BATON ROUGE — Undefeated through seven games this fall, LSU head coach Trent Johnson spoke to the local media on Monday as his Tigers prepare to face Nicholls State on Wednesday before traveling to Houston to face Texas A&M on Friday.
Use the links to the right of the photo to listen to the interviews for free in the Geaux Zone.
LSU HEAD COACH TRENT JOHNSON
Opening statement…
“We had a spirited workout. I think the guys are relieved that finals are over. It’s the holiday season. We’ve got a bunch of games in front of us, and we’re looking forward to concentrating on just basketball.”
On if he was pleased when he looked over the Grambling tape…
“For the most part, games like that are easy to take steps backwards, and for the most part, we continued to get better in certain phases but most importantly after a three-day layoff, to come out with the same level of intensity and try to sustain it with no drop off once guys are put into the game. You have to be pleased with that.”
On Nicholls State…
“They return a lot of guys. They run a version of the Princeton offense where they really spread you and back cut you. They’re really disciplined. They shoot the ball from the perimeter very well. For me, I liken this game similarly to a Centenary (team). I think this is a basketball team that if we don’t play well, they’re very capable. I know to some people that might seem like, ?Well, how can that happen?’ This is a basketball team that is not going to beat themselves. I believe they play tonight against Dillard if I’m not mistaken. They will probably be coming in with a four- or five-game winning streak, so they are playing with a level of confidence. It’s the same old story for us. We need to concentrate on ourselves and continue to try and get better at the things we are doing.”
On Terry Martin‘s performance against Grambling State…
“He shot the ball well. He shot the ball in rhythm. Again, there were a lot of uncontested shots, but anytime a kid steps up and goes 6-for-7, it’s good. I’m happy for Terry (Martin) because percentages are everything. He’s a shooter and a scorer, and he’s streaky. I’m happy the ball went in for him. Again, as much as us coaches like to talk about not letting your offense dictate how well you play, let your defense dictate that, a lot of guys let their offense dictate how well they play because that’s the fun part. He’s doing a good job right now.”
On his first conversation with Marcus Thornton…
“Marcus and this whole group in general have been very receptive to what I’ve asked them to do and what we’ve asked them to do. When I looked at tape on Marcus (Thornton), I saw that this kid was very talented and very capable. We wanted him to cut harder, take better shots on the offensive side of the basketball and defensively, exert some energy because I think he has a chance to be a very complete basketball player and make his teammates better. Marcus is a guy where his body language doesn’t always speak volumes to the kind of character and the kind of kid he is. He gives you that look like he’s not listening, but he’s always listening. Bo (Spencer) is a lot like that too. Both of those guys listen and have a very good basketball I.Q. From Marcus’ standpoint, that’s what it was. Like all the guys, we needed to say, ?Hey, look. For us to get this thing turned around and for you guys to have the level of success that you want as opposed to what I want or what the coaches want, you’re going to have to do certain things.’ So far, early in the season, we’ve done a decent job.”
On any areas that stick out that they can improve in…
“We, players and coaches alike and me as the head coach, will be able to have a better feel and a better answer for that once we get tested in crucial parts of the game and all throughout the game. I have a pretty good feel for these guys in terms of I think they are going to go out and compete at a high level and try to execute, but until you meet somebody where you’re challenged or where you have some adversity, it’s hard to answer that. If I knew the answer right away, I wouldn’t practice.”
LSU GUARD MARCUS THORNTON
On his first conversation with Coach Johnson…
“Basically, he told me about the transition. There might be some adversity that sets in, but as a team, we get together, and we can overcome anything. We had numerous conversations about the same thing. He told me he was going to come in and bring his system in, and if we buy into it, we’ll win games. It’s been helping.”
On how his system has meshed with his game…
“Plain and simple, you run it and get open shots and open looks, and you get your teammates involved. As a team that’s what you need to win games ? play team ball together.”
On exerting more energy this year on defense…
“It’s my senior year. He (Coach Johnson) prides himself on defense, so I just try to sell out to what he’s saying and do everything possible to help him win and help my team win. My team needed me to play more defense, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
LSU FORWARD GARRETT TEMPLE
On Nicholls State…
“Nicholls State has a very different type of offense than we’ve seen these past seven games. They are a very polished team. They’re very well coached. They run what they run very well, and they use your aggressiveness and athleticism on defense to their advantage. They have a lot of counters if guys help a little too much or if they overplay. It’ll have to be a straight-up game defensively, and it’s going to be a team defensive game.”
On Marcus Thornton…
“Defensively, it’s been in him because he’s so physically gifted, quick and strong. I believe he can be the best defender in the Southeastern Conference. It just took Coach Johnson to get it out of him. Like he said, it’s his senior year, so he’s thinking just like I’m thinking or every other senior is thinking. This is the last year for us, and we have a good chance of winning. These last seven games, defense has been our staple, and we’ve won them. It’s been good to take Coach Johnson’s advice. In the classroom, we talked about his grades the other day, and it’s just nice knowing that he’s on the right track. He probably has as good a chance as any guy to be in the NBA, but he also realizes that basketball is going to come an end. He’s going to have a degree to fall back on that people will be proud of. I’ve seen a lot of maturity in this short period of time from last year until now.”