Q&A: VCU's Shaka Smart talks life in the A-10, buzz around frosh Larrier
Shaka Smart has taken Virginia Commonwealth's brand to another level. The 37-year old head coach has turned the Rams into a perennial top-25 team after leading VCU to an unprecedented run to the Final Four in 2011. CBS Sports Network and CBSSports.com's Jon Rothstein sat down with Smart Monday in Richmond to discuss last year's difficult loss against Stephen F. Austin in the NCAA Tournament, highly touted freshman Terry Larrier, and what could separate VCU in 2014-15 compared to previous seasons.
Jon Rothstein, CBSSports.com: Are you maybe more anxious to get this season going than past years because of the way last year ended being upset by Stephen F. Austin in the Round of 64?
Shaka Smart: I'd say we're always equally anxious to start the year. That was definitely a tough way to finish the year and it wasn't just the game against Stephen F. Austin. The game we lost in the Atlantic 10 tournament title game to Saint Joseph's was also really difficult for us. But I'd say we're like the vast majority of teams out there -- our season ended in a loss -- and we're very excited about getting back out there on the court.
CBSSports.com: Is it a little hard to believe that this program made its name under you as an underdog that reached the Final Four in 2011 and then just a few years later, it's a massive upset when you lose in your first NCAA game?
Smart: First of all, Stephen F. Austin had a terrific team but I think that speaks volumes about the progress that our players -- both current and former -- have created in this program. But certainly, we're a long ways away from where we want to be.
CBSSports.com: Now one thing that you've never really had to deal with since you've been a head coach is off the court issues with one of your players but that's changed because of what happened recently with Briante Weber (suspended for team's first game this season for stealing an iPhone). What has that been like for you and what has the dialogue been like between the two of you since that happened?
Smart: It's actually been a tremendous opportunity for growth. Not just for Briante, but for other members of our program. The reality is in college basketball and in a setting like ours, there's a lot of eyes on you and there's a lot of people that are paying attention to your every move both on and off the court. Briante is a very good kid. He has a terrific record here in terms of the way he's conducted himself, but he made a mistake. It's something that he's learning from and hopefully our whole team is learning from.
CBSSports.com: VCU has undoubtedly elevated the brand of the Atlantic 10 since you joined the league two seasons ago but in that time, you've yet to win the conference's regular season or tournament titles. How much is that a goal for this group?
Smart: Any team sets out to win its league. As you mentioned we joined this league two years ago and I'm far from a historian on the Atlantic 10 -- but I was in the league as an assistant with Oliver Purnell at Dayton 13 or 14 years ago and now re-entering the league with VCU a few years ago -- we feel like these past few seasons have been close to as good as this conference has been. I think our guys have done a good job putting us in position to be highly competitive. We've had some great wins and really we've been a game away -- both from winning the regular season and conference championship. The margin of error is always going to be small in any good league. We just have to understand what it takes to take that next step.
CBSSports.com: Is this possibly the deepest team you've ever had as a head coach?
Smart: I think it could be. We have some freshmen that we have to continue getting ready to play at this level. We have some sophomores that we need to take a big jump from year one to year two. I think if those two things can happen then I think we can be very deep because I think our upperclassmen are ready to play a prominent role.
CBSSports.com: There's been a palpable buzz around Terry Larrier since he decided to bypass other BCS programs to play for you at VCU. What's different about Terry versus other players that have played for you in the past?
Smart: I think the biggest thing that stands out that's different about Terry is his length and height. We've been a program these last three or four years that has had a lot of smaller perimeter players. We've had good quickness and good shooting but we haven't had great length and height, particularly on the perimeter. Terry is 6-7, almost 6-8, and can play multiple positions but certainly is a perimeter player and a guy that we're excited about.
CBSSports.com: You could really see down the stretch last season that Mo Alie-Cox was coming into his own as a player. How much does he epitomize -- similar to Briante (Weber) -- what you want your program's brand to be about?
Smart: Last year Mo was our most pleasant surprise. We really didn't know what to expect from him after he had to sit out the year before because he redshirted. He had a terrific freshman year. Now as a sophomore, he undoubtedly is going to garner many more minutes and we think he's a guy that can take a big jump. And Mo's a guy that doesn't have to put up huge numbers to have an impact on the game. We'll take big numbers if he wants to give them to us and I think he's going to have some really big games statistically. He's definitely a guy that can do a lot of big things that don't necessarily show up on the stat sheet.
CBSSports.com: Now that you've dealt with both sides, what's harder -- being a mid-major program trying to fight for national attention or a perennial top-25 program that's attempting to consistently recruit at an elite level while also playing deep into March?
Smart: I think the challenge either way is to have your guys in the right place mentally when it matters most. I think whether you're the underdog or a team that people are putting in the top 25 or a team that people are talking about advancing in the tournament, it really doesn't matter except in its effect on your mindset. I think if you have a group of guys that are playing aggressive, team-oriented basketball that are willing to sacrifice for the team, it gives you a chance. But at the same time you're going against some pretty good teams, too. Nobody makes it by accident. You have to be ready and step up and compete at that time of year.
Related Links
