Josh Eilert Umass Preview
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00:00 Thanks everyone for joining us this morning.
00:12 We are going to go ahead and get started with coach Iley.
00:23 Good morning, just wanted to recap, you know, there's a good break that we've had this week
00:37 in terms of getting our legs under us and focusing on our studies and getting through
00:42 finals.
00:43 So since last Saturday, you know, we had Sunday off, practice hard Monday, Tuesday.
00:50 We had another off day, it was a loaded day with finals.
00:53 So got those things knocked out and, you know, Thursday today, I guess we go back to work
01:00 and focus on UMass tomorrow or we'll travel out to Springfield, practice out there and
01:08 have a shoot around as well on Saturday.
01:10 So we still got two days to prep for UMass and a friendly foe, so to speak, you know,
01:19 someone I really look up to and someone I've worked with in Frank Martin, a person that,
01:25 you know, I value a lot and his friendship and his loyalty over the years and someone
01:31 I've learned from as a young GA working at Kansas State with him and our staff there
01:36 at Kansas State.
01:37 So looking forward to that matchup and excited to see him and some friendly faces there.
01:45 As concerning yesterday, you know, everyone saw the ruling that came out of the U.S. District
01:50 Court.
01:51 I'm really happy for Ray and the courage that it took for him to pursue his eligibility
01:57 status and stand up there on, you know, and testify.
02:02 So you heard me say all along that Ray should be playing basketball and I truly believe
02:07 that that's very important to him and his mental health.
02:10 And I think he's met that criteria for immediate eligibility.
02:16 And like the statement we put out yesterday said, you know, we're consulting with our
02:19 council and outside council before we make any determination on the eligibility status
02:25 of our, you know, student athletes that are affected as part of this decision.
02:29 So we're trying to get some of those questions answered.
02:34 But unfortunately, I don't have much to add outside of what we put out as a statement.
02:40 And I know I saw last night that several schools played their affected student athletes and
02:47 some had sat them out.
02:48 So we're still in limbo.
02:50 And I think there's a lot of schools out there still in limbo trying to figure out what those
02:53 answers are, get those questions they have answered.
02:56 So fortunately, we don't play till Saturday evening and we're hoping to get those answers
03:01 sooner than later.
03:04 We'll take questions.
03:05 We'll first go to Greg Hunter.
03:07 So Josh sort of doubled down on that a little bit.
03:10 So your thought right now about playing Greycon on Saturday and then obviously Noah is also
03:17 impacted on this.
03:18 Do you think that he plays this year for you guys?
03:23 You know, I don't know.
03:24 It's just needs some more clarity, more than anything, because we got to, you know, selfishly
03:29 we can sit here and think, you know, they could really, both of them could really help
03:32 us.
03:33 But we got to think about student athlete and how it affects their overall eligibility.
03:38 You know, Greycon's got one year of eligibility left.
03:41 Noah's got two.
03:42 And so those conversations will have to be had, excuse me, have to be had with those
03:47 student athletes, their families, and our department to figure out what's best for them
03:54 and as, you know, us as a whole as a program.
03:58 Josh, I understand you don't want to talk specifics on each one of their cases, but
04:07 in general, are the things that you're still seeking clarity on, are they other eligibility
04:12 issues?
04:13 Are they just how this impacts or how it could work going forward?
04:17 Obviously you just mentioned what the student athletes wishes are, and that's important
04:22 too.
04:23 But what are a couple of the other areas where you're still seeking clarity?
04:28 It's mainly the eligibility.
04:29 I mean, if we, you know, even in the 14 days we play three games, if you know, the decision
04:36 is overturned and they played during this course of the season and they lose that year
04:41 of eligibility, that doesn't seem like we made the right decision by the student athlete.
04:46 And so I want all the facts to be laid out for everybody involved before we make those
04:51 decisions.
04:52 I think that's just the right way to handle things and approach things.
04:58 Justin Johnson.
04:59 Coach, two things.
