They Said It: Rhodes College Postgame
Samford Scoop got the chance to talk with Samford head coach Bucky McMillan, Collin Holloway, and Trey Fort following the 108-52 win over Mississippi College.
Q: You made a change in the starting lineup putting Jaden Brownell in place of Riley Allenspach. What went into that decision as you try to figure out your rotation with those two then Larry Olayinka too?
Bucky McMillan: “We have three good guys that can all play that position. Sometimes it is going to be someone’s night then maybe the other person’s night. Sometimes it’s about which guy fits better in which group. So we’re just trying different things, different lineups. It may not be the lineup that we go with the whole season and it could change game to game just kind of until we fill out what the best rotations for our team are.”
Q: You are going on the road in a tough environment on Friday night, what can you expect and what is something from these first three games that can carry over?
McMillan: “The Cornell game we learned a lot from, they’re a good team obviously and they brought back 8 returners. It’s about how tight you have to be. All of those games come down to one, two, or three points. What makes up for that? That is what I always talk about. How can you make up for that? A loose ball tip in, getting on the floor, getting to a loose ball, back tipping so they don’t get a layup. How can you hurt the team? Well I forgot to block out. I didn’t step in on the shooter on a free throw rebounding and they got the rebound and they scored. Turned the ball over, didn’t remember the play we were going to score on.”
“I think in a hostile environment that biggest thing that you can focus on every play is, what is my responsibility? That's it. What am I supposed to do every single play, defensively and offensively. For us every play, we need to take out the noise in those games coming up when we go on the road. There can’t be noise, there can't be focusing on hey let’s just win. It has to focus on every play.”
Q: For both of you guys, I know it’s only been three games in but what is it like playing in this system, sharing the basketball, and how do you expect to grow as the season goes?
Collin Holloway: “Good, I am enjoying it, it is definitely a different game. Bucky ball is real, conditioning-wise, shooting-wise, defense, I mean everything. I am looking forward to it, I’m enjoying it. I’m in a lot more better shape, getting my shot a lot better. Just looking forward to being a better player, being one of the leaders on this team.”
Trey Fort: “For me, I have also been enjoying it. Coming into a different environment, for the better I say, just being able to come around these guys and play as one. Like he said, Bucky ball is different which I have been adjusting to. It has been a success so far and good as a team, all around. Today I hit my shots which will happen as I adjust, but we have been doing good for sure.”
Q: In the offseason, Bucky told us that you will have to adjust to a different role than what you had before. How has that adjustment been so far?
Holloway: For sure. This is my first time in college being the top dude. I mean game wise nothing has really changed, I feel like I play the right way every time. I shoot it when I got to, pass the ball when I got to. I think the biggest difference like Bucky said, is my three-point shot getting, that better. I have no problem finding my teammates. It’s a little different. You are the top of the scouting report on games and stuff like that but I have been enjoying it.
Samford is back in action on Friday night at North Alabama before being back at home on Sunday against Texas Southern.
