What They're Saying

* Holtmann on what UNC-Pembroke brings -- “The team we’re playing is good. They won 27 games last year and return basically four double-figure scorers. They are athletic. We wanted to play a good team. We just felt like that would be important for this group of guys. Looking at them on film, that’s what they are. They are a good team that is disciplined and athletic.

“If you win 27 games at the Division II level, you’re a good team. I’m sure they will be ranked for a good portion of the season. We’ll have to be ready.”

* Holtmann on his team’s three-point acumen – “I think in the scrimmage the other day, we had seven different guys make a three. We didn’t have one guy make 14. I think that’s, in particular, what you’re looking for in your team as opposed to one or two guys who can shoot or multiple guys.

“We will still, obviously, play through the post and use our guys in there like Kaleb who can score. We will continue to drive the ball.”

* Holtmann on his team’s knowns – “Kaleb, Andre and C.J. are all guys who have played really important minutes and extended, productive minutes on a good team. We know that right there. Other guys that we have returning at various times had productivity for us from Micah (Potter) to Musa (Jallow) to Kyle (Young).

“Then you have a guy with Keyshawn who has shown an ability to do some things at a high level. Any time you have a team picked lower in their league, typically there are a lot of questions. Maybe not enough guys have done it for an extended period. We have shown some guys who have shown the ability to make contributions on a good team.”

* Holtmann on Andre Wesson having a chance to contribute more scoring – “We expect his output to increase and he will be involved more. His minutes will be more consistent. He played a lot of minutes last year. We will need Andre to score the ball for us. He needs to be a guy who, at times, can be a double-figure scorer. I believe that and I think he is capable of that.”

* Holtmann on Young emerging at power forward – “Kyle did some good things for us last year. We will see now with his role being increased with Keita (Bates-Diop’s) absence. He has done some good things in practice. Kyle will be a work in progress like most young guys are.”

* Jackson on players accepting their roles – “They will be learned throughout the year. We have been practicing for a month, so we know everyone’s strengths and weaknesses and with the new guys. Throughout the year, guys will be called to do different things. We’ll have to wait and see what the young guys can bring to the table.”

* Andre Wesson on what he can bring this year – “With the departures we had, I know I have to step up with my playmaking ability and my scoring. I don’t think it differs that much because I will do whatever my team needs me to do to win. That’s my main focus.

“Even if that is scoring a little bit more or rebounding a little bit more, it will be whatever it takes. I have worked a lot on my offensive game. I’m fairly confident in my game.”

* Wesson on what the Buckeyes get from the exhibition – “We want to go out there and compete as hard as we can for ourselves and the university. What happens happens. If we go out and compete as hard as we can, it should be a good result.”