Coach Jeff Battle Talks Freshman, Transfers, & Defense with Big East Vault

“Offensively we’ll be fine, but defensively is where we have to take the next big step”

Georgetown Hoyas Associate Head Coach Jeff Battle sat down with Big East Vault for a preseason interview this week and addressed several key topics about the program, the transfers, the freshmen, and more. For Hoyas fans starved for GU content and insider insights into the team, this is must-see-TV. Be sure to watch, paying special attention to the end with some notes about Drew Fielder and Drew McKenna’s growth and development.

Battle offered a mixed bag of news for Hoyas faithful. While acknowledging the team learned from last year’s struggles, Battle offered no guarantees of improvement. The return of Jayde Epps, Drew Fielder, and Drew McKenna is a plus, but Epps faces pressure to improve defensively and emerge as a leader, a question mark for a team that needs both.

Battle said, “Offensively we’ll be fine, but defensively is where we have to take the next big step.” No kidding.

Battle notes that the transfer portal offered some hope with offensive weapon Malik Mack and defensive specialist Micah Peavy, but their impact remains to be seen. The highly-rated freshmen will be expected to contribute, but relying on rookies in the BIG EAST is admittedly a gamble. With the transfer portal a constant threat to roster stability in the future, Battle offered no clear path forward, leaving fans with more questions than answers about the upcoming season and beyond.

Here are some other key points:

Reflections on last season (1:18-1:49):

• Challenging year, but a learning experience.
• Focused on building program culture and instilling core values.

Importance of returning players (2:14-2:34):

• Praised returning players (Epps, Fielder, McKenna) for their commitment to the program.
• Emphasized the value of their leadership and experience.

Focus on Jaden Epps’ development (3:50-4:16):

• Acknowledged Epps’ role as a focal point last season.
• Highlighted the need for Epps to improve defensively.

Impact of transfer Malik Mack (5:14-5:27):

• Views Mack as a dynamic guard who can play on and off the ball.
• Believes Mack will alleviate some offensive pressure from Epps.

Importance of defense (4:30-5:00, 6:00-6:26):

• Stressed the need for overall improvement on defense.
• Identified Epps and Mack as needing to set the defensive tone.

Newcomer Micah Peavy’s leadership and versatility (6:33-6:51):

• Praised Peavy’s leadership and defensive abilities.
• Sees potential for offensive development from Peavy.

Quality of recruiting class (7:45-8:18):

• Highlighted the maturity and talent of the incoming freshmen.
• Believes freshmen will contribute right away.

Development of Drew Fielder (10:00-10:14):

• Expects a big jump from Fielder due to physical improvements.
• Believes Fielder will play a significant role this season.

Roster development philosophy (11:42-12:54):

• Acknowledged the uncertainty of the transfer portal landscape.
• Prioritizes coaching the current roster and maximizing their potential.
• Committed to fighting and competing this season with the current group.

Give the YouTube a watch (and last year’s interview) and give Nathan and Big East Vault a follow.