ForumsThis edition of the VN Interview has us catching up with Trap favorite Andy Kennedy. Thanks to Joey Jones, as good an SID as there is in college basketball, for his help in coordinating the interview. Without further delay let’s get started.
VN-Have the rehabilitations of all the players who suffered injuries in the last year gone as well as you would hope?
Kennedy-Everybody’s been in good shape, physically, for awhile with the exception of Trevor (Gaskins) who had the one setback on his other knee, but he’s still been back for over three weeks now. Everyone’s progressing well.
VN-How much do you think the opportunity to play internationally this summer has benefited Terrico White?
Kennedy-To have the opportunity to play in a different role against really good players in a foreign country, and have the chance to represent your country, has done wonders for his psyche and his confidence. He’s been tremendous. I think the trip helped him mature and continue to understand the intensity and the dedication it takes in every drill, every practice, every game, to be successful at the highest level.
VN-What are your thoughts on your nonconference schedule for ‘09-’10?
Kennedy-We feel like we have a really good nonconference schedule that is going to prepare us for the rigors of SEC play. We have the possibility of playing both Villanova and West Virginia, who many people think are the top two teams in the Big East this year. We’re excited to go back to Southaven and play UTEP. We had tremendous support from the people in that community last time we were there. It’s been a long time since Southern Miss came into our building, and that should be a tremendous game as well.
VN-How important is it for the SEC as a whole to bounce back from what was widely perceived as a poor ‘08-’09?
Kennedy-I think last year, our situation notwithstanding, the youth of the league hurt it overall, hurt the balance, and as a result it showed with the lack of acknowledgement in the postseason. With almost all of the top players from every team coming back, I see the SEC as a six bid league again with as many as eight to ten teams competing for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Our league is in a good position to compete at a very high level this year.
VN-Do you think the new ESPN contract will help league teams in recruiting by getting more games on the national airwaves?
Kennedy-I think the ESPN contract is great for this league and will benefit our team and each SEC program with the amount of increased exposure it will bring. I actually think this could be one of the most important things to ever happen for basketball in the SEC.
VN-Which player do you expect to take on a more significant role than they played in ‘08-’09?
Kennedy-With three of our kep players injured for most or all of last season, I think we will see several guys take on more significant roles, most especially Chris Warren, Eneil Polynice, and Trevor Gaskins. They have all proven that they can perform at a high level in the SEC in years past. People may not realize how good of a player Gaskins is, and he is undoubtedly the emotional leader of our team, which we sorely missed last year.
VN-Do you have any comments on the calls by some coaches to reduce or eliminate the July evaluation period for recruiting?
Kennedy-In general, I am in favor of being able to spend more time looking at potential players, not less. There could be some tweaking in the recruiting process, though, I admit.
VN-How is the practice facility project at Ole Miss progressing?
Kennedy-The practice facility is coming along well. It’s my understanding that the construction company will be finished in late November and we should move in and make it our new home sometime in December. We’re excited about it. First and foremost, it will allow us to do our jobs more efficiently and eliminate many of the logistical issues as it relates to practice times and class schedules and the conflicts that those thing present when you have to with the women’s program that has the same issues. It also is going to make a statement as it relates to the commitment to giving our student-athletes everything needed to be successful at the highest level. We’re committed to winning championships here. That’s our goal, each and every year. I think this practice facility is going to make a statement not only to the kids that are on our team, but to prospective student-athletes that we’re committed to providing everything necessary to enable you to compete for championships at Ole Miss.
VN-Which SEC teams do you expect to see contending for the league title this season?
Kennedy-I think there are a number of teams that can compete for the league title. I see eight to 10 teams with the opportunity to play themselves into the postseason, and I think we’ll be right in the middle of that.
I hope you enjoyed this installment of the VN Interview. There are more on the way.
