• last year
Arkansas Razorbacks coach Mike Neighbors on importance of turning the page with win over Samford after in-state loss to UAPB the weekend prior.
Transcript
00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:07 >> All right, so if you have a question about our two games coming up in
00:12 the West Palm Beach Classic against Illinois and UIC,
00:16 just use the raise your hand function and get started.
00:20 All right, Ethan.
00:23 >> I guess we could have asked this after the game Saturday, but
00:27 just what's that look like, I guess, the week since playing Sanford and
00:33 Little Rock, getting ready for these games down there?
00:35 >> Got back home, switched our bags around, had a quick practice and
00:40 got down here to enjoy the sun a little bit today.
00:43 We got in practice early at home.
00:46 I'm kind of losing track of my days.
00:48 Today, Tuesday, yeah, so we practiced Monday, got on the plane,
00:52 got down here in time to see the sunset.
00:54 Enjoy a little bit of time down here in a little bit warmer weather,
00:58 not that much warmer.
00:59 Got a good practice in today and spent a little time on the beach,
01:05 have a picnic out there on the beach.
01:06 And now we got them back in the hotel ready to feed them and
01:09 got an early tip time.
01:10 So traveling, a little bit of film.
01:14 Mainly, we didn't review a whole lot about Sanford.
01:17 We hadn't spent so much time as we have the two days.
01:19 You had to prepare for two opponents at once.
01:22 So we spent all our time doing that.
01:23 >> And then just talking about the first opponent ahead, Illinois.
01:28 I know they were preseason ranked and they were pretty good last year,
01:33 made the tournament and returned a lot of people.
01:35 Just thoughts, I guess, on them.
01:37 >> Well, Sean has got a similar philosophy as we do when it comes to scheduling.
01:41 Find out what your team's made of.
01:43 I think all their losses are to really good teams.
01:46 They do return all five starters from a team that went to the NCAA tournament.
01:51 Added a few nice pieces as well to that.
01:53 But a lot of experience.
01:56 It's gonna be an unbelievably good matchup at all five spots, I think.
02:00 Kind of look across the board, there's a kind of a natural matchup for each player.
02:04 Their three guards are very dynamic.
02:07 I think our three guards are dynamic.
02:08 Saylor and Shoup Hill at the four and then Miriam and Bostick at the five.
02:15 Those are, that's pretty good matchups across the board to start.
02:18 They may have a little advantage on us in depth and experience.
02:20 But sometimes in these events, it's a smaller venue.
02:24 We're both on neutral floors.
02:27 We both hadn't traveled.
02:28 We've both been balancing fun in the sun and work.
02:33 So they're always a cool matchup.
02:36 I'm glad we get to play them.
02:37 I think they're gonna be a tournament team again.
02:39 I mean, it's hard to stay ranked when you play good people like they have.
02:45 So I think it's a team that when the Big Ten season rolls around,
02:49 they're gonna be in the mix.
02:51 >> I just have one more.
02:51 It's just I know you were optimistic on Emory before the Samford game.
02:56 Is she gonna be available?
02:58 >> She is not.
02:59 My luck, my optimism was maybe me being an enthusiast on the Eni and
03:04 Graham's test, but she's still in too much pain to play.
03:08 I don't feel good about putting her out there.
03:10 Jenna is continuing to come along.
03:13 So we got Jenna that can play in those minutes between her and
03:16 Christina splitting time with Saylor.
03:19 But we would love to have had Emory back, but
03:20 we didn't get the news that we wanted.
03:22 So we'll be really patient with that.
03:24 This is one of those deals that if you don't make the right decision,
03:28 it could be a long term deal for work.
03:30 It's a tough injury, even in baseball, but really for basketball players,
03:35 it's one of those things that has some long term effects on it.
03:37 So we're gonna take it really slow.
03:39 I think we were all optimistic and hopeful, and we'll stay that way.
03:42 It's one of those things they said that can kind of change
03:46 as a week to week type deal.
03:49 So knowing that she's a tough kid though, I know that the second that she feels
03:53 like she's able, she'll be telling me that she's ready to go.
03:57 >> Thanks.
03:59 >> Yep.
04:00 >> Does anyone else have any questions?
04:02 Okay, Daniel, go ahead.
04:05 >> Yeah, two early morning games for you.
04:09 I know you played the early one at the beginning of the year with the kids.
04:12 Just what is it like?
