Notes from the Event tonight:
David Green had an awkward landing on a layup. He tweaked his knee and had significant swelling after the landing. David is on the road to recovery so it is good that we have a bye week. We will see where we are at Friday or Saturday. David has not practiced this week yet. Hopefully he gets on the court Friday (tomorrow).
David had actually planned on having a knee procedure during the offseason after he learned that his wavier had been rejected but then plans changed when eligibility was granted and the knee procedure was put off.
Always Wright had a shoulder issue, a muscular deal, some pinching going on in his shoulder that has worked its way down into his arm. He has been off for 12 days now with no practice. We need another ball handler, need more quickness in our backcourt. Hopefully we can get Always back during the next 3 weeks. Lot of pressure on Luis to play almost the entire game now.
For the George Washington game, David was sick all week, made the decision not to travel which was a wise move. Zek was a much more aggressive practice player. He knew he had to be aggressive vs GW and he knew he was not coming out. Zek was the best player on the floor vs GW.
When we play smaller we tend to stand around too much. We need to work on that.
Forcing turnovers and getting more steals has been an improvement the last 3 games. Better defense to offense last 3 games.
Poor last 3 minutes of the 1st half vs UMASS and a terrible start to the 2nd half vs UMASS. Miller brought up blocking out on the foul line vs UMASS as an opportunity..
Not sure there is a more physical team in college basketball right now than Loyola Chicago.
David has really helped the 3 point shooting. Having David out there instead of Fuchs and Brown at the same time has improved the 3 point game as he gives another 3 point shooter on the floor.
Cam Estevez - since Always has gone out now Cam becomes the 2nd ball handler. Need to have Cam available in case Kortright goes out. He has not really been demoted, it's just different with Wright out. Miller thinks Cam is due for a blow out game. Very few freshmen in this league are getting to play, it's mostly older players on the floor. Fuchs is getting asked to guard the other team's 25 year old big men. Fuchs and Estevez are playing a lot and there are probably not 5 other freshmen in the A10 playing more minutes than these 2 freshmen.
Loyola has really bought in on the defensive end. Strength in the older guys. Sheldon Edwards has really come on. Watson has added a real physical piece. Loyola is grabbing, holding, shoving - playing a very physical type game. Have to be ready for physical game both offensively and defensively.
A10 is far deeper, much better than a year ago. Less separation between teams. VCU, Loyola and Richmond have really found it in league play.
There are probably 8 teams that could win the A10 Tournament. There are teams that if they can win their 1st game in the A10 Tournament that could potentially go a long way.
Thinks we have plenty of basketball ahead of us. We are trying to put this team on track to win some games come tournament time.
Zek Interview
Did not start playing organized basketball until he was 14. His birthday is September 30 (same day as Steve
)
Zek says he likes to play for his family name. He is the first in his family to play D1 basketball. Zek is the oldest of 7 children. Zek played QB, Wide Receiver and some running back too. He thinks he could have been college good if he had stuck with it.
Zek, mom and Uncle made the decision to move him from Louisville to St Louis because of Covid. Did not think things were going to start back up in Louisville. Went to St Louis by himself to play basketball and it was a hard move.
Kenny Johnson used to coach him in High School. Zek wanted to move to the A10 to play at a higher level and at a faster pace.
He had a couple of injuries and with DG coming back it was an adjustment.
Already knew what he had to do with DG out for the GW game.
Zek describes himself as a Big Guard as opposed to a Small Forward.
In his eyes he believes this team can win the league.
If one thing he can improve on and bring to this team moving forward he said was to improve his defense. He wants to be stronger on transition defense, the first 7 seconds the other team has the ball.
Last time he had 30 points was when he was playing in St Louis.
Hometown Questions from Steve:
1. Most famous athlete from Louisville? Rajon Rondo.......... Steve said Mohammed Ali. Zek has met Rondo.
2. Where is Kentucky Derby Run? ..........Churchill Downs
3. Current NFL MVP who played at Louisville? Lamar Jackson
) for me at one of them. So, just trying to figure out why, last night, I'd go there, deal with (yogi berra pun 
