University of Minnesota Athletics
A Time-Out with Al Nolen
11/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By: Zach Eisendrath
What a difference a year makes. One year ago, Al Nolen didn’t know what to expect as he prepared for his first season as a Golden Gopher. Twelve months later, the sophomore has been anointed Minnesota’s starting point guard by head coach Tubby Smith.
After a breakout freshman campaign in which he led the team and finished second in the Big Ten with 64 steals, the 6-1, 180 pound guard expects bigger and better things in 2008-09. Gophersports.com caught up with Nolen following practice Wednesday morning to check in with the Minneapolis native.
Gophersports: Between classes and practices, how have things been going so far this fall?
Nolen: It’s going alright. School is going okay and basketball is going really well. We had a really tough preseason and I think everyone is coming along really well; the team Is starting to gel. I think the first game we had to get out our kinks and we didn’t play as well as we wanted to play, but we learned a lot from it. So, I think we’re coming along well.
Gophersports: One year ago, you were a college rookie and looking up to the older guys. Now, you’re considered a veteran on this team. Does that feel kind of strange?
Nolen: It feels kind of weird to only be in my second year and kind of feel like a veteran, but it’s something that’s necessary. Being a point guard, I have to lead. That’s my job. That’s what the team needs and that’s what I’m going to do.
Gophersports: You played in 33 games last season and started six. Did being thrown into the fire right away help you gain confidence in your game?
Nolen: I feel like my confidence has risen a lot by seeing that coach Smith had a lot of trust in me last year, putting me out there to be that guy to lead the team. He trusts me to make the right decisions on the court, so I have a lot of confidence.
Gophersports: You look noticeably stronger. Do you know how much muscle you put on this summer?
Nolen: (Strength and Conditioning coach) Cal Dietz really worked with me and helped me get a lot stronger. I think I put on about five pounds over the summer. I’ve really been focused on getting in the weight room so when I go down low I can absorb the contact from the stronger guards in the Big Ten.
Gophersports: With the departures of the three seniors and the 32.7 points per game they provided, are you going to look to be more of a scorer this year?
Nolen: I’m just trying to be more aggressive to open it up for the rest of my teammates. I felt like last year I wasn’t really aggressive so a lot of teams didn’t play me like I wanted them to. If I’m more aggressive this year, (when) teams don’t play me I’ll have opportunities to make layups or score. Once they start playing me, then I’ll be able to open the floor for my teammates.
Gophersports: What do you see as the teams’ biggest strength right now?
Nolen: I think right now our perimeter defense. Returning guards from last year, we have me, Blake Hoffarber , Lawrence Westbrook , Kevin Payton. When me, Blake and (Westbrook) are out there, we can defend the guys because we know what coach Smith wants. We know how to play together and how to switch off screens without even talking.
Gophersports: Freshmen Devoe Joseph is one of the other guards that may play behind you at point this year. Do you talk with him a lot?
Nolen: I talk to Devoe all the time. I just tell him to listen to the coaches. I give him advice. I tell him to just stay focused and that the main thing is to play defense before anything else and just try to limit your turnovers. I tell him to play fast on the court, but in your mind play slow. But Devoe is coming along really well. He is a good player. He has all the tools, just needs a little guidance, and I’m just trying to help him.
Gophersports: What have been your first impressions of all the new guys?
Nolen: Paul Carter, he’s an athletic wing. Colton Iverson, he’s a banger inside. Ralph (Sampson III) can play inside and outside. Devron Bostick can shoot it of course. Devoe, he is a combo guard who (the coaching staff) is trying to develop more into a point guard. So I’m excited about all the guys. They’ll be able to contribute right away.
Gophersports: Have you guys talked about long-term goals yet, or is it too early for that?
Nolen: We’re just taking it day by day. Ultimately our goal of course is to win the Big Ten Tournament and the Big Ten Championship. But right now we are taking it game by game and day by day.
Gophersports: Your free time is probably limited these days, but what do you do when your away from the classroom and the court?
Nolen: Once I have free time I usually try to get some sleep or get in the gym and shoot a couple shots. I also play video games with (student manager) Ryan Wieland.
Gophersports: What system and what game?
Nolen: Playstation 3, NCAA Football ’09. I’m usually the Gophers actually. Ryan is usually the Florida Gators.
Gophersports: Who wins?
Nolen: I win sometimes, but they make the Florida Gators incredible on the game so it’s kind of hard to beat them.
Gophersports: What’s your best scoring play?
Nolen: Adam Weber to (Eric) Decker. You’ve got to throw it to Decker.