04:14 Y'all haven't played a tournament since y'all were down in Florida the last time.
04:17 Just how's that different than maybe a regular week to week?
04:21 >> Yeah, I think our kids prefer them a little bit later than 11.
04:26 But when you're down in a place like this,
04:28 you wanna be able to get out and enjoy the day too.
04:29 So they're kind of come with the territory, but we started practicing at 11.
04:35 Once finals were over, we had a bunch of 11 o'clock practices last week
04:39 to kind of acclimate our bodies to getting up, getting around.
04:42 And I don't know, we've kind of got it.
04:44 I don't know, we might have kept more morning people than I thought we did.
04:48 We've had good energy.
04:49 There's been a lot of smiles, a lot of laughs.
04:51 I haven't been having to really do much motivating or inspiring.
04:57 They've been in good moods.
04:58 So I don't know, maybe 11 o'clock is our thing.
05:01 But I'm anxious that our side of the bracket will both play.
05:07 Our opponent will play after us tomorrow.
05:09 So we get a little bit extra rest when it comes to that too.
05:12 I hate the early games in preparation, but I love them once they're over.
05:16 >> Bouncing off what Ethan asked about Emory,
05:21 just kind of, are you looking to lengthen out the rotation at all?
05:26 Until you get Emory back, or are you just kind of sticking with-
05:29 >> I mean, it's gonna be Chris and
05:30 Jenna.
05:31 I mean, it's gonna be Chris, Jenna, and Keith coming off the bench.
05:33 That's our eight.
05:34 Carly Johnson's kind of sitting there.
05:37 She's been doing really good in practice, and
05:38 I think we could call on her if we needed to.
05:40 But not quite probably ready, and B's coming along as well.
05:45 So those are our only available players with Maren and
05:49 Lauren Lindsey sitting over there.
05:50 Kind of going through a red shirt, gray shirt situation with those two kids.
05:54 So with Jenna, Christina, and Keith,
06:00 so those will be our count on kids and then Carly when we need her.
06:03 >> Thank you, thanks, coach.
06:06 >> You got it.
06:09 >> Dudley?
06:09 Dudley, you good?
06:18 >> I can ask one in the meantime while we wait on him.
06:26 >> Yeah, go.
06:27 >> I had one that popped in my head actually after the game on Saturdays.
06:30 I know y'all did all those personality tech stuff in the off season to try and
06:35 just get to know each other better.
06:36 I realized, I noticed after the game that Mac and Sam talking about Talia,
06:41 they said she's somebody who whenever, I mean,
06:44 clearly just was a little rattled on Saturday.
06:46 She needs some encouraging words, but a lot of time just to herself.
06:49 It was like they were picking up on personality things.
06:52 I'm just wondering if there's other ways you've seen that stuff pay off.
06:55 It seemed like a clear example of them knowing their teammate better.
06:58 >> No, it's paid off.
06:59 I mean, at the end of the year, we'll sit down, I think,
07:03 and probably come up with a list of it, but it's a growing list.
07:07 And they're exactly right.
07:08 Talia is an eight, and we have several eights on our team and coaching staff.
07:14 And they do need some time.
07:16 They don't need words sometimes.
07:18 They need their space.
07:19 They need their time.
07:20 And then they come out of it.
07:22 What I noticed from Talia, which is the first time I've ever seen it in a freshman,
07:27 her shot wasn't going so she turned to defense.
07:29 That's a big step, man.
07:32 That's a big step.
07:33 Now she's emotional.
07:35 And don't judge her because sometimes people look at her and
07:39 they think one thing and it's another.
07:41 They think she's pouty or they think that she's mad or pissed.
07:46 She's not.
07:48 That's just the way she deals with things.
07:50 And she's not the only one.
07:51 Sam's an eight too.
07:53 Coach Todd's an eight.
07:54 We've got a lot of eights.
07:55 Jaycee's an eight.
07:55 We got a lot of eights.
07:57 And knowing those things about each other, Lacey's made a card,
08:01 which I carry right here in my little handy dandy thing I carry on every road trip.
08:08 And when I have to have a crucial conversation with one of my players or
08:13 my staff, I go to that card.
08:15 And it gives me some guidance.
08:18 I still trust my gut a lot.
08:20 There's times I don't.
08:21 I mean, I'll look over there and go, hey, Miriam's a two, three, I know.
