Tennessee center Miles Rubin met with the media for his first formal media availability last Thursday following the Vols’ practice open to the media.
A Loyola (Chicago) transfer, Rubin averaged 11.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 blocks per game last season and is poised to play a major role in Tennessee’s front court next season.
Meeting with the media, Rubin discussed Tennessee’s front court, his impressions of playing for Rick Barnes and much more. Here’s everything Rubin said.
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On if the dunk he had on DeWayne Brown during Thursday’s practice was the best he’s had this summer
“I think so, so far. I mean, I haven’t had a lot of chances, but I feel like if I get opportunities like that, I feel like I can produce those all the time.”
On what it’s been like facing DeWayne Brown in practice
“It’s been good. I mean, playing against a big body like him. I feel like he’s getting me prepared to play against bigger people in the conference and also playing with him, I feel like is also a plus because he creates room for me in the paint. Just good playing with them.”
On how he would describe the front court
“I feel like we have an underrated front court. I feel like a lot of people are counting us out and don’t think that we have a better front court than there is in this conference, but I feel like we can prove them wrong and show them that we have one of the best front courts in the conference.”
On why he feels that way
“I feel like we just work harder than a lot of people. Out work everybody and I feel that if we do that we can be one of the best.”
On Dai Dai Ames saying they will bring Chicago toughness to the team
“I feel like it’s very true. I mean, me and Dai Dai come from Chicago. I feel like that’s a very tough place and a lot of tough players come from out of there. So I feel like if we just hold the physicality and just be tough on everybody and hold everybody accountable, I feel like we will be good.”
On watching Felix Okpara and other Vols get drafted
“It give me a lot of motivation, I mean, seeing them get drafted such as Felix, I mean, that’s probably a big one. I feel like my name resembles him a lot in many aspects, and I feel like if he gets drafted here, I feel like I also get drafted here if I put in the work and the time.”
On what it’s been like playing for Coach Barnes
“It’s been tough, but it’s been worth it. I mean, I came here to get better and try to be the best player I can, so him trying to push me every day, I feel like that’s great.”
On playing with so many ball handlers
“It’s good. I mean, a lot of ball handlers, I feel like I can trust them with the ball. I don’t have to play on ball as much as I did previously, but I feel like it’s good. They can feed me the ball, and pass the ball to me in different positions and I feel like it’s just easier on everybody else.”
On if there’s anyone in particular that he’s building chemistry with
“I feel like me and Dai Dai, we always had chemistry. I mean, we’ve been playing together since middle school days so I feel like me and we have pretty good chemistry.”
On reuniting with Ames
“It’s crazy. I mean, I wouldn’t think that this would ever happen to be honest. But it’s pretty crazy playing with them that we played in middle school and now we’re playing in college.”
On if they talked before committing to Tennessee
“I mean, we both came on a bit at the same time, so I feel like we both understood, like, oh, yeah, Coach Barnes was the best for us. He wants us to be the best player we can, so I feel like we both understood that, like, we should just both come here and try to win.”
On if it feels like Tennessee has built an all-star team
“Yeah, I feels like it’s an AAU team, everybody coming from different areas. Some players in the same areas, but I feel like we all want to come together and can come win big here and try to win a national championship. I think that’s the goal.”
On if Dai Dai Ames has always been good in late shot clock situations
“Yeah, I mean, I played him in high school a lot of times and he hit a lot of big shots against us in clutch moments, so I feel like that’s a pretty good skill set to have for him.
On seeing Rick Barnes in and out of practice
“I mean, in practice he’s tough. He’s always the same person. He’s always gonna go 100%. Always going to be on you. But he’s always going to want the best for you at the same time. He might be yelling at you one time, but he’s always wants the best. Off the court he’s just a funny, goofy person. I feel like he just wants everybody to be together and be a family together off the court.”
On if there’s anyone in the front court he’s particularly excited to play with
“I feel like everybody, to be honest, in the frontcourt. We all have some good chemistry together and I feel like we’re all going to gel together when time comes.”
On what he sees from Braedan Lue so far
“He’s good. He’s like a Swiss Army knife, he can do everything on the ball, off the ball. He can dribble. He can shoot, he can attack the rim, he can go dunk if he wants to. I feel like he’s a great addition to this team.”
