Summer Break with Tony Crocker

Aug. 9, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - He started more basketball games last year (25) than any of his teammates. He scored at least 14 points on nine occasions. He led the team in 3-point percentage. He netted 19 points against Villanova and 18 more on two other occasions. He was 3-for-4 from behind the 3-point arc in a Big 12 Championship game against Iowa State and finished with 15 points and five assists.

The player was not a veteran -- wasn't a senior, wasn't a junior, wasn't even a sophomore. He was Tony Crocker, a true freshman who was tossed into the fire as a first-year Sooner. Usually it was the opponent who got burned.

Averaging 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest while shooting .450 from the field, .357 from long distance and .741 from the free throw line, Crocker had one of the better OU true freshman campaigns in recent memory.

The 6-5, 191-pound guard, who was born in Lawton, Okla., and moved to San Antonio, Texas, while in middle school, visited with SoonerSports.com this week to discuss his progress this summer, his teammates and the upcoming OU season.

How are you occupying your time this summer outside of basketball?
"Outside of basketball, I've just been watching a lot of television and I've also been swimming a lot lately. I went to class in both June and July. I took an eight-week English course, and I think I should get an A."

What are some aspects of your game you are trying to improve on this summer?
"I have really been working on shooting and ball handling. I'm also trying to stay in shape so I don't get tired as fast. I've been lifting weights all summer to try and put on a little weight. Darby Rich's strength and conditioning program works you well."

What can this team do better to improve on a year ago?
"I think we need to start games better. Last year we got off to slow starts and had to work our way back in the games. If we start out on top from the get-go then we will be a lot better. We have better depth this year on the inside and outside so we can do a lot more stuff. We can do a lot more running and can sub in and out more this year."

Talk about what you have seen out of the newcomers so far.
"All of them look nice. Blake (Griffin) is really big down low, Cade (Davis) can shoot it really well -- he is just an athlete. Tony (Neysmith) is an athlete and he can handle the ball. Omar (Leary) is good, quick and can shoot. I can see him running the point because he can handle it really well. Then there is Ryan (Wright) who dunks everything."

Previous Summer Break Q&A's
David Goldbold (6/21) | Longar Longar (6/29) | Taylor Griffin (7/11) | Austin Johnson (7/19)

Talk about the excitement of playing non-conference teams like Gonzaga, West Virginia, Arkansas and USC and the possibility of playing high-profile teams such as Connecticut, Kentucky and Memphis in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.
"It's going to be fun. Last year, we played a few ranked teams. It's always fun to play those games. You get hyped up for games like those more than others. Knowing that we are playing those really good teams makes us want to work harder in the off-season. We don't want to go out there and not win. We're going to play those good teams expecting to win."

What's your favorite meal of the day and what is your favorite food to eat at that meal?
"I would say dinner. I have been eating a lot of pastas lately. Chili's has some good stuff. When I go there I get the cajun chicken pasta."

Who did you look up to as a basketball player growing up?
"I liked (Michael) Jordan. I just really liked watching him play and watching his games. I just tried to go out there and play as much as I could."

You were one of two players on this team who honored your commitment to OU when Jeff Capel was hired as head coach. Can you talk about that decision?
"I think it was a good decision and I think I had a good year. Keith (Clark) didn't really get to play much because of his knee injury. I think it was a good decision for both of us. We came to a place where we could play. I wanted to come to OU regardless, and so did he. It worked out well for both of us. I just wanted to go to Oklahoma. Coach Capel and Coach (Mark) Cline came and talked to me and my mom. They were cool so I knew this is where I wanted to go."

What are your expectations for the team next year?
"I expect us to have 20-plus wins and make it to the NCAA Tournament. Not only go to the Tournament, but make a run in the Tournament. We just want to do a lot of big things next year."

What is your favorite part of playing basketball at OU?
"Long road trips. I like the games that are far away. I love to play at someone else's gym when they keep booing you. It's fun. Some of the stuff the other teams' fans say, you just let it go and you have to laugh at. I enjoy all that noise."

With a lot of newcomers on the team, talk about how your role will change and how you will be expected to be a team leader.
"A few of them ask me questions and I try to help them. I know what I have messed up on, so I make sure they don't make the same mistakes. I talk to Cade (Davis) because he asks me questions the most about the game and about moves to the basket. I'm not really a vocal leader, but they can look at me and do what I do. The other guys can lead by talking, but I'm not that vocal. I like being a leader to the young guys, and I accept it."

What game stands out in your mind from last year that was either a big win or a game in which you personally played well?
"I know there were a few games where I played well but we didn't win, so those don't count. I think the Iowa State game, when we played them in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, was a big game for everybody because we had to play without Mike Neal who was sick. Everyone came together and played really well. That was a pretty big game because it got us to the next round."

If you could choose any opponent in the country to play against, who would it be?
"North Carolina. They are a big basketball school and everybody would expect them to be better than us. Just to go and beat them would be cool. I would want to go beat them on their home floor."

Have you decided on a major yet and have you thought much about what you'd like to do after your basketball playing days are done?
"No, I'm not sure what I want to do yet. I think maybe some job in sports. I don't know if I can coach because I'm really not a talker."

What excites you the most about the upcoming season?
"I'm looking forward to all the games, playing with the new guys. Everyone is good so it is going to be fun to watch for everybody -- the fans and us. I'm also really looking forward to the schedule we are playing. It should be a fun year."

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