08:24 And she's a helper and she's a peacemaker and she wants everybody to get along.
08:28 And but I do think it helps.
08:33 We coach these kids fairly, but we don't treat them equally.
08:37 because not everybody needs equality.
08:39 They need equitable treatment.
08:40 They need to be talked to the way they need to be talked to.
08:43 They need to be heard the way they need to be heard.
08:45 And if I come at a kid that gets defensive with a real tough tone,
08:52 then that message is never going to get heard.
08:54 So I think I said when we first started talking about at the beginning of the year,
08:58 I have kind of pooh-poohed these tests like this in the past.
09:04 I really have.
09:05 These personality tests, I've never put much stock in.
09:08 But I think because Lacey was such a strong believer in it,
09:12 it got me down that path and spent a little bit more time with.
09:15 And I have seen ways, and I think there's still ways we can all grow from it.
09:19 But to hear Mac and Sam say that about them,
09:21 that shows that that stuff's being applied.
09:24 [BLANK_AUDIO]
09:27 >> Can you hear me now?
09:29 >> You're good.
09:29 >> We can.
09:30 >> All right, I wanted to ask the question because this will be the first time in
09:34 40 years I've done it from a doctor's office.
09:36 >> I'll get you, man, you're all right.
09:38 >> It's just a regular checkup.
09:40 But obviously, you talked about the schedule and how tough it was.
09:45 And certainly it has been.
09:47 Talk about how you've done so far and
09:49 what are your main things you want to finish up before you get into the SEC play?
09:53 >> Yeah, I mean, we're starting to shoot the ball a little bit better.
09:55 We're taking care of it better.
09:57 Our shot quality is going up.
10:00 I think we've eliminated some of these shots that nobody in the world can make.
10:05 I think defensively, we've learned to trust each other a little bit.
10:09 We're more games into accepting our roles have been identified, but
10:13 it takes a while to accept them once you get there.
10:16 I think our rotations because of injuries and
10:19 departures has kind of solidified itself and I think now we can go to work.
10:24 I've seen a big change in our practices.
10:27 So I hope those things carry over to games because we're gonna have to really
10:31 be good, we're gonna have to be, not be able to practice too long.
10:35 So we have to practice sharply so that we can have our legs when it comes game time.
10:40 But, [COUGH] Sorry, popping off a little Florida cold.
10:46 I know- >> I got a stethoscope and
10:48 stuff we can use over here.
10:49 >> Yeah, can we get a diagnosis there?
10:51 >> Yeah.
10:53 >> From what I've seen in the SEC play,
10:55 we're gonna have to rebound it defensively a little bit better.
10:58 If we do all the things defensively that we've done to create a missed shot and
11:03 these teams in the SEC have kids that can just rebound and stick it back in,
11:08 that really doesn't do us a lot of good.
11:11 So we have got to get committed to hitting people and
11:16 we let people run by sometimes.
11:18 So the defensive rebounding and then continuing down that path of not turning
11:23 it over and taking really good shots, we are starting to gain confidence in our
11:27 shots, so I think we got to keep getting more and more of them.
11:31 >> All right, appreciate it.
11:32 >> Yeah, hey, good luck down there.
11:34 >> [LAUGH] >> It's one of those places where I want
11:37 to say stay positive, but you almost want to be negative in the doctor's office.
11:41 >> Yeah, absolutely.
11:42 >> Never understood that we get that term so backwards, but hope you're negative.
11:47 >> Yes.
11:48 >> All right, Jacob, we'll wrap up with you.
11:51 >> Hey, coach, I just wanted to ask you about you use the term the coach cowl
11:56 arrogant term about the way you guys played against UAPB.
12:00 Last Wednesday you used it after the Samford game.
12:03 Obviously, Illinois is a big 10 opponent, but UIC as well.
12:06 How is, you talked about having conversations with your team in practice
12:10 about addressing every game and being ready to play every game.
12:13 How have you seen that kind of taken by the team?
12:16 Obviously, after the loss and in preparation for this tournament.
12:20 >> It was one of those ones that hurts you enough to make some changes.
12:23 Nothing changes until you make changes.
12:26 So we've made some changes and
12:27 I think the kids have seen the positive results of that.
12:30 It was real clear watching that film.
12:33 I mean, it was just so blatantly clear.
12:37 So you've asked for ways, so I'll tell you.
12:39 We've talked about and we say it in practice or we say it in pregame.
