Mike Boynton Jr. press conference after exhibition win over Eastern Michigan

I mean, obviously part of it was Ricky's, you know, um, minute restriction currently coming back from his, uh, just hip situation. We think he'll be fine, but we're just taking it really slow, trying to build up to the game. Um, but I think he just— with any lineup, he just gives you great gravity at the 3-point line. I mean, it's— if you, if you supposed to tag in the pick and roll that Moustapha and Elliott are in, it makes you second-guess that.

I mean, so, um, certainly his size and his ability to offer some rebound force as well gives us another dynamic. Um, he's a weapon. He's a weapon out there, 6'10, that can really shoot the ball. And so he gets it off quick.

I mean, the one note that when he had late was encouraging because I think he just showed his awareness, right? He couldn't take as much time. He missed it badly, but it's something we're going to watch tomorrow and try to figure out how to get that thing a little bit more accurate.

I think we just talked about finding a better rhythm. Obviously, that was the first time those guys played in this building with our game uniforms on in front of people. So there's naturally— I would have been shocked if we played anywhere close to a flawless first half. I thought we'd be pretty choppy.

I thought we'd have probably a little bit more disconnection in screening and timing of cuts and stuff like that. Even though we played, we just— this setting is different. Obviously at halftime I was encouraged because we talked about some things and then we came out and we executed it a lot better offensively. So it shows this team's able to take in information and then apply it pretty quickly. And that's certainly encouraging moving forward.

I mean, within reason, right? He has as green a light as you can have. But there's also responsibility that comes with that. So, um, I don't expect him to, but if it's abuse and he starts taking bad shots or shots that aren't high quality or shots within our offense, then we'll have to have a conversation.

Um, I don't expect him to do that knowing his character and that he wants to win first and foremost. Um, but he doesn't have a whole lot of restrictions from our coaching staff.