Mark Gottfried’s Media Day Presser: Cliff Notes

You can watch NC State head coach Mark Gottfried’s press conference from yesterday on GoPack, or you can read some of the key quotes below.

In regards to the eligibility of Omer Yurtseven and Ted Kapita…

Not much to report at this point. Hopefully we will learn something soon. Participated in every workout and has integrated with the team very well.

Gottfried mentioned with the addition of two new coaches, that they have been working on some new schemes to be integrated into what they do.

On Maverick Rowan…

I thought Maverick had a phenomenal freshman year. People forget he was supposed to be a high school senior. Maverick has grown an inch or two since he arrived on campus. He’s 6’7″ or 6’8″ now. We could run him some as a stretch 4 this year, and run three perimeter guys with him out there.

On Dennis Smith Jr…

I think Dennis smith is the best guard in the country. Period. Hands down. I believe that. I think Dennis legitimately and realistically, with a great year, could be the #1 pick in the draft. I have gone all over the planet, and when I say I coach at NC State, people ask me about Dennis Smith. He likes that and likes the challenge. No one needs to hype him. It’s just who he is. I’m going to make him work every day, and there have been a few days he’s been grumpy with me, and that’s fine.

On Torin Dorn…

He’s just such a great young guy. Versatile and plays different positions. Type of player every coach wants on his team.

On Lennard Freeman…

I would say with Lennard I’m pretty committed to redshirting him.

On BeeJay Anya weighing 344 pounds…

That was his weight day a couple of weeks ago. It is what it is. We’ll have to do the best job we can with it.

On Malik Abu…

Abu has tried to step forward as a leader. He needs to become a more consistent scorer for us, whether it’s 14-18 points a night. I think he’s capable of that. I think his shooting has improved. I think his ability to score around the basket had improved. Using both hands. We are going to try to put him in situations to have one on one opportunities. Even shoot from the perimeter to keep his defenders honest.

On the weak non-conference schedule…

I like to play an aggressive November and Decwmber schedule, and we missed on some opportunities this year. When our roster was unsure back in March, we weren’t sure what to do. Then as some things settled, we came back later and we couldn’t get any of the games anymore. Everyone was trying to schedule us, and then no one was. It wasn’t for a lack of effort.