Oct. 17, 2001
Kareem Rush: Hello, thanks for joining me today for this chat. I'm ready to get going.
Ben (Columbia, MO): Kareem- First off GO TIGERS!!! Just wanted to ask if the team has a different approach to the upcoming season because of all of the high expectations. Do you feel any pressure to perform better? One more thing....How bad will you guys beat KU this year?
Kareem Rush: No. The pressure isn't on us, we just have to go out there and play hard and all that stuff will take care of itself at the end of the season. Hopefully we'll beat KU twice!!
Joe Whitener: Kareem- Who do you think you give you the toughest challenge in the Big XII this year?
Kareem Rush: Everyone knows that KU will be pretty tough, but there are other teams that can be tough too. I think Texas and Oklahoma State and Oklahoma will be really strong.
C.A. : Kareem, first of all how is your hand? and overall health? Was there a specific part of your game you worked on this summer,or one area that you wanted to really improve on? Lastly what are your expectations and goals for this year? Thanks for the excitement and please stick around for your senior year so we can raise that jersey of yours? God Bless
Kareem Rush: The hand is 100% fine, and overall health is great. I really worked hard on my strength and conditioning over the summer and also just trying to become a better basketball player. Our goals are pretty high, we want to contend for the Big 12 championship, and hopefully reach the Final Four, but the season just started, so we have a long way to go to get to that point. We'll see about the senior year!
Brent-Oregon,MO: How much better will the inside play be with the maturation of Travon and Arthur and the addition of Okafor and Ferguson. And how will this benefit your overall game?
Kareem Rush: With Travon improving so much and with Uche (hopefully) and Jeff our post game will be much improved from last year. Hopefully this will keep opponents from keying on me.
cleveland: Do you have a girlfriend?
Kareem Rush: No I don't. I'm concentrating on the season!!
Curtis Thetford (Houston, TX): The sports media seems to be expecting great things of the Tigers this year, but the team is still fairly young.
If you have the all-american season being predicted, any chance you stick around to lead a more mature team next year?
Kareem Rush: We just have to wait and see how the season goes. If all goes well, and if I'm needed back for a second run at a national championship, then who knows!!
Gilman City: Do you think that Wesley Stokes can step in and fill the void left with the loss of Brian Grawer?
Kareem Rush: I think Wesley is primed to step in and take over where Brian left off. He's a great player and he should lead us well.
Nick Bloch: What's up Kareem. Don't worry, I won't ask about how I beat you one on one your Senior year of high school. But seriously, I am curious to know how good the incoming freshman are, and do you think they will have to step of big for you guys to make it to the Final Four. Talk to you later.
Kareem Rush: What's up, Nick? Tell Tim I said What's Up? Stop lying about beating me my senior year!!
Jason Kapono, Los Angeles: I know you will have a good year, but do you honestly think your better than Chip Walther? I hope you got all your fun out of your system at Party Cove this summer.
Kareem Rush: What's up, Kapono? I think I'm a little better than Chip. Anyway, I hope to see you at the Party Cove this summer. I'll be watching you and the Bruins.
Kevin-St. Joseph: I know Coach Snyder is always challenging you guys to improve. What areas have you focused on since last season, and what are your goals in those areas?
Kareem Rush: I think this offseason our biggest improvement has been in strength and conditioning. Coach Wat (Jeff Watkinson) has improved our bodies tremendously, and I believe it will only make us better players.
Kyle, Lubbock: Kareem, You made the decision to stay in College for one more year. What was the main influence in your decision to stay with coach Snyeder and the Tigers?
Kareem Rush: I truly enjoy college. I love being around my teammates and my coaching staff, and I think it was just the best decision for me to improve myself for another year.
Jon Missouri: Kareem , who wins when you play one on one with JaRon
Kareem Rush: Me, of course!!
lavell Blanchard(Michigan): Whats up Rush.I hope you have a good season but this wolverine will be all-american right there with you.
Kareem Rush: What's up, Lavell? I know you'll be right there with me. Good luck this season!
Chad (Dallas): Kareem: I was wondering which player in the big XII last year matched up with you defensively the best, who is the hardest to score on??
Kareem Rush: I think the person who played the toughest defense on me was Kenny Gregory of Kansas. Cookie Belcher was also pretty tough. Too bad they're both gone now!!
Kevin-St. Joseph: Who will be the biggest surprise as far as contribution this year? One of the freshmen, or have any of the returning players improved to the extent they will take it to another level?
Kareem Rush: I think that the biggest surprise will be Travon. He's really improved and is a tremendous player. Also look for a breakout season from Rickey.
Russell(West Lafayette IN): Kareem, you are recieving a lot of hype, do you feel like there is a lot of pressure being put on you and the rest of the Tigers to kave an amazing season?
Kareem Rush: No, there's no pressure on us. We know that we have to perform well, and we wouldn't expect anything less from ourselves.
Matt (Tuscaloosa, Ala.): Hey Kareem, Clarence Gilbert has been saying some nice things in the papers about you being the go-to guy this year. Apparently, he's putting his bad attitude behind him and is ready to dish you the ball more. But my question is this: Are you going to return the favor? When Clarence is hot, he's better than any shooter in the nation. (Don't you agree?)
Kareem Rush: I think Clarence is a tremendous player. I think he's a go-to player on our team, too. Like you said, when he's on, no-one can stop him in the country.
Jon Missouri: Kareem, how do you feel about the Big 12 tourny leaving kansas city after this year?
Kareem Rush: It's sad to it leave, but I think a change of scenery won't hurt. I think Texas is a great place to move it to.
mike Dunleavy(north carolina): Good luck this year Kareem, I really hope to see you this year against us in the final four.I want the chance to shut you down.Good Luck!
Kareem Rush: What's up, Mike? Hopefully we'll get that second showdown. Tell Jason and Coach K I said hello!
geoffrey wilson(ny): hey kareem how do you think missouri will do this yesr? how are the freshmen coming along and what drills would u suggest for a player to do to improve his game on both ends of the court?
Kareem Rush: I think we'll have a successful season as long as we play hard and stay together. The freshmen are coming along, and we're not putting any pressure on them to produce right away. There are a lot of drills that kids can do to improve their games. There are a lot of books out there that are really good for instruction, I can't name them all, but I stress shooting and defense as the basics to become a good player.
TigerMan: Hey Kareem, great to have you as a Tiger. I was wondering how you feel Najeeb and Duane John will fit into our rotation this year. Also, how is Wesley's 3 point shooting coming along?
Kareem Rush: I think they will fit in nicely. I think Najeeb will have the most impact because he can play down low when we need that. Wes is becoming a great shooter. I know he struggled a little last year, but he worked real hard over the summer to improve, and it's showing.
Jon Missouri: Kareem, are you glad that MJ is back, and do you look forward at having the chance to match up against him next year
Kareem Rush: I'm excited to see him come back. I had a chance to play against him this summer, and it was a dream come true. And if I decide to leave next year, I'll get to play against him again.
Albert White(inkster): whats up KRush,from one alumni to another good luck and go TIGERS!
Kareem Rush: What's up, Al? I'll tell AJ and them you said hi.
Kareem Rush: Just got a call from the lockerroom that I have to get downstairs to get ready for practice. Thanks for all of the great questions, and I hope you'll get to watch this year, we're really looking forward to an exciting season.