University of Massachusets Athletics
Q&A With Dante Milligan
February 10, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 10, 2005
Q: What do you think of the University of Massachusetts so far, and are you liking it?
A: It is a good time, but a really big adjustment so far because I'm coming from the University of Pittsburgh which is in the city to a school that is in a very rural area. It's cool, but it is really too early to tell. I haven't even been here a week yet.
Q: Why did you decide to leave Pittsburgh and transfer to UMass?
A: I was unhappy with the situation at Pitt. I was looking for a place that I could come in and contribute where I know they need help in the position that I play (three guard/small forward). I know I will be able to handle what they asked of me to do. I am just looking forward to a fresh beginning.
Q: What type of role are you anticipating having on this team, and what do you consider to be your strengths as a basketball player?
A: It is tough to know what my role is going to be because I haven't started practicing with the team and I don't know the guys that well or what the coaches are expecting of me. I'm willing to do whatever they ask of me, whether that be score, defend, rebound, or take charges. Most of my strengths are shooting, defending and being a good rebounder.
Q: You are sitting out of practice right now with an injury to your right thumb, how is it holding up?
A: The thumb is alright, but it's injured pretty badly. It was an old injury that got re-injured at Pitt in practice this year and just has not had anytime to really heal. There is no rehabilitation I can really do for it, so I just have to rest it, and I will probably have surgery on it soon. I am not going to play anytime soon, so I figure I should just get the surgery out of the way now, so I can start practicing and training.
Q: What do you think of you new teammates so far?
A: Right now, I am just trying to mesh with them and get a good feel for them and let them have a good feel for me. I think things are going really smoothly.
Q: You played against a number of great basketball players in high school and when you played at prep school. Who do you consider to be your toughest opponent you ever played against?
A: The toughest opponent was Luol Deng (NBA rookie for the Chicago Bulls), we used to have some great battles. We are really good friends though, and we work out every summer together still. In high school and prep school, it was a team thing, but there was something always between the two of us in the games. But we are friends and would always meet up after the games and talk. He is going to come out and check out UMass when the Bulls are up in Boston.
Q: Was it those games against Deng that comprise your best basketball memories or is there something else in your career that is especially memorable?
A: Those games are something that I will always remember and be a significant part of my life, but as far as best basketball memories, it would have to be winning the high school championships.
Q: Pittsburgh made it to the Sweet 16 last year in the NCAA Tournament; where does that rank in memorable moments?
A: That was just a tease! When you get to the NCAA Tournament, you want to go all the way, but trust me, that experience was one of a kind. The atmosphere is just crazy. Fans screaming and coming out of no where, it's just really exciting.
Q: What do you usually do before a game to prepare yourself?
A: I just talk to myself and get myself pumped up. I like to think about my family, my mom and my brother. I know that they are watching me and are proud of what I am doing. So that basically motivates me, knowing that there are people there supporting me and hoping I do good.