12:44 Hey, be on the good clips.
12:46 We make a good, the bad and the ugly, kind of a three stage.
12:52 Don't be on the ugly, man.
12:53 You don't wanna be that kid everybody's looking at.
12:56 What is happening here?
12:58 What just happened?
12:59 They just walked by you or you just did something completely out of character.
13:04 What is going on?
13:05 You don't wanna be on that part of the film.
13:07 Because to me, that's when that arrogance steps in there.
13:10 Hey, we can just go out there and I don't have to really hit anybody or
13:13 I don't have to cut when they cut.
13:15 Or I'm so fast I can make up for it.
13:18 Not anymore.
13:20 The talent has gotten so spread out across our country.
13:22 And I mean, now with the rest of our schedule, I mean, USC is good too.
13:26 You're not gonna catch us being arrogant.
13:28 I don't think another game out of the year.
13:31 But sometimes it takes that one slap in the face.
13:34 Dudley and I have talked about this before.
13:38 When it happens in baseball, sees everybody goes, that's just baseball.
13:42 I've always wondered why nobody ever says, that's just basketball.
13:46 They don't ever say that about a basketball game.
13:48 All that happens all the time in baseball.
13:49 Well, it can happen in any sport.
13:52 And I think sometimes it has to happen to you.
13:55 I think it's really hard to learn all the time from winning and
13:57 you need a tough lesson.
13:58 So we got ours and I think we took it.
14:02 Nobody pointed fingers at anybody.
14:05 They took a lot of responsibility and accepted a lot of the blame.
14:08 And in fact, probably heaped more upon themselves than even the coaches did.
14:12 So, no loss is a good loss.
14:16 But if you learn from them, they don't have to be terrible losses.
14:19 >> And then you touched on my next question a little bit,
14:23 talking about Talia's impact on the defensive side of the ball.
14:26 Mikayla and Sam both talked about, hey, I don't think she had a bad game against.
14:30 Sam thought she was really impressive on the defensive side of the ball.
14:33 And so, what have you seen from her throughout the season grasping defensive
14:37 concepts and then just being a man to man defender in general?
14:41 That part of the game that's not talked about probably enough.
14:44 >> Yeah, it's how she earned her position starting because of how she defended.
14:49 There's always gonna be concepts that she's gonna get better and better at.
14:52 Because literally right now, Jacob, every word that comes out of our mouth is
14:56 literally a new terminology for her or a new scheme.
14:59 Or she looks around and goes, well, what the hell does that mean?
15:03 And once she figures it out, she goes and does it.
15:06 But she stole the ball in the inbounds, laid it in, and
15:08 she started picking the kid up full court and really hounding her.
15:11 And she takes a lot of pride in taking charges.
15:14 I think it's more so once everybody gets comfortable playing with her, so
15:18 she can go help other places too.
15:20 Tendencies as a freshman is to worry too much about your man,
15:25 cuz you don't wanna be on that ugly film cuz your man did something.
15:30 But I think what Mack and Sam have been really instrumental in helping her with
15:34 is knowing that, hey, you didn't have a bad game.
15:37 You just didn't shoot it well.
15:38 That doesn't [BLANK_AUDIO]
15:46 On having to be great every single game to make a McDonald's All-American team or
15:52 to make player of the year for Gatorade in your state.
15:55 You really can't afford a bad game.
15:56 You can do that in the college club cuz you got teammates.
15:59 And I really think what our kids are starting to grasp is that it's kinda nice
16:05 not to have to have the pressure to go out there and get 25 a night.
16:08 Dungey used to talk about it all the time.
16:10 Cuz I loved one night just to show up and be able to just play and
16:13 see what happens.
16:15 So I think what they're realizing, and Talia too,
16:18 Mack and Sam can hit you for 25 in a hurry too.
16:21 Taylor can hit you for that, and Miriam's got it in her too.
16:24 So I think that the comfortable zone,
16:30 we're been growing a lot, so we've not had much comfort.
16:33 I think Talia is gonna continue to see more and more on both offense and defense.
16:37 But defense is a lot of effort, a lot of want to.
16:40 And man, when she did the other night, it completely changed, I thought,
16:44 the second half.
16:44 So I'm glad those two kids pointed that out too.
16:48 [BLANK_AUDIO]
16:49 >> And then last thing, or sorry.
16:51 >> Go ahead.
