Hokie ClubPrior to departing for their NIT first round matchup at Cincinnati, Virginia Tech guard Hunter Cattoor and head coach Mike Young spoke to the media via Zoom to preview the matchup with the Bearcats.
Read below for the highlights of what was said.
Guard Hunter Cattoor
On the excitement of playing another game in a Virginia Tech uniform:
"Very excited, just for another opportunity. Obviously, our goals were to make it to the NCAA tournament. That didn't happen, but we're grateful to be in the NIT and have another opportunity to play a game together."
On what stands out about Cincinnati:
"They're tough on both ends of the floor. They have guys that can score the ball pretty well. I think it will be a good matchup. We'll go [up] there today, get a practice in, then we'll be excited to play them tomorrow."
On how motivated the team is to play in the NIT:
"I think it's just another opportunity to play basketball. All of us over here love to play, love playing with each other, so I think we're locked in. Personally, I'm locked in and excited [for the opportunity] to go to Cincinnati and win a basketball game."
On the benefits of playing postseason basketball, particularly for the younger players:
"Hopefully, it will be good for them. Just getting more games under their belt, getting more experience and having that pressure of it's win or go home now. We kind of had that feeling last week in Greensboro [for the ACC tournament], but now it's for real. Once you lose this game, the season is over. It's survive and advance."
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Head Coach Mike Young
On where he feels his team is going into the NIT:
"I think we're in good shape. We're playing in the National Invitation Tournament. [Another] chance to compete again. We got back [from the ACC tournament] last Thursday, we took a couple days off, we came back Saturday and practiced well, and [now] we're getting ready to head off to Cincinnati, so we look forward to getting up there and competing against the Bearcats."
On the characteristics of Wes Miller's teams and the history he has with his former SoCon counterpart:
"They're diiferent than [the way] he played at [UNC] Greensboro. He's a really good coach. I don't know how many times our teams played one another, but it was a lot. It went back and forth. We had some great basketball games. I could name several off the top of my head. There was always a healthy amount of respect for him as a person and how his teams play. With the exception of tomorrow night, I'm pulling for him. I think a lot of Wes and his abilities. He's very, very good."
On what stands out to him with Cincinnati:
"Their guard play is good. I really like [David] DeJulius. They've got some kids who can shoot the ball. They average nine made threes a game. Typical of Wes' teams, they will guard you. They present some real issues, but we see some things that we feel good about, so let's get on up there, get settled in and find a way to play well tomorrow."
On the keys to winning a postseason tournament like the NIT:
"The old adage, survive and advance. I don't think you can pinpoint [one key], other than playing good basketball. Everybody goes into it with the realization that we [need to] hang in there, find a way to win or it's over. I could sell a lot of books if I had the answer to that. Playing good basketball, defending and not giving up easy baskets would be a few things that come to mind."
Gallery: (3-14-2023) MBB: Practice at Cincinnati