52 And so I think just like our job as players
07:54 is kind of to just be their support and be like,
07:56 "It's okay to make a mistake
07:57 and it's okay to like learn
07:59 and every day is not going to be your best day."
08:01 So for me, it's been kind of cool
08:03 'cause it's just like watching them
08:04 and just listening to them is kind of funny to me.
08:07 And then just seeing how well they do,
08:09 they've all adapted great
08:10 and they're all like good people, good teammates.
08:12 And so I feel like they've came in really easy
08:15 and added everything that we would expect.
08:19 - I think it's really funny
08:20 to see their personalities progress.
08:23 Like when every freshman gets on campus,
08:25 you're all just a little quiet, a little shy,
08:26 you're trying to kind of test the waters.
08:29 And so the longer you're around each other,
08:31 like we're around each other every day.
08:33 And so you guys,
08:34 we kind of get to see each other's personalities progress
08:36 within the team.
08:37 And like Talia, when she first came in,
08:39 I was like, "Okay, she's going to be really quiet."
08:40 Definitely not one of the quietest on the team.
08:43 But like with Maren and Jenna,
08:45 they're still pretty quiet.
08:46 And then Keats is definitely quiet,
08:48 but she's like a nonchalant type of funny.
08:50 So just seeing everybody's personalities
08:52 kind of just develop the longer that we're around each other
08:55 and kind of create those bonds and those memories.
08:58 - I would just say to that,
09:00 it's also cool because they're all so talented.
09:04 So it's been,
09:06 obviously you're going to make freshmen mistakes.
09:08 Everyone does,
09:10 but it's been really cool to see them
09:12 kind of integrate on the team.
09:15 And you can't, I mean,
09:17 you can tell, you could probably tell they're freshmen,
09:20 but not because of their talent or their skills.
09:24 They're all very talented
09:26 and they've all done such a good job
09:28 at just like owning like who we are
09:31 and what coach neighbors,
09:33 whatever play style is like.
09:36 They've all done a really good job
09:38 at becoming a part of that.
09:40 So.
09:42 - And talking about coach neighbor style,
09:43 he said y'all are actually going to add a press this year.
09:45 What have y'all thought about kind of working through that?
09:49 And he also said that there's a good chance
09:51 to kind of have 10 or 11 players getting time.
09:54 Just how important do you think it is,
09:55 implementing this press
09:56 and then accepting roles on the team?
09:58 - I think this press is something
10:00 that's completely new to his system.
10:02 So we're all going through the growing pains
10:04 of understanding who's supposed to be
10:05 and what gap in the press
10:07 and who's supposed to be going to trap
10:08 and all these things.
10:10 But as far as the roles,
10:11 I think they're more noticeable this year.
10:14 Like, whereas the last couple of years,
10:16 it's been kind of,
10:17 oh, we need somebody to kind of fill this position
10:19 rather than this is your role,
10:20 this is what you bring to the team
10:21 and we're going to utilize that.
10:22 And we're going to play to those types of strengths
10:24 rather than try to conform your weaknesses
10:26 into something that we need.
10:28 So I think, yeah, having more depth
10:31 and adding more people to our system
10:32 is really going to help us in the long run.
10:34 - Yeah, I think we play really fast
10:35 as it is, so adding a press only adds more speed.
10:39 And I think that, I mean,
10:40 just up here is six, one and above.
10:42 So it's like, we have so much length
10:44 and we have so much athleticism
10:46 that it's like, we should just use it to our ability.
10:47 I mean, when you play in the SEC,
10:49 you're playing against the top competition every night.
10:51 So you really have to find what's going to separate you.
10:54 And sometimes it's not much.
10:56 And I think that for us,
10:58 the speed and the athleticism
10:59 that our whole team brings
11:00 and the depth is what we have to bring
11:03 and like we have to use to our advantage.
11:05 So I think adding a press, yeah,
11:06 like she said, we're going to go through the growing pains.
11:08 We're going to sometimes get back
11:10 and we're going to be like, oh gosh, we got to go up.
11:11 But I think that just when you sit back
11:14 and you're like, okay, well,
11:15 this is the difference between us in Tennessee
11:17 or us in South Carolina.
11:18 And this is something that we could use to our ability.
11:20 I think it kind of helps like see the bigger picture.
11:23 So I definitely think it's going to be different,
11:25 but I think that seeing the size that we have,
11:29 it's kind of like, why wouldn't we?
11:30 Like, why wouldn't we use our size and our advantage?
11:33 So I think it'll be good.
11:35 - And then plus the depth,
11:37 like they both talked about,
11:39 that's going to be really helpful
11:40 whenever we are pressing and playing extremely fast.