05:00 As part of the ruling yesterday, I mean, obviously the 14 days on the restraining order, the
05:12 second part was of the, I forget the name of it, where they also put a restraining order
05:21 on the NCAA's ability to basically punish schools that would play athletes during these
05:28 14 days.
05:29 Doesn't that sort of kind of cover some of the issues that you guys might be looking
05:34 at?
05:35 Yeah, and I don't think we've got 100% clarity on that as well, but indications are and reports
05:41 are that yes, the institutions are protected during the 14 day window.
05:48 But the biggest question to me is the eligibility concerns and whether that would burn a year
05:55 by playing in that 14 day window.
05:58 I see.
05:59 OK.
06:00 And the other thing is, I'm sure you got a chance to talk with Raekwon yesterday.
06:05 I mean, obviously an emotional day for him yesterday.
06:08 Can you share what his reactions were, his emotions were?
06:13 And that's a huge day for him yesterday.
06:16 It was a huge day and a huge day.
06:18 He's the face of this entire process.
06:22 And I'm really proud of him, I told him that for certain, and how he's approached this.
06:29 And he's done this with so much class and integrity.
06:32 So that was the biggest message to him.
06:36 It took a lot out of him.
06:38 It certainly took a lot out of him in his mental state.
06:43 Having that courage to go up there and testify and put himself out there, it took a lot out
06:49 of him.
06:50 I think the nerves kind of got to him and he didn't feel all that well and spent most
06:54 of the rest of the evening resting.
06:57 So I'm hearing he's feeling a lot better this morning.
07:00 I look forward to catching up with him.
07:02 And we got practice this afternoon.
07:04 So I think he'll be in the weight room here shortly working out.
07:09 So I look forward to getting down there and seeing him, giving him a big hug.
07:12 One last thing, Coach.
07:13 Kind of like you said, he's kind of become the face of this issue, which has suddenly
07:20 become a national issue now.
07:23 I mean, this is bigger than just obviously WVU in terms of the scope of the schools and
07:31 what it could mean down the line with what the NCAA does with the transfer rules and
07:36 eligibility rules.
07:38 Do you think he's comfortable being the face of something that's completely bigger than
07:44 just his eligibility issue now?
07:47 I don't think he wanted to be by any means.
07:49 I mean, this isn't the route he chose.
07:52 I was very forthright and through the whole process saying, you know, I thought this was
07:59 a, you know, open and shut case.
08:01 I thought it'd be a rubber stamp issue from the NCAA with the specifics of this particular
08:06 case.
08:08 By no means I didn't think Raekwon wanted to push this thing this far, but he's fighting
08:13 for what he believes is right.
08:16 And you know, I'm here to support him in any way he can.
08:19 Does he want that attention?
08:22 I don't think he does by any means.
08:24 But you know, I'm just really proud of him for taking it this far and doing what he thinks
08:30 is right and fighting for his rights in the court of law.
08:36 And then also being that person that can, you know, be that face that represents so
08:43 many other kids that are in the same boat.
08:46 Thank you, Coach.
08:47 Appreciate it.
08:48 Great honor.
08:49 Josh, obviously, Kerr comes back Saturday as well.
08:53 You may have Raekwon and Noah.
08:56 How are you guys different as a team?
08:59 What style is different?
09:00 And will it take a little while to sort of get everybody to meld together?
09:05 You know, they've been practicing together.
09:09 It's not like they've been sitting out.
09:11 So they practice and compete against each other each and every day.
09:14 And I switch up those rosters whenever I can to make it as competitive as possible.
09:20 So it's not like they've been sitting out and haven't been able to practice.
09:24 So I don't see that as a huge issue.
09:26 You know, from every indication of encounter I've had with all the rest of the guys, I
09:32 mean, they're ultra excited.
09:33 I mean, those guys are really close.
09:34 It's a close, you know, close-knit locker room.
09:37 So everybody cheers each other on and wants to be a part of a winning program.
