ECU Basketball Q&A: With Michael Zangari
October 23, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Q: You missed some time over the summer with an injury. How are you feeling now as the season rapidly approaches?
A: I’m getting back, but I’m feeling pretty good. I get in here early and get my treatments with Nate (Clark), whether it’s an hour early or coming in early in the mornings. I’m feeling really good right now, so as long as that keeps going I’ll be happy.
Q: How do you see your role on the team this year?
A: I’m sure I may be playing some big minutes with Kanu and me at the five this year. I just want to take advantage of those minutes. I’ve got one more go around, so I want to make the most of it.
Q: Speaking on this being your last go round, what are your thoughts going into it?
A: My biggest goal coming in here was to make the NCAA Tournament and obviously I haven’t gotten there yet, so that’s my goal for the team this year.
Q: What do you think of the new guys this year, like Clarence, Deng and Kentrell?
A: They’re all fitting in really well. They haven’t missed a beat. I think they’re going to be able to contribute this year.
Q: What has it been like playing for Coach Lebo that last three years?
A: Everyday doesn’t change. Its not like he’s in a bad mood one day and a good mode another. We might have a bad practice or something, but the next day we come in and bounce back; it’s a new day. Just because we have a good practice, it doesn’t mean we’re going to be celebrating. We’re going to come in here and have another good. Same thing with the games. We know what we’re going to get from him.
Q: What do you see as some of the challenges facing the team this year?
A: We need to be able to rebound the ball better this year. Everybody knows that was a huge hole.
Q: If there is one thing that you’d like to bring into the upcoming season that people haven’t gotten a chance to see yet, what would that be?
A: I’d like to be able to knock down some shots. I came in here thinking that’s what I was going to do and I haven’t been able to do it so far to this point. I’m shooting the ball well right now; hopefully I’ll be able to shoot it well during the season to. I think I’ll be able to help our offense a little bit if I’m able to expand the floor and do what Marshall (Guilmette) was able to do at the end of the season last year.
Q: Do you have a feel for shots or know whether you’re going to have a good night shooting the basketball or not?
A: Not really beforehand, but when the ball leaves my hand I know whether it’s going in or not. I’m shooting the ball well right now, so I just hope that continues.
Q: What is the off the court chemistry like and how does that help you guys on the court?
A: We get along so well. Like I said, they new guys haven’t missed a beat. We have a good group of guys that get a long. That obviously helps us on the floor, so we don’t have to worry about guys fighting and bickering or things like that. Everybody knows his role.
Q: Do you have any superstitions or pregame rituals?
A: I know I am superstitious, but I don’t really have rituals. However, if I eat something before one game and I play well, I’ll make sure I’ll eat that the night before again. If something good happens, then I feel like I need to do that every time.