11:43 You know, it's going to be nice to have someone
11:46 who can just come in right for you
11:47 and there won't be much difference in the game
11:49 because of that.
11:50 - Yeah, yeah, I just had one more at the end,
11:55 but this is for Jersey and Sailor.
11:58 So both of you guys answer this,
11:59 but Coach Nabors said yesterday, you know,
12:01 or whenever it was last week,
12:03 whenever we talked, I keep saying yesterday,
12:06 but he said that last year was just really hard
12:08 and it was just a really hard year all around
12:10 for everybody in this group.
12:13 Do you think you see a change between last year
12:16 and this year in culture, attitude,
12:18 or kind of, you know, kind of renewed energy
12:21 to do really well this year
12:22 and start the year off strong with this Europe trip?
12:25 - Go for it.
12:27 - Yeah, I definitely think it's like corny to say,
12:29 but you grow through hard times.
12:30 And I think that all of us being on the team last year,
12:32 just how emotionally draining it kind of was.
12:35 And, you know, you don't pinpoint what the reason was,
12:38 but there's a bunch of things,
12:40 every single person can sit down and be like,
12:42 it was this, this, and this.
12:43 And I think that when you lose games by one point
12:46 in one possession, and then you don't make the tournament,
12:48 like there's nothing more gut-wrenching than that.
12:50 Like, I think as competitors, like I said,
12:53 all we've, our summer has been so competitive.
12:54 We're all super competitive.
12:56 All we want to do is win.
12:57 And so when you have those kinds of things,
12:59 opportunities taken away from you, it's like, okay,
13:02 we have to change because that's not going to change.
13:04 Like the outcome's not going to change unless we change.
13:06 And I think that just the people that were here last year
13:08 knew what it felt like,
13:10 and no one wants to be in that position again.
13:12 And so it's like, okay, well,
13:14 everyone's going to have to, you know,
13:17 dive in a little deeper in their personality
13:19 and be a little more patient with someone else.
13:21 And I think that just having gone through that,
13:24 you know how important and the emphasis on it.
13:26 Like I know for me, just like,
13:28 I have to be a little more patient with myself,
13:30 or I have to be a little more patient with my teammate
13:32 and maybe help explain that extra mile
13:34 and like not get frustrated.
13:36 And I think it's like little things like that
13:37 that have been the biggest difference.
13:38 Like we all want to play, we all want to win,
13:41 but we also all want to be around each other.
13:42 Like this year it's like, we're doing things as a team
13:45 and we're not like, oh my God, we have practice today.
13:47 Like, oh my God.
13:48 And I think that that's just the biggest difference
13:50 is like the feeling of the locker room
13:52 has been so much more uplifting.
13:54 And I think as it doesn't sound like a lot,
13:56 but it is, it's a huge difference when you walk in
13:59 and you don't want to do it, but everyone next to you does.
14:02 So then you want to do it.
14:03 And that's been the biggest thing for us.
14:05 - Like Saylor kind of said, like this year
14:08 you're getting everybody's best shot.
14:09 I think last year we had an idea
14:12 of what we wanted to do individually
14:14 and not so much as like what we wanted to bring to the team.
14:17 And I think this year you're getting from the staff
14:19 to the players, everybody's best.
14:21 And I think that's super important.
14:22 That's going to be the difference
14:23 between this year's team and last year's.
14:25 - Okay, last thing we asked Mac and Sam,
14:29 long flights are about to be on.
14:31 What are each of you doing on those flights?
14:33 - Sleeping.
14:36 - I wish I could say sleeping,
14:37 but I can never sleep on planes.
14:38 So I'm probably going to be watching Hulu or something.
14:42 - I'm going to probably be thinking about something
14:44 'cause I can't sleep either.
14:46 And I feel like I get a little, I get a little nervous,
14:49 like nine hours or eight hours.
14:52 That's long enough for me to scheme something up in my head.
14:56 - I can sleep at any point in time.
14:58 So it's not going to be an issue for me.
15:00 (laughing)
15:01 - You really can.
15:02 - Four hour layover in Atlanta before.
15:04 - I'll also be sleeping then.
15:05 - I could sleep there.
15:09 - Yeah.
15:09 - I don't know, I'm excited.
15:10 It'll be fun.
15:12 - I hope I get a window seat though.
15:13 I got to lay my head on something.
15:15 - Right, I'm not trying to be in the middle of my head.
15:17 - Oh, I can't.
15:18 I think that's unfair if they put six, five people
15:20 in the middle of the airplane.
15:22 Okay, thank you, Kylie.