This week, I sat down with standout Big Green men's basketball guard R.J. Griffin '13, who received the A.D. "Dolly" Stark Award as the most valuable player of the 2010-2011 season. Griffin started in every game last season, and was the top scorer in half of them. He led the Big Green in scoring with 9.4 points per game, and had a career high of 20 points against Harvard University in January.
How has training been during the off-season and this summer?RG: It's been good and pretty intense. We lift at like 8 a.m. every morning, and we run Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
How many players are on campus?RG: There are only two sophomores here.
How has Summer term been going? Does the team have any camps or team training time in Hanover?RG: Our coach [Paul Cormier] had two camps regular and elite but we haven't been able to work them because of classes.
The last season and the season prior had identical records both overall and in the Ivy League (5-23, 1-13 Ivy). What areas do you think the team needs to work on?RG: This is our first off-season with our new coach. Since the end of the season in the spring, everything has been intensified. Our weight program changed a lot, and practice techniques are a lot different. He is a lot more hands-on than our last coach.
Reflecting on the past season, what are you taking away from what went right or what went wrong?RG: This is the second season in [Cormier's] system and it will help a lot. I think the incoming recruits will also help.
What do you think will change this year as a team?RG: [Cormier] is trying to make a winning culture, and being in a culture where people expect to win will help.
How did your game change from freshman to sophomore year?RG: I think between freshman and sophomore [seasons], I was learning the rigors of the Ivy League [schedule], with Friday and Saturday games. I think I have changed a lot more between this past season and this year.
Does that have to do with the new coach?RG: It does, but I think I have matured as a person as well.
How is Cormier? How was the transition?RG: I think we all have a lot of respect for him coming from the NBA. The one thing about him is that he is honest, brutally honest, and I think that has helped a lot.
What has he been honest about?RG: Well, he doesn't sugarcoat anything. I think one thing that this coach has brought is making it more of a program. He is giving us everything we need to succeed.
As the MVP of the team, do you feel yourself moving into a leadership role?RG: Definitely. One of the big things that coach stressed at the end of the season was moving into a leadership role and integrating the freshmen and the upperclassmen. I am in a program with [Assistant Athletic Director for Student Enhancement] Anne Hudak called LEAD, and I'm definitely learning a lot and becoming more of a leader.
With only two seniors graduating from last season, do you think the team dynamic will be more close-knit this year?RG: I think we are going to be more of a veteran team. We are bringing in nine freshmen, so it will be interesting. The older guys are going to help teach and integrate the younger guys quickly.
Have you met the recruits for this season? Anyone you are particularly excited for?RG: They are all pretty good, no one stands out more than the rest. The guys we have are really good as well. The upperclassmen are definitely going to lead the way next year.
What are your goals as you train and prepare for next season?RG: As a team, of course, to win the Ivy League [Championship]. I want to be a good leader and do whatever it takes to help us win games.
