QA
Coaches’ buzz
&
peterson
UNCW/Jamie Moncrief
men’s b a s k e t b a l l
What went through your mind when considering this position? First of all, I was impressed with the support for the program. The team has a good following, and it’s a great school. We have terrific academic standards in an outstanding location. I figured it would be an easy sell for recruits out there. What surprised you the most about UNCW? I think the beauty of the campus. It’s gorgeous. We have so many new buildings on campus. What have you learned about Wilmington since you’ve been here? I didn’t realize how much it’s growing. We used to come here and visit in the 80s. Now, we have Mayfaire and other areas. This city has grown and has a lot of character to it. What are your goals this year? Night in and night out, we have to play extremely hard. We have to take pride on the defensive end and value the basketball on the offensive end. We can’t allow our opponents second shots at the basket. Do you have any teal in your closet? I’ve got a couple jackets, but I need more ties. Maybe I can get some more teal ties for Christmas. I’ll use those jackets on special occasions for games. I can’t leave a jacket on, though. I have to take it off. What’s your favorite basketball memory? It would have to be the national championship team in 1982. I remember the camaraderie of that group. That was a team with strong unity. We got along well off the floor, and we had tremendous leadership from Jimmy Black. The Final Four run was pretty special. It felt like all of the hard work we went through in the off season paid off. Who was your basketball idol growing up? Believe it or not, it was Kyle Macy. He was a smart, intelligent guard. He was a good shooter and always under control. I loved when he used to reach for his socks at the free throw line. I asked him one time why he did that and that was how he dried his hands. What advice would you give to young players today? Keep working on the fundamental stuff, like handling the basketball. I would tell them to keep their eyes up when they dribble and make good passes. They should work on their shooting, especially free throw shooting. That’s a lost art. Crunch Berries or Grape Nuts? Definitely Grape Nuts. They’re healthy for you. I try to eat some nuts during the course of the day, so I don’t get too hungry. I’m big on eating fiber cereal in the morning, and I like Nutri-grain bars. What message do you have for UNCW’s alumni? It’s so important that we have the support of our alumni. We need the support of our alumni for our program and the university. 17