09:42 And they know having depth and having our weapons, you know, at our disposal is certainly
09:48 going to help us do that.
09:50 So I don't see any issue trying to get everybody on the same page and, you know, clicking on
09:56 all cylinders.
09:57 Now, you know, in terms of getting that game day rest, I mean, it could be an issue because,
10:03 I mean, it's been, you know, they've missed nine games.
10:06 So, you know, Kerr got a chance to play a couple, you know, with our close scrimmage
10:11 and George Mason.
10:12 But Noah and Ray, if they're eligible to play, they haven't got that game time experience
10:19 for quite some time.
10:20 So that would be the only issue that I see.
10:23 But those guys, like I said, they compete each and every day in practice.
10:27 And they've been ultra competitive and ultra locked in every single day.
10:32 It's not like they're going through the motions by any means.
10:35 So I'm excited for their opportunity if that presents itself.
10:39 So if all three of those guys are playing, how different is your style from what we've
10:43 seen in the first nine?
10:44 Yeah, I think it's a lot faster.
10:46 I mean, we were really, you know, we had to, by default, had to really slow everything
10:51 down to be competitive with our lack of depth.
10:55 So, you know, we're still transitioning a cookback.
10:58 So that gives us depth that, you know, in the forward position, if we had Noah and Ray
11:03 with depth, the guards, I mean, we could, we're gonna have a lot fresher legs out there.
11:07 So I anticipate playing a lot faster than we have in this first nine games.
11:14 So and certainly it's a lot easier as a coaching staff to hold guys accountable to what they
11:18 need to be doing out there if we got people to replace them.
11:24 Hey, Josh, how are you?
11:28 Good.
11:29 How are you, Mike?
11:30 Good, man.
11:31 Um, this is kind of a strange question, but, um, are you just looking forward to practice
11:36 today?
11:37 This seems like a unique, unique day in your tenure.
11:40 It's actually good news.
11:41 It's been the opposite for a while.
11:43 And I think I see a smile on your face right now, too, which has been.
11:48 I didn't sleep all that good.
11:49 And mainly because, you know, you sit there and think through all the scenarios and try
11:54 to manage them all from a coaching perspective.
11:56 And that's a good problem to have.
11:58 So, you know, I'm cautiously optimistic, but it does give you rebirth or re life, so to
12:06 speak.
12:07 And when we sit down to coach this meeting, start thinking about the different scenarios
12:11 and options you have, it certainly puts a smile on everybody's face in the room.
12:16 And so it gives us a new life and we're excited about the possibility.
12:19 Now, like I said, cautiously optimistic, but we hope we're going in the right direction
12:24 and we have closer to what we consider a full roster.
12:30 And then just to kind of put you on the spot, if you don't mind, you're in this position
12:33 now where you can take transfers and you never know if they're going to play or not.
12:37 But if if you had a say in the matter, if you could write the rule book, how would you
12:41 handle transfers legislatively?
12:43 I personally, I mean, I think there's, you know, just like any coach can can leave at
12:49 any given time, I think it's to their discretion if they want to leave a program, I believe
12:57 they have the right to do so.
12:59 And, you know, I've said over the years, if the kids don't want to be here, you know,
13:04 it's hard to coach them.
13:05 So if they're not happy with where they're at, what's the point in trying to force the
13:09 issue?
13:10 John, I'm sorry, Mike, go ahead.
13:16 Just once they join your team, the whole eligibility matter, that's that's quite a bird's nest,
13:19 I understand.
13:20 But the year in residence has maybe competitively good things, but it can also ensnare people
13:25 for the wrong reasons, as you as you found out.
13:27 Any idea like how you would how you would handle that?
13:30 I'm sorry, what was the question?
13:32 Like, should guys be eligible to move freely?
13:34 Should they have to sit out of there?
13:35 Should there be parameters?
13:36 Should it be, you know, what's the word?
13:38 Something in capricious as it's been a while.
13:41 I don't think by any means there should be you should be able to play for two teams and
13:45 any one given year.
