Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
"You've gotta feel like you're working with a good nucleus of guys." - a Q&A with Nick McDevitt
10/14/2021 11:41:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Blue Raiders HC highlights who’s stood out through the offseason, and reviews some early storylines
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Practice continues in the Murphy Center ahead of the Blue Raiders' opening game on November 9 against Brescia University, and head coach Nick McDevitt is continuing to work on his team's play style ahead of the season.
GoBlueRaiders.com caught up with the Middle Tennessee head coach after a practice focused on the coach's trademark pressing defense, and reviewed the Blue Raiders' progress through the offseason, some outstanding new additions to his roster, and the slow move back to normalcy for the 2021-22 season.
Thinking back to those Blue Raider Blitzes this summer, you mentioned how nice it's been to have the whole team together all the time this season, as opposed to last year where COVID protocols forced the team to do a lot of their activities distanced from one another. Now that you're finally in official practice, how big a difference has that made early on this season?
You can see that guys like being around each, like being with each other. They like playing with each other. It's just a vast difference from last year from when we're under COVID protocols and we're not allowed to be around each other, either on or off the court. You can just see the team is starting to develop chemistry much sooner, much quicker than a year ago.What were the points of emphasis for y'all in your offseason workout period, and how successful are y'all in implementing them so far?
Well, we'll find out soon enough once the season starts if we're successful, but I do like our team's effort and their attitude. They've had a good workman approach throughout the preseason, dating all the way back to the summer. They've done a lot of the things that we've asked them to do. I just like how coachable the group is. It doesn't mean that they're always perfect, but their approach to their daily business is good.
Like the last couple of seasons, you've got a roster with a good mix of returning players and newcomers in Murfreesboro. Who are some of the returners that have stepped up heading into the season?
On the other side of the coin, who has stood out to you among the newcomers as someone who can make an impact for y'all early on this season?
I think somebody like Camryn Weston has a great feel for the game, and is a good lead combo guard. And then we've got a ton of length with our new forwards. Teafale Lenard, Isaiah Turner, Justin Bufford all bring different traits to the game, but I like the versatility that they all bring.
Your first five games, outside of the Cancun Challenge, are at home this year. What will it be like to finally have fans back in Murphy Center in full capacity?
Conference USA has returned to their standard conference schedule, after having weekends with double headers against the same team last year. How will the switch back affect things for you this season?
We'll have the ability to get back to what you're accustomed to, just having that middle day of prep, albeit with a new team. Last year playing two teams back-to-back nights, in the same arena, in front of no one, that's really why you saw some huge swings in scores in back-to-back nights. It was a very very different deal than what all the players are used to.
