Video Transcript Below

 

Paul Condry
Welcome back here to the University Men’s Basketball Media Day. Glad you can join us here today. Paul Khoury, the longtime voice of the past, glad to be joined by Brandon Hunt, who really kind of broke on to the scene last year as one of the top young guys in the Crossroads League, the Pirates are fortunate to have him a part of this exciting men’s basketball program.

And Brandon, I know that for you this has got to be an exciting opportunity. You got a whole bunch of new faces on this group. And I know that you worked diligently in the weight room as well as eating as many calories a day to try to put on weight and do all those kind of things. And, you know, you know, the best way we can probably explain it, this guy’s got the metabolism of Michael Phelps that people can relate to that.

But isn’t that the truth?

Brandon Hunt
Yeah, that’s the truth. I’ve been trying to put on some weight. It I succeeded. I succeeded a little bit, but I’d like to put on some more light to.

PC
Give us an idea. As you went through the the crossroads League season last year. And I know I think I talked to you about it on numerous occasions, you know, before the season even got started. It’s like you know, this league’s brutal. You’re ready for it. So now having said that, now this is brutal. Are you ready for the second time around?

BH
A man. I’m ready. I think last year was a I got to learn a lot throughout the season. And I, I feel like I’ve I kind of understand what needs to be done with scouting and kind of day in and day out type of things that I kind of understand more. Coach But it’s helped me a lot with that.

So yeah, I’m really looking forward to it this year.

PC
As coming to Bethel exceeded your expectations.

BH
It has, honestly. It’s it’s been a it’s been an amazing college basketball experience. Well, on and off the court. And so, yeah, really no complaints.

PC
When you when you look at the the the student life here and getting to I know that it’s been need to be able to get a chance to meet other students other other athletes. And one of the unique situations that they have here is that the athletes are all engaged with them regardless of what the programs are, from baseball guys to soccer to whatever the case, the volleyball, I mean, everybody knows everybody in this in a small school environment that makes it really, really neat to to be a part of.

BH
Yeah, I would agree with you. I like our athletic director, Mr. Martelli. Coach. Totally. He he kind of requires all athlete games, but we love it. It’s not it doesn’t feel like it’s required. We’d like to go to all those and support our other teams and everyone gets along. So it’s pretty amazing.

PC
Give us an idea what you think of this coaching staff. I know it’s it’s made some changes. Kayla Boykins, come on to join us. He had a tremendous career here. And, of course, Steve and Marc continue to be the rock of the program. Give us an idea, as you see the coaching staff transition and what you’ve learned from them.

BH
Yeah, I think everyone has a very important role and they all do it very well. I think all of the all the like great assistance and assistance. They they do a great job of kind of doing the well I guess the non head coach jobs and coach Draven does he takes care of business. He really does and yeah they all bring some to the table that’s very important.

PC
Well, you’re probably going to be the number five guy, if you will, and in the quote unquote offense. So unlike some of the other guys here who maybe have a body of of five but have aspirations of being a one in the offense, I don’t think Brandon Hunt has the aspirations of being a point guard, am I right?

BH
You’re right. You’re correct on that. I’d like to leave that to draw lots and all the other guards on the team there. They can do a lot better than I can.

PC
So yeah, give us an idea as you look forward to the Crossroads League, are there some teams on that, on their conference schedule that you just sent me and I can’t wait to get played there again?

BH
Yeah, I’m looking forward to playing Grace. They are. They’re a really good team, but I’d like to. I’d like to beat them this year. Sure.

PC
Okay. So give us an idea as you look forward to the the 20, 22, 23 season, did you sit down, Brandon, and write yourself a note and say, hey, listen, I want to be able to play 35, 37 minutes a game. I want to average 15 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists. You sit down and go over some of those individual things or do you simply just say, Coach Draymond says, we want to bring home a red banner, we want to bring home a crossroads league better.

How do you collectively motivate yourself to do those kind of things?

BH
Well, I coach Draymond and I talk about goals, but I do make some of my own and you know, I’d like to have I thought like to have at least ten double doubles this year. Probably more than that would be the goal especially. But yeah, we’d like to we’d like to play a lot better in the league than we did last year and, you know, succeed.

PC
The final question final question here today. I know that you’ve been actively involved with the women’s volleyball program in your Dating Hannah Weeks, and that’s a unique situation there because I talked with Katie, the women’s coach anyways Weeks and she just loves you and she thinks that that that kind of interaction between multiple athletes is just a really special thing on a campus like this.
Can can you speak to that?

BH
Well, the women’s volleyball team there, they’re one of the like they’re almost ranked every year and they’re they’re very successful. And so it’s it is great to, you know, have that connection and be with successful people around. Yeah.

PC
All right. That’s going to do it here. Once again, I think Brandon had the pride of the Spartans State joining us here here in Mishawaka, Indiana. We’ll be back with more about the University Men’s Media Day right after this.