University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Summer Update: Michael Hurt
6/7/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
GopherSports.com will catch up with each of the Minnesota men's basketball team's returning players as they prepare for summer and the upcoming season. Below, read what rising junior forward Michael Hurt says will be the keys to his third season with the Gophers.
GS: What have you been working on since the season ended?
MH: I've been working on being able to handle the ball better, mostly. Being able to come off ball screens and make reads.
GS: Last season was disappointing for the team, but individually you did have the chance to play quite a bit. How do you think that can benefit you?
MH: Obviously we had a lot of injuries, so I was kind of forced into playing more, which is good because I got some valuable experience. A lot of the guys like Dupree and Murph, when they were freshmen they got thrown in and I think it was kind of the same thing for me. The year before, I didn't play much, so I learned a lot about myself and playing with my teammates. It was a really good overall experience for me that will help me through this year and next.
GS: What advice has Coach Pitino given you heading into the summer?
MH: To be more confident shooting the ball, getting my shot off but then also working on things in the weight room. Like getting stronger, quicker, so I can be out there longer and not be as much of a liability (on defense) and guard better.
GS: What are your impressions of the two new assistant coaches?
MH: I've gone through quite a few workouts with Coach Jeter so I got to work with him a lot. Coach Lindsted reached out and I've been able to talk with him a bit. I'm excited about getting back up there and getting to work.
GS: How do you think Athletes Village has helped the program?
MH: I think it's really a game changer for us but also for recruiting. Just having everything all under one roof. But for recruiting, it's one of the top facilities in the country. They really outdid themselves with the new facility.
GS: Is it a strange feeling now being one of the veteran leaders on the team?
MH: It's just weird because I've been an underclassman the past two years with mostly upperclassmen to look up to. But now, hopefully I can help lead our underclassmen now and teach them things that I've learned.
GS: What does the summer give you a chance to work on that isn't as possible during the school year?
MH: In-season, practices are more focused on scouting for the team we're about to play and not as much about improving ourselves. That's a huge difference between season and during the year.
GS: What is your favorite summer activity beyond basketball?
MH: I like going to the movie theater and watching new movies. A lot of the guys like doing it too, so we can usually get a few to go on a Friday night or a Saturday night. That's probably my favorite thing to do outside of basketball.
GS: What are you most excited about heading into next season?
MH: Being able to play with everybody fully healthy. That was the biggest thing, we had so many injuries last year. I didn't get to play much with Eric my freshman year, and we've gotten pretty close, so being able to play with Eric and Amir will be pretty awesome. As well as Dupree, he wasn't the same player being injured. So with everyone being healthy and at 100 percent, we can do our best to compete at a high level in the Big Ten.