We sat down with basketball sharpshooter Jason Mendell ’12 in the comfort of his Hewitt dorm room to discuss his team’s improvement, Super Smash Bros., and the New York Knicks.
Argus: The team improved from 7-17 to 11-14 this year and made the NESCAC tournament for the first time in five years. What were the reasons behind your improvement this year?
Jason Mendell: I think we just have a bunch of guys with a good mindset. The nine-man recruiting class of talented players was obviously a huge part of it too. They all came in with the mindset that winning is the most important thing. We didn’t win all the games that we wanted to this year, but we definitely made a step in the right direction.
A: As you said, there were nine freshmen on the team. A lot of them played a good deal of minutes, and one [Shasha Brown ’13] was the leading scorer. How important were they to the team?
JM: They were all important; some of them push us in practice, and the other ones are out there making plays in the game. Sha obviously was huge for us, [David] Fogel [’13] came on strong and helped us with scoring during the conference season, and [Mike] Callaghan [’13] was a big force inside all year.
A: You guys all stayed here together over winter break and hung out all the time, right? How was the extended team bonding session?
JM: It’s always a good time. There’s not much else to do besides hang out and play video games. Mario Party, Smash Bros., we created all sorts of rivalries with that, so it’s always pretty fun.
A: Yeah, a good number of your teammates are always in here playing Smash Bros. Who is the best at it? I’m not going to ask whether or not you’re telling the truth, either.
JM: Well, according to the official leader board, [Matt] Hogan [’13] is the best, but I think the most feared option is definitely me on the sticks with Kirby. If you’re near the edge, watch out: it’s going down, things are going to happen, I’m going to make a play, and Hogan knows this. The Real Deal [Neal Creeden ’11] isn’t really a feared competitor, he’s just there for effect.
A: If you’re not playing Smash Bros., you’re watching basketball, and you’re known as a huge NBA fan, specifically a New York Knicks fan. What’s your outlook on the season now that you have Tracy McGrady and Eddie House on the squad?
JM: Eddie House can shoot the ball really well, which always makes me pretty happy. I think it’ll open up more shots for Danilo [Gallinari] and [Wilson] Chandler. As far as McGrady, he’s got a huge contract, and I think it’s all building towards the future when we’ll have cap room for two star players. If we can get LeBron James in there, everyone’s going to be a Knick fan, so get ready to jump on that bandwagon.
A: How do you think the rest of the NBA season will play out? Any MVP or championship predictions?
JM: I think the MVP has to be LeBron James, but Kevin Durant’s been ridiculous this year, and he’s going to be second in the voting, I think. I think the Lakers are going to win, but I don’t really want them to, because I don’t think Kobe needs another ring on that dirty hand of his. [Laughs]
A: What are you going to do now that it’s the off-season and you have some more free time?
JM: A lot of hanging out and watching basketball. I’m going to enjoy this warm weather that’s going to come, it’s been pretty cold being here since break. Also I’m going to hone my Smash Bros. skills because it’s the most important competition I have for the next six months of my life. Then I’m getting back in the weight room and start going again for basketball.
A: Is there anything specific you want to work on this off-season to improve about your game?
JM: Yeah, I’m trying to jump like Sha. I feel like jumping like him and Derick [Beresford ’13] would definitely help. I’m going to increase the Sha factor in my legs.
A: Finally, how do you think the team is looking for next season?
JM: I think every team in the conference has to be scared of what we’ll be bringing back. Next year we’ll have a lot more experience; this year we had a bunch of guys in the rotation who had never played a NESCAC game, and I had only played one year of it. I think what we’ll bring to the table is the same firepower and just more readiness for what’s going to happen, and what it takes to get a win on this level. A lot more so than your Bobcats. [Laughs]
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