16:52 >> No, go ahead. >> I was just gonna ask one more thing.
16:54 I know you like to let your team enjoy these trips.
16:58 So can you give us a peek behind the curtain on any fun vacation plans here?
17:02 >> Yeah, Lacey got us a picnic on the beach today.
17:05 I don't think our kids really knew what it was gonna be.
17:09 I heard them on the bus going, we're gonna be out there how long?
17:11 We're gonna be doing what?
17:13 And once we climbed over that retaining wall, there's this real nice setup,
17:18 little gazebo setup with tables and pillows and
17:22 carpet right there on the sand, the wind was blowing.
17:25 And I mean, it was beautiful.
17:26 And you could just hear that sound in their voice like, wow,
17:29 this is more than what I was anticipating.
17:32 So a game of football broke out on the wake with some of our kids.
17:38 And I was talking to a couple that was there just sitting on the beach.
17:42 And he said, I can't believe you're letting your kids play football over there.
17:46 Don't y'all have a game tomorrow?
17:47 I said, we do.
17:48 I said, we do, but I've learned a long time ago.
17:50 Probably if I don't let them do stuff like that,
17:52 then they're gonna get hurt in the game.
17:53 So I've never, we played tackle football one time before one of our biggest games
17:57 when I was an assistant coach.
17:59 I learned that from Kevin McGuff.
18:01 Injuries are gonna happen.
18:02 So obviously, we don't put them in situations where they're gonna be too tired.
18:07 But I mean, again, if we wanted to keep them in the hotel,
18:10 I'd take them to some northern city that was iced in and snowed in and
18:15 we didn't have the desire, we wouldn't come to Florida.
18:17 But I think the cultural experiences, the times you spend with your teammates,
18:23 I was playing in the sand.
18:25 The girls came down, played with my boys, they built sandcastles.
18:29 We were fighting off seagulls, playing football.
18:31 I truly believe in our sport.
18:35 Those things will be as remembered as much as the two games we're getting ready
18:37 to play.
18:38 So I don't wanna be that guy that that's all we remember about their experience
18:43 in college.
18:44 But you do have to walk a fine line with that.
18:46 You have to go out and perform well, and these kids know that.
18:48 They know that we're gonna, it's the old work hard, play hard method or whatever.
18:52 But they know that they're gonna do that.
18:54 If they'll work hard in practice, we're gonna give them something fun.
18:56 And we'll take them to the mall tonight and kinda let them spread out and
19:00 eat on their own.
19:01 And I get criticized for that some, I don't know what they're eating.
19:04 And if they're not gonna eat right, we don't have a chance.
19:07 I trust them.
19:08 So you have to give them some trust until they stop earning it.
19:12 But we'll go shopping tonight and then we'll see.
19:16 We'll be done tomorrow by 11.
19:18 We play at 11, we'll be done before the sun goes down.
19:21 So depending on how quickly we can get our film knocked out,
19:24 we got something else fun planned for tomorrow.
19:26 [BLANK_AUDIO]
19:28 >> All right, Daniel.
19:31 >> I was just gonna sneak in one more.
19:33 What else is in that box if you don't mind sharing, if you can share?
19:38 >> Pens, phone chargers, my cards that I write the kids on.
19:46 Notes that I get from various coaches, notes I get from players.
19:52 The notes that I handwrite them and give them for each game.
19:55 I've got three or four different sizes.
19:59 I'm fascinated by roadies.
20:00 I stood backstage and watched roadies load and unload stage crews.
20:07 So it helps me stay organized.
20:09 So I've got three or four different sizes of those I carry around.
20:11 And each thing's kinda got their spot.
20:14 My calendar's in there, play cards, game notes,
20:19 scouting reports, stuff like that.
20:22 >> Is that something you've done your entire career or is that a new thing?
20:26 >> Head coaching, my head coaching career, yeah.
20:29 And then each one of them kinda becomes a time capsule for that year.
20:35 At the end of the year, I clean them out and put in the last copy of Kyle's game
20:39 notes, all the box scores, all our practice schedules.
20:42 Anything that reminds me of that year, it goes up on a shelf.
20:48 So I've got 10 of those sitting there now.
20:51 Something I wanted to do is when I was an assistant coach,
20:54 I kept writing in my little book, when I'm a head coach,
20:56 I'm gonna do things this way.
20:57 So that's when it started.