University of Tennessee Athletics
2003-04 SEC Media Day
October 29, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 29, 2003
Head Coach Buzz Peterson
Opening comments:
" This is going to be an interesting year. In fact we do not have any seniors and I challenged Brandon Crump to be a leader. It is going to be different without Ron Slay. Slay not only scored points but he was our leader. I really love the chemistry of the team. They are like a sponge and they sort of soak everything up in practice. Overall I am excited about this year. There is a lot of talent and we need to make sure this team stays positive."
On this year's team:
" The big thing about this group is they are fun to coach and be around. When we recruit we tell them we want to treat them like a human first, a student second and an athlete third. This is a very tight knit group and with no seniors we have them longer."
On SEC:
" The league lost a lot however Vanderbilt is bringing the whole team back. I don't believe the league is down it is just a balance league overall. In this league anything can happen. You can go on the road and get blown away by anyone."
Forward Brandon Crump
On team:
" We lost some experience from last year's team. However I think we will be better. We are very hungry. I see this at practice. We come everyday to practice get better."
On importance to team:
" I think I have to be more aggressive inside and outside. I have to make everyone around me better. I cannot take a day or night off. I cannot take a day off from practice either."
On team chemistry:
" It will take a few games for everyone to gel. We are not used to Ron Slay being gone and it will take two or three games for us to realize that it is our turn and for us to just go out there and play."
Guard C.J. Watson
On team:
" We are going to be ready. We have a couple of new transfers this year. Me and Brandon Crump will be ready and it is going to be a fun year. Last year the team chemistry was missing and I believe we are bonding real well this year."
On winning SEC East:
" It is going to be real tough. With Kentucky and Florida, winning the east is always tough. It is going to take us stepping up to get the job done. I know we can win some games and the rest will take care of itself."
