In a media release, TU head coach Frank Haith discusses the Hurricane's preseason practices:
“These first practices have been really good,” head coach Frank Haith said. “One way to tell that you have a deep team is that we’ve seen different guys that have great days. It's been really good. What's been a big takeaway from practice is that we have a group that wants to work and they're competitive. You always have a chance when you have those kinds of characteristics with your team.”
After opening official fall practices on Sept. 25, the team has gone through 10 practices in addition to a scrimmage last Saturday.
"We've got a number of guys that can score and have a big night at any time,” Haith said. “A big night is 25-30 points and we've got five or six guys who can have a night like that. We share the ball really well. This group understands that if they play within the system, share the basketball and trust each other that they can have good offensive production."
Senior point guard Sterling Taplin and fellow senior DaQuan Jeffries have played a big part in the offense’s early success. Both have shown the ability to score along with setting up teammates for open looks and high-percentage shots.
“They (DaQuan and Sterling) had a great day today,” Haith said. “If you came and watched today, they looked like all-conference guys. We need them to play like that and be consistent with it. DaQuan is someone who I've challenged to be more aggressive on the offensive end. He's a good free-throw shooter and needs to get to the line more. He understands that, and he can also shoot the ball really well.
"We've seen Sterling have big moments throughout his three years here. It's all about consistency with him. He's in good shape, he understands he can always drive and get to the hoop, but the feel for the game he has right now is at such a high level. I've challenged him to want to have an unbelievable assist-to-turnover ratio and that's going to be important for him to take care of the ball."
In addition to the play of his veterans, Haith had high praise for newcomers Simon Falokun and Zeke Moore, who also showed great energy and scoring ability on Monday. Falokun also showed off his ability to protect the rim, coming from the weak side on a few plays for a block.
"Those guys have really been impressive,” Haith said. “That's not to say our other new guys like Chris (Barnes) and Peter (Hewitt) haven't had good moments, because they have. But Simon and Zeke have been consistent and definitely have played really good basketball thus far."
Fans can get their first look at the 2018-19 squad as the team will hold an open scrimmage starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, prior to the 6 p.m. football game at H.A. Chapman Stadium.
“These first practices have been really good,” head coach Frank Haith said. “One way to tell that you have a deep team is that we’ve seen different guys that have great days. It's been really good. What's been a big takeaway from practice is that we have a group that wants to work and they're competitive. You always have a chance when you have those kinds of characteristics with your team.”
After opening official fall practices on Sept. 25, the team has gone through 10 practices in addition to a scrimmage last Saturday.
"We've got a number of guys that can score and have a big night at any time,” Haith said. “A big night is 25-30 points and we've got five or six guys who can have a night like that. We share the ball really well. This group understands that if they play within the system, share the basketball and trust each other that they can have good offensive production."
Senior point guard Sterling Taplin and fellow senior DaQuan Jeffries have played a big part in the offense’s early success. Both have shown the ability to score along with setting up teammates for open looks and high-percentage shots.
“They (DaQuan and Sterling) had a great day today,” Haith said. “If you came and watched today, they looked like all-conference guys. We need them to play like that and be consistent with it. DaQuan is someone who I've challenged to be more aggressive on the offensive end. He's a good free-throw shooter and needs to get to the line more. He understands that, and he can also shoot the ball really well.
"We've seen Sterling have big moments throughout his three years here. It's all about consistency with him. He's in good shape, he understands he can always drive and get to the hoop, but the feel for the game he has right now is at such a high level. I've challenged him to want to have an unbelievable assist-to-turnover ratio and that's going to be important for him to take care of the ball."
In addition to the play of his veterans, Haith had high praise for newcomers Simon Falokun and Zeke Moore, who also showed great energy and scoring ability on Monday. Falokun also showed off his ability to protect the rim, coming from the weak side on a few plays for a block.
"Those guys have really been impressive,” Haith said. “That's not to say our other new guys like Chris (Barnes) and Peter (Hewitt) haven't had good moments, because they have. But Simon and Zeke have been consistent and definitely have played really good basketball thus far."
Fans can get their first look at the 2018-19 squad as the team will hold an open scrimmage starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, prior to the 6 p.m. football game at H.A. Chapman Stadium.
