Wednesday, Nov. 19

Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino, Welcome Reception

It was nice getting down here. We put our bags down, and relaxed a little bit. We had an hour of study hall, and then had a film session to take a look at who we’re playing. I got to see my family, and spent three or four hours with them before our film session. They’re about 20 to 25 minutes away [from the hotel], so I got to eat for a little bit, talk to them, see how everything is going. I’m hoping I can see them tomorrow after our game, get a couple of hours with them, go back to my house, go around and see the neighbors.

It was nice to come off the airplane and feel the hot weather. I’m used to that. It’s also great to see different things and remember things I used to do when I was a kid. I never got to San Juan much when I was a kid. My dad took me around here a couple times a year.

It’s a little different playing in Puerto Rico. But it’s still the same thing in my mind; it’s a road tournament. It’s business for me being down here. I want to win the games, that’s my main objective. I’ll have time to see my family later on, but now is not the time to get off track and start losing games. We’ve still got a mission, and that mission is to win every game out there. So for me, I’m still focused on that.

My teammates have been pretty focused on what we have to do, and that’s playing basketball. But they have been asking me some questions about Puerto Rico. Like, how close are different things to us, and where is a good beach to visit. But, they still know the main thing we’ve got to do is win games. They’ve been doing a great job of preparing for the tournament.

That’s it for now. I’ve got to get ready for our game Thursday against a tough Fairfield team.

Thursday, Nov. 20

Game 1, vs. Fairfield | Coliseo de Puerto Rico

We won today, 74-57. I thought we played really well. We had spurts during the game when we didn’t execute very well and let them come back in the game. But, overall, I thought we did a very good job. It looked like the team moved a little forward today. It’s a good time for us.

As for me, I finished with 24 points. I got the shots that I wanted to take. I got open and knocked them down. It’s something I’ve been concentrating on—shooting the ball. So, I think it was a good performance. Hopefully I can repeat it two more times.

There weren’t that many people in the stands for our game, so it wasn’t easy for everyone to get energized. It was important for us to win, so we didn’t need a crowd to get pumped up.

Everybody was ready to play. Everyone was focusing on the goal—playing a good game. I already told my teammates that we’re going to have a good time Friday after our game, since we’ve got Saturday off. But I told them we’ve got to take care of Friday’s business first.

It’s great having my family in the stands. I’ve got my parents, uncles, cousins, even friends I grew up with, at the game. In all, I’ve got about 25 Vassallo supporters in the stands, which makes me really happy. Even people I couldn’t get tickets for showed up for the game.

As for the rest of the day, I’m going to hang out with my family and watch the first half of the Xavier-Missouri game. We play the winner Friday. After that, I may go back to the hotel with them and grab a bite to eat. Then, it’s back to work, which means watching film.

We’ll chat again Friday, hopefully after our second win!