Q&A: Phil Nolan Hearing from Marquette, Oklahoma and Minnesota
Phil Nolan Hearing from Marquette, Oklahoma and Minnesota as Recruitment Picks Back Up
By Chris Monter
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/130629?referrer_id=331171
Philip Nolan, a 6-foot-10, 210-pound senior forward from Milwaukee Riverside, played in the Twin Cities in the East Metro Showcase this past weekend. Nolan became eligible this past week for the Tigers, who are 11-3 and ranked No. 6 in Division I (Wisconsin’s biggest class.) Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith and assistants Saul Smith and Vince Taylor watched Nolan play against Hopkins Saturday. GopherHole.com caught up with Nolan after the game to learn the latest on his recruitment.
Nolan had considered schools such as Clemson, Marquette, Memphis, Oklahoma, Minnesota and Oregon in the early signing period, but decided to wait until the spring to decide.
Nolan is a long, athletic left-handed shot blocker. He has a soft shooting touch and runs the floor well, but he needs to get stronger and improve his rebounding.
Minnesota is currently full with their 13 scholarships, but the staff is watching Nolan in case a scholarship becomes available.
Gopher Hole: How good does it finally feel to be back on the court?
Philip Nolan: It feels good. It felt really great Friday (against St. Paul Central). Today (Saturday), after a loss like that, I just don’t know. I’m not feeling great.
Gopher Hole: Does playing in these types of games against good competition like this weekend and last weekend in La Crosse helps your team get ready for the postseason because you know that you are going to play better and better team as the playoffs progress?
Philip Nolan: Hopkins is like one of the teams that you would play while you are at a prep school. Some of our guys had never experienced playing against guys like that. It is an eye-opener.
Gopher Hole: Did you know how good they were before this?
Philip Nolan: I played against them my sophomore year and I knew that they were pretty good.
Gopher Hole: I know that you are a competitive kid. How hard was it to be out there and not be able to play?
Philip Nolan: It was real hard. Every day, every time, I would come to a game, I would just wish that I was out there playing.
Gopher Hole: What things have you been working on to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Philip Nolan: Basically, we haven’t been doing too much as individuals. We have been practicing as a team and working on our plays. We have been working on the little things. I have been working on my post moves. Back to the basket stuff. Just trying to get bigger and stronger.
Gopher Hole: Does it help that you have some other big guys that you can go against in practice, like D’Andre Downey, rather than be the only big man on a team?
Philip Nolan: It does. The big man on our team are pretty competitive, so I knew that even if I couldn’t play at Riverside, that even at practice, I would be playing against the top players in Wisconsin.
Gopher Hole: What is the latest on your recruitment? I know that you were hearing from some schools in the fall, but decided to wait to make your college choice. Who are you hearing from the most?
Philip Nolan: It would be Marquette and Oklahoma. I pretty much re-opened my recruitment. Minnesota started back, too.
Gopher Hole: Have you thought about making some visits or go to any college games this year?
Philip Nolan: I went to the Marquette-Louisville game last Monday. I haven’t given it much thought since the first signing period ended. We are just focusing on playing this year and now I can start looking into it more.
Gopher Hole: Where do things stand academically? You were at Vincent as a sophomore and two prep schools last year. Are you close to qualifying?
Philip Nolan: I am going to qualify. As soon as grades come out, I should be qualified
Gopher Hole: Do you think that you will decide in April during the spring signing period?
Philip Nolan: I might decide before then. I’m not sure yet.
