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00:00 >> So Pat, obviously, better production, more playing time,
00:04 is it confidence, what's leading to your improvement?
00:09 >> I mean, I guess every game you go out there just trying to do what you can,
00:19 make the most out of your opportunities.
00:20 I really just ended up, the ball ended up falling into my hands a couple times.
00:26 Ohio State, I got that put back dunk, just took a nice bounce.
00:31 That kind of got things rolling and
00:34 I've really just been capitalizing on the opportunities I've been given.
00:42 But really I've been going out there with the same mindset, ready to do that.
00:49 I just happen to be getting a couple more opportunities as of late.
00:53 >> You started this past week, but what was that like?
00:57 Cuz I think that's first year career, right?
01:00 >> Yeah, besides junior college, yeah, first start of my college career.
01:06 I mean, it's definitely an experience and
01:12 it's definitely something I've been working for.
01:14 Hoping to hold on to and continue to be productive and
01:23 improve that I belong there.
01:25 So definitely was an experience for sure.
01:29 >> You look at Texas and I mean, even if you just look at their numbers,
01:36 preparing defensively for them, what's the challenge there?
01:43 Because it seems like it'd be kind of hard to help off a lot of guys because they
01:46 have so many guys who can score.
01:49 >> Yeah, in the Big 12, there's not too many teams who aren't like that.
01:57 Unfortunately, every team's got their guys.
02:02 So yeah, Texas, they're a good team.
02:04 But we have a defensive game plan.
02:14 I trust our assistant coaches, they do a great job scouting.
02:19 They do a great job preparing.
02:20 A lot of times it's just about our execution of it.
02:24 And I don't know, I have full confidence in that
02:28 they'll get us in what we need to be in for Texas.
02:30 >> Guys as a team, as a unit, improved defensively,
02:36 giving up 89 and 81 so far in the two Big 12 games.
02:40 What's it gonna take to get that number down?
02:43 >> It's more about just taking it personal.
02:48 A lot of guys, sometimes different things are going on or
02:51 you have different things in your mind from the offensive end or
02:57 just maybe how the game's going or whatever it may be.
03:00 And it's really, that was one of the things that I remember most
03:06 about Hugs is that he got you to take things personal.
03:10 Like if your man scored on you, he's ripping you a new one and
03:14 saying, is he better than you?
03:17 You gotta take things personal.
03:20 And I think sometimes we don't necessarily say, you know what?
03:26 My man isn't scoring and I'm gonna do absolutely everything I can
03:30 to stop that from happening.
03:32 I think we could definitely grow in that category and we have been.
03:39 And that's been a big emphasis in practice the last few games.
03:46 That's the first thing they said.
03:48 They brought it up, how many points we're giving up and
03:50 that we need to start taking this a lot more personal.
03:53 So I think that'll definitely be the big thing on that.
04:00 >> You talked about the ball just falling into your hands a couple of times and
04:05 getting you going, but that doesn't really happen.
04:07 I mean, that's the result of work, isn't it?
04:09 I mean, they say luck is a residue of hard work.
04:14 >> I think it's really just the ambition.
04:16 I really wanna score.
04:18 I know that's one thing that I can do for our team.
04:21 I really wanna help us win.
04:24 And it's like a lot of times, I'm just out there and it's like, man,
04:27 I wish things were going another way.
04:30 So I'm gonna do everything I can.
04:32 And a lot of those opportunities just kinda came from just ambition of wanting
04:37 the ball and then once you get it, you got your moment.
04:41 So it's just making the most of it.
04:42 >> I'm kinda curious, you obviously went through it last year,
04:46 your kind of introduction to the Big 12.
04:49 A lot of new guys this year and granted, they came from big schools and
04:54 big leagues too, but I mean, the Big 12 has this reputation about itself.
05:00 And so I'm kinda wondering, what's been kinda the feedback from some of these
05:03 other guys who are going through it for the first time?
05:07 >> Yeah, I guess I wouldn't say they're full,
05:12 everyone's for the most part getting their first taste of the Big 12.
05:19 And the returners, we've been telling them this is what it is.
05:24 We go out to Houston and have that first Big 12 game experience for
05:29 most of the guys and credit to Houston, they're a great team.
05:35 But I'd say more of the Big 12 is similar to them,
05:40 like in level of play than not.
05:43 So while some guys might be like, yeah, Houston's just a great team.
05:49 No, that's what we're gonna be playing against.
05:53 We have to be able to defend and score at that level.
05:58 So I mean, obviously your first experience with the Big 12,
06:04 you're gonna notice it.
06:05 But it wasn't anything that I would say is overwhelming.
06:10 It's like, yeah, you need an adjustment, but
06:14 it's definitely something we can handle.
06:18 >> Take me through your athletic background.
06:21 Always a basketball guy growing up?
06:22 Did you play other sports?
06:24 What else did you do?
06:25 >> Yeah, so growing up, I played everything basically.
06:30 I played baseball, I was a pitcher, first base.
