Mathieu (#4) says new teammates Malik Smith (#30) and McNeil (#5) are the two funniest guys on the team. (photo courtesy of Pionner Press)
When Coach Richard Pitino arrived on campus, he immediately began recruiting guards that could help this season. One of his first calls was to junior college point guard DeAndre Mathieu. The Tennessee native not only answered that call, but signed with the Gophers and now finds himself as the likely starting point guard for the next two seasons.
GopherHole’s Nadine Babu caught up with Mathieu to learn more about his path to Minnesota, his acclimation to the Midwest and a three inch height discrepancy that he’s having to deal with!
GopherHole: Can you talk about your role with this team?
DeAndre Mathieu: I think I can be a really good point guard for this team, get the ball to the right guys at the right spots and score a little bit.
GopherHole: How did you end up with Minnesota?
DeAndre Mathieu: Coach Pitino and Coach Kimani recruited me really hard. I felt good about them and the style of play here and decided it was the best fit.
GopherHole: What were the big selling points about Minnesota?
DeAndre Mathieu: The style of play was a big selling point. Playing in the Big Ten which is probably the best conference.
GopherHole: What have you learned from Andre and Austin?
DeAndre Mathieu: I learned that I have to have a toboggan here since it’s going to be really bold (laughs). No, I’ve learned that people here are really nice and they showed me what to do, they’ve really helped. With the new coach, we’re all learning, but it’s been fun hanging with the guys.
GopherHole: Who’s your roommate?
DeAndre Mathieu: Malik Smith.
GopherHole: What can you tell me about Malik Smith that we may not know?
DeAndre Mathieu: He’s out of his mind. He and McNeil are the two funniest on the team. We’re always together. Malik is crazy, he listens to crazy music. Every morning he’s got crazy music. It’s all fun, and I’m just loving it.
GopherHole: What are you working on the most with your game?
DeAndre Mathieu: My jump shot and putting a little more weight.
GopherHole: How big are you now?
DeAndre Mathieu: I think I’m 6-foot, but they say I’m 5-9. I really think I’m 5-11, 6-foot. I weigh 166 and I want to get to 170-172.