University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Kristin Ostrowski
Q&A with Marcus Carr
12/4/2019 11:32:00 AM | Men's Basketball
This originally appeared in the Dec. 2 game program against Clemson. Interview by Matt Little, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Gopher Sports: How would you say that redshirting last season improved you as a player?
Carr: I think just watching. I picked up a lot of little intricate details about the game that I feel are really engraved in my mind now that I use to get better. Of course I was working on my skills and trying to implement things into my game like that, but I think the biggest thing for me was just learning. Sitting down, watching and learning from the guys and the run they had. Learning about the Big Ten as well, coming into a new conference. It was just a huge learning experience.
GS: Describe yourself in three words.
Carr: Calm, competitive, and thoughtful.
GS: Who is the best 2k player on the team?
Carr: I want to say it's between Eric or Payton. Zay's lying, it's not Zay. Mike's up there too. It's probably Eric or Mike.
GS: What was it like to represent Minnesota this year at Big Ten media day?
Carr: That was a very cool experience. Thanks to Coach P for bringing me along with Mike there too. It started early in the morning, and it was a bunch of running around and a bunch of cameras. It was definitely a little tiring, but it was cool and a great experience. And at the end there, getting to be on TV with Coach. It was just cool.
GS: What would you say is this team's biggest strength?
Carr: I would say our versatility. A lot of guys can do a lot of different things, and nobody is really set in a specific position. A lot of guys can do all three things: dribble, pass, shoot, so it makes playing out there easier. Not everybody has a set role, but everybody can contribute in a lot of ways.
GS: Earlier this year in one of Coach Pitino's blogs, he gave his thoughts on the roster and said you were "an elite guard in his opinion." What features of your game would you dub as elite?
Carr: I would say my playmaking. I'm able to get in the paint, and either finish and make plays for myself or make plays for my teammates. I pride myself on that, just being able to make the right decision and make plays for guys or if need be, myself.
GS: Looking at this roster with all the newcomers joining the squad this year, what's something you're excited for your teammates to bring to the team this season, that might not have been there last year?
Carr: Not that it wasn't there last year, but the energy. I think we come into practice everyday, and everyone is a worker. From day one, it's never been a question of work ethic. The guys are in the gym all the time, and whenever we practice the effort is always there, so I'm just excited to get out there and work with these guys.
GS: Who would you say are the best and worst dancers on the team?
Carr: Oh worst? Dan for sure. Dan is the worst dancer on the planet. The best? A lot of guys like to dance on this team. I'll give it to Eric.
GS: Do you have any personal goals for this upcoming season?
Carr: Yeah, win. Always focus on winning, whether Big Ten championship, NCAA championship or whatever. Of course it's one step at a time, just focusing on game one then game two and not trying to get too far ahead, but the goal is always to win.
Quick Hitters
Favorite Professional Team: Toronto Raptors
Netflix Series: Blacklist
Music Artist: Young Thug
Biggest Idol: My mom
Place to go eat: RitzÂ
Memory from the Italy Trip: Lake Como
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Gopher Sports: How would you say that redshirting last season improved you as a player?
Carr: I think just watching. I picked up a lot of little intricate details about the game that I feel are really engraved in my mind now that I use to get better. Of course I was working on my skills and trying to implement things into my game like that, but I think the biggest thing for me was just learning. Sitting down, watching and learning from the guys and the run they had. Learning about the Big Ten as well, coming into a new conference. It was just a huge learning experience.
GS: Describe yourself in three words.
Carr: Calm, competitive, and thoughtful.
GS: Who is the best 2k player on the team?
Carr: I want to say it's between Eric or Payton. Zay's lying, it's not Zay. Mike's up there too. It's probably Eric or Mike.
GS: What was it like to represent Minnesota this year at Big Ten media day?
Carr: That was a very cool experience. Thanks to Coach P for bringing me along with Mike there too. It started early in the morning, and it was a bunch of running around and a bunch of cameras. It was definitely a little tiring, but it was cool and a great experience. And at the end there, getting to be on TV with Coach. It was just cool.
GS: What would you say is this team's biggest strength?
Carr: I would say our versatility. A lot of guys can do a lot of different things, and nobody is really set in a specific position. A lot of guys can do all three things: dribble, pass, shoot, so it makes playing out there easier. Not everybody has a set role, but everybody can contribute in a lot of ways.
GS: Earlier this year in one of Coach Pitino's blogs, he gave his thoughts on the roster and said you were "an elite guard in his opinion." What features of your game would you dub as elite?
Carr: I would say my playmaking. I'm able to get in the paint, and either finish and make plays for myself or make plays for my teammates. I pride myself on that, just being able to make the right decision and make plays for guys or if need be, myself.
GS: Looking at this roster with all the newcomers joining the squad this year, what's something you're excited for your teammates to bring to the team this season, that might not have been there last year?
Carr: Not that it wasn't there last year, but the energy. I think we come into practice everyday, and everyone is a worker. From day one, it's never been a question of work ethic. The guys are in the gym all the time, and whenever we practice the effort is always there, so I'm just excited to get out there and work with these guys.
GS: Who would you say are the best and worst dancers on the team?
Carr: Oh worst? Dan for sure. Dan is the worst dancer on the planet. The best? A lot of guys like to dance on this team. I'll give it to Eric.
GS: Do you have any personal goals for this upcoming season?
Carr: Yeah, win. Always focus on winning, whether Big Ten championship, NCAA championship or whatever. Of course it's one step at a time, just focusing on game one then game two and not trying to get too far ahead, but the goal is always to win.
Quick Hitters
Favorite Professional Team: Toronto Raptors
Netflix Series: Blacklist
Music Artist: Young Thug
Biggest Idol: My mom
Place to go eat: RitzÂ
Memory from the Italy Trip: Lake Como
Â
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