13:46 But from year to year, I don't see any problem, like personally, with the way guys could have
13:53 the freedom to pick up and go if they weren't happy and vice versa.
13:57 I mean, it's obviously from a coaching perspective and we we have there's no ramifications for
14:04 us picking up and going.
14:06 So I don't know why we would hold those players that a different standard.
14:15 John Lowe.
14:19 I guess that's me.
14:20 I'm curious, Josh, what what do you see from UMass?
14:24 What challenges do they present?
14:25 Well, I mean, it's the one crippling one that always stands out.
14:31 They're really good at offensive rebounding their top 10 country and.
14:36 Excuse me, a second chance point.
14:38 So we we work diligently in which we have all season, which doesn't seem to be setting
14:44 in.
14:45 So we need maybe take a different approach and we kind of have this week.
14:47 But we got we got shore up our defensive rebounding.
14:51 But they they're they're good.
14:53 They're also top 10 in the country and points off turnovers.
14:56 So they're going to turn up the heat.
14:57 I understand Frank and his approach to a lot of things in terms of defensive end.
15:03 So they are going to get up in you and try to force force the issue and make you uncomfortable
15:08 and take things away that might try to blow up your offense.
15:11 So we're very mindful of all those things and how he'll probably approach what we have
15:17 bring what we bring to the table offensively.
15:20 So yeah, this should be a battle.
15:22 I mean, you know, consequently, they turn people over and score off people's turnovers.
15:29 But they also send send people line.
15:33 I think they their opponents average 26 free throw attempts a game.
15:38 And so we've done a pretty good job of getting the line outside of that Drexel game.
15:41 That was kind of a nominally, so to speak.
15:44 So but otherwise, you know, they're sending teams the line with how aggressive they play
15:48 defensively.
15:49 So they're they're scoring off turnovers, but they're also sending people into the line.
15:54 So it's a double edged sword.
15:57 Real quick, a player or two that really concerns you for them.
16:01 Matt Cross.
16:02 They're four man, they're four and five.
16:06 They're both, you know, veteran guys, they're two seniors on the roster.
16:10 So Josh Cohen, they're five man is one of their key players.
16:14 Matt Cross is another one that's a matchup issue for us.
16:19 He doesn't shoot it extremely well.
16:21 But he's big physical 67 230 and plays a lot lower than a lot of kids.
16:29 And he can play a little bully ball and get what he needs done.
16:32 So yeah, he's averaging 16 points a game 58% from the field and 7.6 rebounds.
16:40 So that four position has been kind of an issue for us trying to figure out the right
16:46 right personnel to handle those type of guys.
16:48 So that's the issue that I see with it with Matt Cross.
16:53 Ryan Decker.
16:54 Coach, do you worry about guys like Kerr and possibly Raekwon and or Noah who are coming
17:00 back?
17:01 Do you worry about them maybe pressing a little bit, especially on the offensive end, just
17:05 trying to make up for lost time as they get back into into things?
17:09 That's certainly a conversation I'll have with all those guys, you know, don't try to
17:13 act like or feel that pressure to do anything more than the team needs you to do.
17:18 So yeah, I mean, you know, once you, you know, get checked in for the first time or that
17:26 ball tips up for the first time, it's been a long time since those guys have seen action.
17:31 I'm sure that the emotions will probably, you know, set in pretty, pretty strong.
17:36 So I'll try to have our coaching staff does a great job trying to keep everybody level
17:40 headed, we'll have those conversations with those guys and just kind of tell them to let
17:44 the game come to them.
17:45 So hopefully we have a smooth transition.
17:49 It's it's it would be, you know, in the event that it happens, it would be, you know, something
17:55 you don't see every day trying to transition three guys into a rotation all at once.
18:03 Bob Hertzel.
18:04 Yeah, Josh.
18:05 You mentioned that Raekwon was the face of this and you know, that it kind of got to
18:12 him yesterday after after testifying.
18:15 You've been the face of the university on this pretty much.
