2008 Woodie Awards
Dragon's Den: Josh Mayo
The sophomore guard talks to the Flame about preparation, determination and the excitement surrounding the UIC basketball season
Matt Piechalak
Issue date: 11/6/06 Section: Sports
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To begin with, from a personal standpoint, describe the attitude surround the 2006-07 Flames.
Last year, we ended the season really well. We're looking to build off that this year, we're looking to just go straight up. I'm really excited; the sky's the limit for us this year. We've got a lot of talent on the team and a lot of high flyers. Our chemistry is going well so hopefully we can bring fans into the Pavilion and fill up the seats.
Beginning your second year of Division I basketball, there is no longer that element of surprise. Talk about the difference in your comfort, knowledge, and preparation heading into this season.
My comfort level is 100 percent better than last year. You know, last year, it was nerve wrecking coming into D-1 basketball, a lot tougher than I expected. This year, I'm sliding in and much more comfortable with it. The knowledge of the offense is there now. As a team, we're learning a lot of niches in the offense in order to get quick scores.
How has coach Collins been getting the team prepared for the season and what has he stressed?
This whole year, we've been stressing defense, defense, defense. Last year, we weren't a very good defensive team but this year, we're going to be a lot better. Everything we start off with is defense.
This year, six guys on the team at 6'7" or taller. Does this height advantage change the backcourt? Does it open up the perimeter?
It will definitely open up the perimeter for us. Getting the ball into the big men sucks in the defense and they all know how to pass. So, they kick it back out to us and we're lighting it up. We're looking for the post a lot more, but coach is still expecting the guards to take control, drive, and be hard to cover.
Who has been the sharpshooter in practice so far?
We've all been shooting pretty well. But, I'd have to say, my fellow guard T.J. Gray. He's definitely been lighting it up.
With Justin Bowen gone, who's going to step up as the leader of this team?
We all have to step up, you know? If I did have to pick, I think it would be Jovan (Stefanov) or Othyus (Jeffers). But, all the guys have really been leaders on the team, helping one another out every day.
UIC Flames versus U of I @ United Center (Dec. 9): Will this be the biggest stage you've ever played on in your collegiate career and how excited are you to play on the Bulls home floor?
We played at Syracuse and Georgia Tech last year, which were huge crowds. It will be really exciting, I've never played in there before and hopefully, we come out with a victory.
Is there any other non-conference games you have highlighted on your calendar?
No, we're just going to take it one game at a time. That's what I'm going to stress to the team this year. Don't look forward to any other games because that [game] that you look past, you'll slip up and loose it.
Finally, what will it take to compete in the Horizon League this year and do you believe that Loyola truly is the favorite?
Yeah, Loyola is probably the favorite. But, we're going to compete with everybody. We compete with each other every day and we're making each other a lot better. We're going to go out there and compete with [Loyola]. So, if they want to overlook us, they can do that. They'll pass us up and then they'll slip up and loose to us.
Thank you Josh, good luck this season.
My pleasure. Thank you.
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Last year, we ended the season really well. We're looking to build off that this year, we're looking to just go straight up. I'm really excited; the sky's the limit for us this year. We've got a lot of talent on the team and a lot of high flyers. Our chemistry is going well so hopefully we can bring fans into the Pavilion and fill up the seats.
Beginning your second year of Division I basketball, there is no longer that element of surprise. Talk about the difference in your comfort, knowledge, and preparation heading into this season.
My comfort level is 100 percent better than last year. You know, last year, it was nerve wrecking coming into D-1 basketball, a lot tougher than I expected. This year, I'm sliding in and much more comfortable with it. The knowledge of the offense is there now. As a team, we're learning a lot of niches in the offense in order to get quick scores.
How has coach Collins been getting the team prepared for the season and what has he stressed?
This whole year, we've been stressing defense, defense, defense. Last year, we weren't a very good defensive team but this year, we're going to be a lot better. Everything we start off with is defense.
This year, six guys on the team at 6'7" or taller. Does this height advantage change the backcourt? Does it open up the perimeter?
It will definitely open up the perimeter for us. Getting the ball into the big men sucks in the defense and they all know how to pass. So, they kick it back out to us and we're lighting it up. We're looking for the post a lot more, but coach is still expecting the guards to take control, drive, and be hard to cover.
Who has been the sharpshooter in practice so far?
We've all been shooting pretty well. But, I'd have to say, my fellow guard T.J. Gray. He's definitely been lighting it up.
With Justin Bowen gone, who's going to step up as the leader of this team?
We all have to step up, you know? If I did have to pick, I think it would be Jovan (Stefanov) or Othyus (Jeffers). But, all the guys have really been leaders on the team, helping one another out every day.
UIC Flames versus U of I @ United Center (Dec. 9): Will this be the biggest stage you've ever played on in your collegiate career and how excited are you to play on the Bulls home floor?
We played at Syracuse and Georgia Tech last year, which were huge crowds. It will be really exciting, I've never played in there before and hopefully, we come out with a victory.
Is there any other non-conference games you have highlighted on your calendar?
No, we're just going to take it one game at a time. That's what I'm going to stress to the team this year. Don't look forward to any other games because that [game] that you look past, you'll slip up and loose it.
Finally, what will it take to compete in the Horizon League this year and do you believe that Loyola truly is the favorite?
Yeah, Loyola is probably the favorite. But, we're going to compete with everybody. We compete with each other every day and we're making each other a lot better. We're going to go out there and compete with [Loyola]. So, if they want to overlook us, they can do that. They'll pass us up and then they'll slip up and loose to us.
Thank you Josh, good luck this season.
My pleasure. Thank you.
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