BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech men's basketball conducted its 2023 preseason media availability to prepare for the start of its season. Head coach Mike Young spoke at the podium, addressing local media, and was joined by guards Hunter Cattoor, MJ Collins, Sean Pedulla and forwards Robbie Beran and Mylyjael Poteat.
Men's basketball is scheduled to start its season on Monday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. ET at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum following the women's basketball season opener. Get your tickets to the Hokies doubleheader before the game sells out.
Read below to see what they had to say.
Head Coach Mike Young
On the team's first set of practices:
"Good. You know, I think we're all saying this is year 22 for me. We've got a long way to go, but they're playing really hard and a great group to coach. You know, we had a little bit of a springboard into the year with the trip this summer."
On improving defensively this season:
"It better be. We've spent a great deal of time on it. Through the summer and through our first six practices, the defense will be [improved]. And, you know, so far so good."
Guard Hunter Cattoor
On installing a play at practice:
"Yeah, [Mike Young] told me it was the first time he's let a player kind of install play. It's a play we've run. We were talking about it. We probably scored 100-plus points off that play. You guys have probably seen it all the time. But it was just the trust he has for me to go out there and to tell the team this is how we're going to run the play. It means a lot. Obviously, he could have gone out there. He didn't have to do that for me. He could have just went out there and told the team this is how we're going to run it. But the trust he has for me to go out there and kind of explain it to the players that don't know the play and kind of remind the ones coming back how we run it. So it was pretty cool to do that."
Guard MJ Collins
On the experience he gained last season:
"I feel like it'll really help me a lot. You know, since as a freshman, I got most minutes that I would say most freshmen didn't get. So, I feel like I have a step ahead this year. I've seen a lot more plays last year. So, this year I feel like it'll just be more second nature to me when we're going over stuff. You know, when games start, seeing different plays, I feel like I'll be adapted to it much quicker than I was last year."
Guard Sean Pedulla
On the team being more consistent this season:
"Yeah, obviously, having a lineup that's consistently out there on the court is a big deal, but I think this year we've definitely homed in on the defensive end and becoming elite there. I think we all know we can score the ball and shoot the ball. But whenever those shots aren't falling, it's hard to win games consistently whenever the defense isn't really getting a lot of stops. So that's what we're trying to improve on now."
Forward Robbie Beran
On what he brings to the team:
"On the court, as mentioned, fifth-year guy, obviously, that veteran presence and that leadership, obviously, kind of something that I bring. Going to the tournament last year and having that experience, learning over the course of my career, how to win and close out games, something that I can bring to this team. And then obviously, you know, kind of my ability to just kind of stretch the floor, kind of in that pick and pop situation. And then guarding, one through five. Kind of guard mentality if I need to switch on, you know, for possession, or if I get caught. So, I feel like that's kind of what I feel like I bring."
Forward Mylyjael Poteat
On expanding his range in the offseason:
"So, like I said, that was a big part of the offseason. You want to expand some jump shots up, mid ranges, scoring different ways around the post. So, definitely want to expand that range or some mid-range shots this year. Like you said just try to play on that efficiency and keep scoring around the basket at a high clip."
