Coach Chris Mullin...
On the team's growth over the past year:
"The talent level has improved tremendously. Our focus has been on practice, daily improvement and working together. The biggest advantage has been the guys who returned who [know what we're loooking to do within our system]. That experience is invaluable."
On the ability to play different lineups:
"One of the biggest advantages we will have this year is being able to play multiple lineups. We practice different lineups to see who functions well together and we've liked a lot of different combinations. We might want to force another team to play big or small and we have the ability to do that now."
On the team's attitude:
"We have a bunch of gym rats that love the game. It's fun being around guys who just had a two hour practice and after they're just shooting and hanging around the gym."
On Bashir Ahmed:
"Bashir is more of an old school player. He's a very aggressive offensive player who likes to attack the rim. He has a lot of different skills we can use, he's working hard to expand his game and he's mature physically."
On the development of Shamorie Ponds:
"Physically, [Shamorie] is probably like most kids coming out of high school. He's doing a good job working in the weight room and that will just be a natural process. I like the way he plays. He has great instincts on the court and has a natural feel for the game, both offensively and defensively."
On what Marcus LoVett adds to the team:
"He has so many different skills but probably the biggest is his speed and ball handling. He's really unselfish and meticulous in his preparation. He wants to execute and be efficient. He's had big scoring nights [in high school] but I think he likes to pass more and get his teammates involved."
On Richard Freudenberg's skill set:
"He's a really good shooter. He's going to be able to space the floor for us. As the season goes on, you will see his game expand. He can take it to the basket and he can rebound and push it. I think you'll see natural progression from him."
Sophomore Guard Federico Mussini...
On the backcourt:
"Every one of us can play both guard positions. When we play together, anyone of us can control the ball and that will allow us to run more."
On Shamorie Ponds:
"I really like his game. You can tell he's really smart. He's always ready to steal the ball and get easy points. He's a great shooter and can do a lot of different things."
On his comfort level:
"It's way higher. When you come to a new country and play on a new team, everything is new so you don't really know what to expect and how you're going to fit. I had to adapt, but this year I feel way better."
Freshman Guard Shamorie Ponds...
On his relationship with the team:
"The coaches made me feel welcome. [When I] came in here, it felt like a family environment and I got used to that. I really gelled with my teammates and we just had a bond."