18:18 And this wasn't what you know, your first chance to coach in this.
18:21 I mean, it wasn't exactly what you were looking forward to, or probably expected in any way.
18:28 How has it affected you?
18:29 I mean, you mentioned, you know, not sleeping last night trying to think things up.
18:33 Has it has it personally affected you?
18:35 Well, I mean, yeah, I can't lie.
18:39 I mean, there's there's a lot of challenges that I've went through that has it affected
18:45 me?
18:46 Probably a little.
18:49 But I'd like I go home to a wife that's got a great head on her shoulders and puts things
18:54 in perspective.
18:55 And and so I got that going for me.
19:00 And I look at a lot of these things as a huge growth opportunity for myself as well.
19:05 You know, so many people say, you know, coaches can go a decade and not go through the type
19:10 of challenges you went through and amount of six months.
19:14 So I don't look at that that way.
19:16 I just look at it as you know, I got to take care of business in the best way possible
19:20 and represent this university the best way possible.
19:23 And my family the best way possible each and every day.
19:26 And I've been tapped with this this challenge and this opportunity.
19:32 And what I need to do is just make as good a decisions each and every day that puts us
19:37 in this position to be successful.
19:40 You've kind of you kind of I assume you knew what player relationships were like and that
19:48 coming in.
19:49 But has that grown with you the realization that that what you are to coach, especially
19:56 when you hear Raycon talk about how much he relied on Sprinkle before and what you've
20:01 had to do with him and for him?
20:02 Yeah, it's definitely taken to a new level.
20:05 I mean, it's one thing to be an assistant coach and have those relationships or support
20:10 staff and have those relationships.
20:12 But the relationship goes to a whole new level, especially when you're fighting tooth and
20:17 nail for a kid, a kid that 100 percent deserves to have the opportunity to express himself
20:24 on the floor in the name of competition.
20:27 So we've come together and it was a it was a very natural relationship from from day
20:33 one.
20:34 If we're speaking about Raycon specifically, that's not just Raycon.
20:39 I mean, I've built great relationships with each and every one of these guys on our roster.
20:43 So but Raycon situation is different and unique.
20:48 And from day one, we kind of hit it off and we had that we had our ties and our history
20:53 and how we kind of had to navigate some of those issues.
20:56 So, you know, it's you look at so many of these kids and and you care so deeply about
21:04 them and just want them to have the opportunity to be successful in life.
21:08 And at the end of the day, it's kind of like your own kids.
21:11 You just sit back and smile when everything works out well and you just soak it in.
21:16 And that was kind of the day we had yesterday.
21:18 You know, listen to his testimony and he puts himself out there and does everything he can.
21:25 And we as an institution, as a coaching staff, have fought tooth and nail to make things
21:30 right by Raycon.
21:31 So days like that are rewarding.
21:33 And you look back and just smile and hope things work out even further in his in his
21:40 way because he is an outstanding human being.
21:43 It's a pleasure to coach each and every day.
21:46 And those are the guys that you're happy to do so, you know, and stand side by side with.
21:55 John Love.
21:56 John, we're unable to hear you.
22:00 Let's get a great Gary.
22:04 Yeah, Josh, just curious how from Wednesday to Friday, how close do you monitor what some
22:13 of these other schools are doing with their transfers?
22:15 I believe you and LV played one last night.
22:18 And how does that impact in the decision leading into Saturday?
22:21 Well, every every situation is different.
22:25 You might have had that conversation and understood the risks associated with that conversation.
22:33 They chose to do so.
22:34 So I'm not going to make a rash decision that will affect a kid's future by any means without
22:41 knowing all the facts and details.
22:44 So there has been a lot of phone calls and late night calls with with coaches that understand
22:50 that we're at the forefront of this, this this battle with, you know, with Rayquan.
22:56 So they've called and asked our advice.
22:59 And that's, you know, we're all kind of in the same boat.
23:03 We don't really have answers.
23:04 So they want to know what we we are going to do.