06:35 I was actually pretty good, I was throwing like 90s in high school.
06:39 Thought I was either gonna be a baseball or a football player.
06:44 And then I just kept growing.
06:46 [LAUGH] My dad's six foot, mom's five seven.
06:51 I didn't expect to be six eight.
06:52 So I kinda just played everything.
06:56 Was a little bit of a skateboarder, snowboarder growing up.
07:00 Never really pictured playing in the Big 12 as a kid.
07:08 But as I kept growing, got to be like a six four freshman in high school.
07:15 I was like, man, I should probably start playing some basketball.
07:19 Maybe I get my school paid for.
07:21 And ever since then, I kinda just fell in love with the game.
07:24 And I love sports, I could play anything.
07:28 But basketball is definitely the one thing that I decided,
07:32 this is what I wanna do.
07:34 >> That area of Wisconsin, that valley area,
07:36 I mean, you don't think of great basketball there.
07:39 But you, Jordan, Halliburton, all come from there.
07:43 There are probably others you know about.
07:44 But better than maybe outside people realize?
07:48 >> Yeah, we're definitely overlooked.
07:49 I mean, I didn't have a single offer in high school until we made it to state.
07:57 So no one's watching us.
07:59 Unless you're successful, unless you make it.
08:02 I was a six eight kid averaging three dunks a game.
08:05 I had a game with 20 rebounds, but no one's recruiting me.
08:09 Just cuz the area that we're in or whatever.
08:12 So I definitely say that there's some really good players there
08:19 that just aren't getting the looks just because it's got that reputation.
08:24 We're Green Bay, we're a football state, football area.
08:28 >> Tyler Harrow.
08:30 >> Yeah, Tyler Harrow.
08:31 >> [LAUGH] >> Yeah, Wisconsin's got a lot of guys.
08:35 Jalen Johnson on the Hawks.
08:36 Just a whole bunch of guys I grew up playing against and working out with and
08:42 training with.
08:43 And I think that's really what got me here,
08:47 got me to the level of success I've had so
08:50 far is having those guys in the area.
08:53 >> Jordan, I mean, he'd be a year or two older than you.
08:57 Did you ever see him in high school?
08:59 Was his reputation as big as it seemingly was everywhere?
09:03 >> So Jordan will never act like it around here.
09:07 He acts like he's a normal guy.
09:08 But if you go back to that area, the 920, my area code, every person knows him.
09:16 He's a legend.
09:17 Any basketball player, my God, it's Jordan McCabe.
09:21 Everyone's got their Jordan McCabe story.
09:24 Yeah, I went to a camp with him.
09:25 Yeah, he played at our high school.
09:29 For instance, I was, I wanna say a junior in high school.
09:34 I stood out in the rain waiting for the doors to open for his,
09:39 I think it was his sectional playoff game.
09:42 It's standing room only.
09:44 And then after the game, this is just a high school game.
09:47 After the game, they have a professional camera and backdrop for
09:52 people to go and take pictures with him after the game and sign autographs.
09:56 There's a 30 person line after his high school game.
09:59 So he is a phenom out there, but he's the humblest guy ever.
10:05 He plays it down, but yeah, he's the guy in Wisconsin.
10:10 >> You were talking about your gross part,
10:14 your mom and dad ever wonder how did that happen?
10:18 >> Right, yeah, I don't know.
10:20 I just, thank God.
10:24 I always, I have a cousin who's taller than we expected to.
10:30 And we got down to the bottom of it.
10:32 We're like, what did you do and what did I do that got us here?
10:35 And the only thing that we came up with was strawberry milk and
10:39 dinosaur chicken nuggets.
10:41 So might be onto something with that, I don't know.
10:44 >> You can tell your kids right now.
10:46 >> Yeah.
10:46 >> How close did you, you said you're throwing 90s, so
10:51 how close was baseball?
10:53 >> Yeah, I love baseball.
10:55 That's probably the one sport I still miss playing.
10:57 When I go home, I'll still play in softball leagues and do things like that, man.
11:03 I love baseball.
11:04 >> You still throw the 90s, you think?
11:07 >> Yeah, I probably lost a little.
11:08 I mean, yeah, yeah.
11:11 It's like I've gotten stronger, but I don't know.
11:13 I don't throw as much as I used to, but I can still hit the ball.
11:17 >> How tall were you when you stopped playing baseball?
11:22 >> Probably like six, six.
11:26 >> So later on in high school then?
11:28 >> Yeah, yeah, I played in high school.
11:29 >> Is there any meaning behind the t-shirt?
11:34 >> Yeah, more than an athlete.
11:35 I guess a lot of people know me.
11:43 I'm number 24, Pat Sumnick on Mountaineer basketball.
11:47 But there's a lot more, I guess I'd say, behind the scenes.
11:51 I'm big into neuroscience and listening to TED Talks and
11:57 planning things that are a little bit bigger than sports for my life.
12:02 So I'm always trying to promote being more than just an athlete.
