They Said It: Samford 97-80 Over Wofford
Samford Scoop got the chance to sit down with Samford head coach Lennie Acuff along with players Cade Norris and Keaton Norris. Cade Norris finished with a career high 17 points and 6 rebounds. While Keaton Norris finished with 14 points and 8 assists.
Q: You got a career high from Cade Norris with 17 points and then he was +27. How has it been seeing his growth this season?
Lennie Acuff: “Yeah, he's playing good basketball. You know, I thought Cade and Keaton were both really good. I mean they go 31 points, 12 assists. They make five threes between them five for seven. We'll take down all day. They both have a high care factor. They've been raised that way. It's a big deal to them. And sometimes their greatest strength can be their greatest weakness. Sometimes they get too down or discouraged when it doesn’t go well, but I'm really happy for him. You know, he (Cade) didn't get to play much at Illinois State, but he came in here with confidence. He's a tough kid, and really happy when Keaton makes threes, it changes our team.”
Q: You mentioned having five guys scoring in double figures and you’ve had more games with balanced scoring here recently. What’s it like seeing that balance out there on the court?
Acuff: “Jadin (Booth) and Dylan (Faulkner) have been remarkably consistent but when you can get five guys to do that, it just changes our whole complexion of our team and the biggest thing is confidence. Confidence is a superpower, and it can go good or bad and when it's going bad, it's hard to turn it around, and I feel like we’re gaining confidence but you have to earn your confidence. You know it's not given to you. And they work like after practice, they're in there shooting and I think our coaches have done a good job continuing to work them out during the day, and continuing to expect good things from them. And I think it's important when things aren't going well that you don't panic, you know? We were 3-6 I think at one time I think that's right, 2-5. But we just kept coming, you know just keep kicking the can down the road.”
Q: You touched on the growing confidence of this group. How important is it to have that right now especially with going on the road at ETSU next?
Acuff: Yeah I mean they're awfully good. That's a tough, tough place to play. And that's why you can't get too high or too low, is the ebb and flow of the schedule. I think I told you guys, I thought we had a little crack right here when we were able to win at Western Carolina to having 3 at home. You got to take advantage of that one, now we got 3 on the road, and we're going to play 3 really good basketball teams on the road. And so, 3 teams are in the top five, but ETSU is really, really good, and it's gonna take a monster effort. But we'll come back and work tomorrow and try to have a good plan and go up there and play as hard as we can.
Q: Coach talked about the confidence of the team growing and Cade do you see that in your game as well getting better and better?
Cade Norris: “Oh, yeah, for sure. I mean, I think every game I’m a little more comfortable and willing to make a little bit more plays, getting the paint, help other guys out and it helps when the ball goes in. You know, confidence but I feel like I'm playing my best ball and just trying to help the team win.”
Q: Keaton, 20 assists for you guys as a team. What has it been like working with this group, being patient and sharing the rock with this team?
Keaton Norris: “Yeah, it starts with our leadership, Coach obviously, a special offensive coach. He gets us in the right spots and then like I said earlier, we have great players. I mean when you got shot makers, like, Booth, the way Cade is shooting right now, the way Kam is shooting it, and then obviously Dylan and other guys, it makes it pretty easy to share the ball with one another.”
Samford goes back on the road for three straight games starting at first place ETSU on Saturday afternoon. The game will tip at 11am CT on ESPNU.
