Quotes from Trent Lockett as season opens, new responsibilities
Some quotes from Trent Lockett as the men's basketball season gets started. A reminder the team will have open scrimmage at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
ON BEING A YOUNG LEADER
"That's a great feeling. It's something that I have taken on my shoulders. I think that with a lot of new guys coming in, it's coming on us and the older guys to show them how it's done and how to win games in the PAC-12."
ON PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTS
"In off-season, I have really tried to work on my outside shot and my ball handling. Basketball is such a mental game and I've really tried to improve myself mentally for the most part."
ON MENTAL IMPROVEMENTS
"I work with a sports psychologist. He tries to help me with any problem I come to him with. He just gives me pointers to focus on when I'm playing. He's a great guy."
ON SEEING A SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST
"I started seeing him early last season. I think I've definitely evolved in a lot of mental areas in my game from freshman and sophomore year. I look forward to continue improving this year. He is kind of on-call whenever I have a question or a problem. I just take it to him and he's always there to help me with it and to talk through it, basically."
ON Jahii Carson'S PLAYING STATUS
"That's something that we can't worry about. It's kind of out of our hands. The NCAA is taking their time with that. But, right now, all we can work on is getting ready for the season. When the time comes, we'll definitely take it in stride and we'll be ready to have him as a part of our team, no doubts."
ON LAST SEASON'S LESSONS LEARNED
"Last season was definitely tough to swallow. I've never really been through anything quite similar to that, but one thing that it did provide was great motivation this off-season. Guys were working really hard. We're just looking forward to our hard work paying off coming up this Friday in practice."
ON BEING "UNDER THE RADAR"
"We finished last in the PAC-10, so the only way to go is up. We've been working hard and we're really just looking forward to starting new this year."
ON LEADERSHIP
"Just being vocal, and if you see them struggling in an area, helping them out. Explaining to them why this happens and why Coach explained it this way rather than that way. Just helping them through your experiences and showing them the way."
ON OFFENSE
"It's still in its beginning stages. Obviously, we haven't even started practice yet. But, I think he's tailoring it a little different to our personnel. We lost quite a few shooters last year and gained a few more penetrators and slashers. So, I think he's tailoring it a little bit different to our personnel, like I said, and we'll see more as it evolves as practice starts."
ON Chris Colvin
"Chris has surprised me, actually. Coming in, I like his mentality and he has impressed me with what he can do with the ball. I think Chris will surprise just as many fans this year, and he'll have a good season."
ON DEFENSE
"The coaches have done a great job of instilling a defensive mentality this year. Usually, all our skills are offensive. But, the majority of them this year were defense. I think the main points are just the fundamentals. Coach is really harping the fundamentals this year as far as closeouts and big steps. When it comes down to it, that's all you can rely on."
"Carrick is a great guy. He's always bringing positive energy to the team. I think having that first year under his belt is definitely going to help him as well as help our team this year."
ON FELIX'S ILLNESS LAST YEAR
"It's hard for anybody to miss games, especially in the PAC-12 season. With it being his first season, I think it may have hurt him even more. But, he has had a great off-season and we're looking forward to what he can do for us this year."
ON BEING BETTER THAN LAST YEAR
"We're definitely looking forward to starting this season and kind of starting new - new jerseys and the football team is doing outstanding this year and they're setting the tone. So, we're definitely looking forward to following in their footsteps."
ON RETURNING PLAYERS
"Everybody has improved in their own way. Chanse Creekmur has really impressed me. He was a great shooter last year, but he is really putting the ball in the basket now. He has gotten leaned out a little bit, gotten stronger. I could go down the line. Everybody is really putting their work in in the weight room and conditioning wise. So, I'm really looking forward to the season and seeing what everybody does."
"I think Chanse is pretty versatile. Rick was a great player. It's hard to compare him to Rick. But, Chanse can get in there and mix it up. He is actually working on his ball handling. He's penetrating a lot better this year. Just like Rick, he can put the ball in the basket."
ON LAST SEASON'S PERSONAL EFFECTS
"That was not fun. Like I said, I've never really been through anything like that. We really just couldn't get the ball going our way. It provided great motivation this off-season. Anytime you didn't feel like working out, all you had to do was think about last year and it provided plenty of motivation."
ON Keala King
"Keala is a great teammate. He's always going to be there for you. He always brings a positive attitude to weights, conditioning, or anything we do. On the court, he's a big point guard. He can really change the game in that way."
ON PERSONAL GOALS
"Win! That's the biggest goal. I'm just trying to help the team any way that I can. I have been here two years, so I give some of these young guys a piece of my mind and hopefully help them out along the way. The biggest thing we have to do this year is win."
ON BEING Trent Lockett
"I'm never going to give up. Regardless of what happens, if we go on a 20 to 0 run, we are not going to give up. We are trying to instill that in our team right now."
ON BEING A ROLE MODEL
"I like to say that I'm a hard-worker. I pride myself in doing the right thing. So, if guys are following in my footsteps, I guess I can say that it wouldn't be bad. I think that everybody on our team is a good guy and they do the right thing. So, that's not a problem at all."