12:09 >> I imagine at six foot six or whatever, and
12:12 when you were throwing 90 miles an hour,
12:16 not many guys wanted to go up there against you.
12:20 >> Yeah, no.
12:22 Yeah, see, the problem was all I had was the speed.
12:27 I didn't have the change up or the curve ball or anything.
12:31 So they would throw me in as a relief, just-
12:34 >> Closer.
12:34 >> Yeah, closer, just hit them with the speed.
12:37 And as soon as they catch up on it, just take me out.
12:40 But I'll get away with what I can for as long as I can.
12:44 >> Do you have a career path you're thinking about post playing days?
12:50 >> I wouldn't necessarily say a career path.
12:55 I had to change my major this year just cuz of just so
12:58 much going on with the travel schedule and trying to figure out classes and stuff.
13:03 It's not really set up for you to be a neuroscience major and a basketball player.
13:08 But yeah, we'll figure it out.
13:12 I have kind of an idea.
13:14 I'm just really kind of big into biology and
13:18 just the human body and mind and stuff like that.
13:22 >> You were in biochemistry before, right?
13:24 >> Mm-hm. >> Okay.
13:25 >> That's why.
13:26 >> Yeah. >> That's a bold.
13:27 >> Yeah, and I started in biochem.
13:29 They're like, yeah, this has too many labs.
13:31 You won't be able to come to practice.
13:32 I was like, okay, well, what's the closest thing?
13:34 Yeah, so I've just been trying to take as much class as I can that I'm interested in.
13:39 But keeping basketball is the main thing still.
13:43 >> I said, now a day in college sports, you can play for seven years.
13:46 >> [LAUGH] >> Yeah, yeah.
13:49 >> You said you switched your major this year?
13:51 >> Yeah, so basically, I'm in something called multidisciplinary studies.
13:56 >> Okay, yeah, yeah.
13:57 >> But it allows me, I'm still taking neuroscience classes,
14:00 like philosophy of the other mind, metaphysics.
14:03 I don't know.
14:04 >> Pick what your discipline is.
14:05 >> Yeah, yeah.
14:06 So it still allows me to study the things that I'd like to.
14:09 >> Well, that said, are you amazed with what Joe Joe Harris has done,
14:14 graduating his three semesters of college?
14:17 >> Yeah, it's wild.
14:18 I had a lot of college credits coming in, but
14:21 I was nowhere near graduating as a freshman.
14:23 That's unheard of.
14:27 >> How fast was your recruitment to Robert Morris?
14:28 >> So that was kind of a crazy situation.
14:36 So I went right out of, like I said, I wasn't really highly recruited out of
14:41 high school, but when we made it to state, some schools said, hey,
14:45 if you go prep school or JUCO, we'll recruit you.
14:48 There were some D1 schools, so I'm like, okay, I'll go to a prep school,
14:51 save my year of eligibility.
14:53 And I was having a whole bunch of schools interested.
15:00 I've taken visits.
15:01 I visited DePaul, I was supposed to visit Virginia Tech.
15:05 I had some bigger schools or whatever.
15:08 And I'm like, okay, I'm gonna go to a high major school.
15:13 I started telling all the mid-majors no.
15:14 Ended up COVID hit.
15:19 We never got to finish our season.
15:21 And then the schools are like, yeah, COVID will be gone in a month.
15:25 You'll just take the visit after.
15:27 Obviously, that didn't happen.
15:29 Ended up losing all of the big schools that I thought that I was gonna end up
15:33 going to.
15:34 Robert Morris is one of the ones that were still reaching out constantly to see what
15:39 I was doing.
15:40 And that's kind of just how I ended up there.
15:43 I never took a visit, never really planned on it.
15:46 It was just really kind of a COVID situation.
15:51 >> And then, I'm trying to sign here really early, right?
15:54 Before the start of the season almost.
15:55 >> Yeah, yeah.
15:56 So as soon as I got out of Robert Morris, I had a lot of interest still.
16:03 Just people had seen me at prep school.
16:06 And then also, I played in the Juco All-American camp in the summer.
16:11 That was in August.
16:12 And Coach Huggs and Larry were there.
16:15 And were really impressed with how I played against all of the top guys there.
16:20 I got into the final game.
16:23 They take the top 20 recruits out of it.
16:25 I was in that, ended up playing well in that.
16:28 So I had gotten some serious interests in August already.
16:34 So yeah, basically by the time I committed to try and
16:39 I already knew where I was going for the following year.
16:41 >> Do your parents still live in the Green Bay area?
16:47 >> Yep, yep, still up in Green Bay, same house.
16:50 >> What's the temperature right now?
16:52 >> They got a lot of snow, I'll say that.
16:55 I'm glad we're holding out on the snow here.
16:58 Don't miss it.
16:59 >> I think it's already worse up there.
17:03 >> Yeah, I'm glad I'm in the mountains.
17:07 >> [LAUGH] >> Thanks, man.