23:07 But, you know, from an institutional standpoint and from a coaching staff standpoint, we're
23:11 going to we're going to do right by understand the facts of the situation before we make
23:16 a crazy decision.
23:17 Justin.
23:18 Hey, coach, I'm assuming you were up in Wheeling yesterday.
23:25 I was not.
23:27 Okay.
23:28 Well, this might be kind of an unfair question, then.
23:32 Did you find during Rayquan's testimony?
23:36 Did you find it odd at all that very few of the questions that were asked of him were
23:40 about mental health?
23:43 It's that it seemed to be more about NIL driven.
23:49 The questions asked to him by the NCAA lawyers.
23:51 Yeah, I don't want to you know, I don't know where they're going with all this.
23:57 It did seem to stray a little bit from his file and reason why he should or should not
24:02 be eligible.
24:03 But, you know, I don't know if that's a great representation of what the NCAA and what their
24:09 thought process is.
24:10 So I'm going to take all that with a grain of salt.
24:14 And, you know, I thought that Ray did a great job handling himself up there and composed
24:20 himself well.
24:21 And that ain't easy for for anyone, let alone a 20 year old, you know.
24:27 So you know, just like I said, I was proud of him for fighting for his rights.
24:32 And that's where I asked the second question kind of jokingly.
24:38 But isn't the depth on your scout team hasn't hasn't it just been destroyed?
24:45 Basically we got two rotations as a coach.
24:49 You kind of want to have everything you just every time you guard their stuff, you got
24:53 to flip off into defense and you got to scout team.
24:57 So that's kind of the way it's supposed to work.
25:00 But we're getting closer to that point as we speak.
25:05 And then one last thing, Kerr, what's he been like this week?
25:08 I mean, obviously, I know it's finals week.
25:11 So I mean, has this been kind of a with that in mind, has it been kind of a rough week
25:15 for him to transition into becoming a player now?
25:21 I don't see that.
25:22 I mean, I think he's turned up a notch.
25:26 He understands that it's coming.
25:28 And not that he didn't compete each and every day, but you can see it in his eyes that he's
25:34 going to be able to compete under the lights now.
25:37 So he's excited.
25:38 He's excited to run the show.
25:42 And it's what we brought him in here to do.
25:44 So I think everybody's just holding their breath waiting to get this Saturday so we
25:50 can throw that ball in the air and get everybody out there competing.
25:55 Is it fair to say that the Kerr that you have out there on Saturday is the Kerr you want
26:02 or the Kerr that you anticipated?
26:06 I don't know what his game legs are going to be like.
26:10 It's just it's different than a cook.
26:11 A cook had to sit out a number of weeks and we had to kind of transition him back.
26:17 So Kerr's practice each and every day, but he has missed those game reps, which game
26:21 reps and practice reps, especially when you're playing every second or third day, can be
26:25 a lot different.
26:26 But he's got he's done all that extra work, you know, working on his game and makes up
26:32 all that mileage that he misses in the games by working with our strength and conditioning
26:37 coach each and every day to shore all that up.
26:39 So I don't anticipate him having too much of a problem transition.
26:42 OK, thank you, coach.
26:44 Appreciate it.
26:45 If there are no further questions, we will end with Mike Casasa.
26:51 Josh, I just want to make sure I have all this straight.
26:53 Have you have you asked the NCAA?
26:56 We're like concrete black and white.
26:58 What happens if or are you just waiting for them to give you an edict?
27:02 Like how does this go right now?
27:03 I understand like what you want to hear, but like have you asked them or you just waiting
27:06 on them or is even that there's a there's a lot of schools have asked the exact question.
27:11 So I don't want to say I anticipate today, but I would.
27:17 I think it would be shameful if we didn't hear by today or tomorrow some exact clarification
27:22 because there are a lot of people that are affected as part of this room.
27:27 Alright, thanks.
27:28 Thanks everyone for calling in.
27:32 Appreciate it.
27:32 [ Silence ]