Penigar named top Aggie in December
Utah Statesman: How important was it to win the Gossner Foods Classic?
Desmond Penigar: It means a lot because this was our tournament, and to win our tournament shows that we don’t lose our home court.
US: Now that Big West Conference play has begun, where do you think the team stands?
DP: We’ve got to work on defense and rebounding, and then we could be at the top of our conference. Right now we are in the middle because right now we have a lot of inexperienced guys who need to get the feel of conference. When they get that we’ll move up.
US: Where do you think is the most difficult place to play in the Big West?
DP: There are a couple of places that are hard to play at. For me, I think it’s [Cal State] Fullerton, because there is not that many people there. It’s hard to get up for those kinds of games, because there are only like 400 people there in the stands, and most of them are for us. The trip to Pacific from Northridge is also a tough trip.
US: How does it feel to be a leader on the team this year?
DP: It feels good to have a responsibility. It’s also tough because everybody is watching your moves, and if you do something wrong coach gets on you more than he would the other guys. It has its benefits and it has its downfalls.
US: How do you think your friends and teammates would describe your
personality?
DP: I don’t know. When you first meet me I’m quiet, I don’t talk that much. When you get to know me, I’m funny. I keep it incognito until you meet me, and then I let my true self come out.
US: If you could play on any team in the NBA, what would it be?
DP: I’ll play on any team as long as I play. I don’t want to sit the bench. I don’t have a favorite team to play for as long as I make it.
US: Is there any athlete you would want to go one-on-one with?
DP: Probably Michael Jordan, the best player in the NBA. If I beat him then everybody would look at me like, ‘OK, he’s the best.’
US: What do you do for fun in Logan?
DP: Go to sleep. There’s not too much to do out here. Just kick it with my boys on the squad. That’s pretty much it.
US: Is there a team not on your schedule that you wish was?
DP: Probably the top teams in the nation — Arizona, Duke, North Carolina — the guys that get all of the publicity. I’d like to play one of those guys.
US: What do you think of the UC Santa Barbara game being on ESPN2?
DP: It’s nice because it’s becoming a rival between Santa Barbara and us. Last year they put us out of the tournament, so it’s going to be a good game. I think a lot of people are going to watch it.
–juag@cc.usu.edu