On the added depth comes with having 12 scholarship players: "The most important thing about that is the practice environment, which is completely different. Even in the first couple years when we had some pretty good talent but only seven or eight players, we've never had a real good practice environment. I mean, we had coaches having to practice. It was not conducive to getting better during the year."

On the level of dedication showed by the players: "The entire team was here this whole summer. I think it was really important that they made that commitment. They ate breakfast together, they lifted weights together, they shot and played together. A lot of teams will do that, but not too many will do it for an entire summer."

On he wants/expects from Paul George as a sophomore: "He has to be a significant presence defensively on the floor. We saw him do that a little at the end of the year, but we need a consistent physical presence defensively and rebounding. He's so long that he creates problem. But his aggression level defensively and his strength issues are going to be real important. He understands the game offensively. He doesn't force it. He lets the game come to him. But I think there's a mental and physical toughness that needs to be demonstrated. Not just by Paul, but by this entire team."

On the newcomers, in particular freshmen Greg Smith, Jerry Brown and Garrett Johnson: "We've brought in guys who are really motivated and have a different energy and aggression level. All of the freshmen we brought in are high energy. They have strong motors and they're very motivated."

On his early impressions of the 6-10, 240-pound Smith: "For a guy as highly touted as he was coming out of high school, he's the most coachable young man I've ever been around. Every possession he's asking questions. He wants to get better."

On Smith's game: "Right now he's a physical presence who's going to rebound the ball and is extremely unselfish and has fit in well with his teammates. ... He's got to get better offensively. He's got to develop some go-to moves down in the low post. But initially, he'll be a presence just because of his ability to rebound and take up space."

On JC transfer Steven Shepp, expected to play right away at point guard: "He's played that position his entire life. He has a very good feel for the game, he's a good passer and he knows how to run a team. ... Becoming a better defender and getting stronger are the things he has to work on to make himself a complete player."

On Brandon Sperling, a likely contributor at point guard, off guard and small forward: "He's a hard-nosed, competitive young man who has spent hundreds of hours on his shot and his ball-handling. .... When he played some of our better basketball at the end of the year, he was starting at the point for us even though it's not a natural position for him."