Sophomore guard Matt Godwin is one of the premier three-point shooters in
the country. Godwin once shot more three-pointers in a single game than did the
entire opposing team. Godwin sat down with senior correspondent Matt Kaplan to
comment on Yeomen basketball, Chicago hoops, and the history behind the
“Matt Godwin Looks Like Stewie From Family Guy Group” on
Facebook.
MK: Your head coach goes by the name “Happy Dobbs.” Does he
live up to this “Happy” billing? How did he earn the nickname
“Happy?”
MG: Ha, yes, he lives up to his name. He always has a
smile on his face. Except when we aren’t doing as well as we should.
It’s pretty obvious how he got his name, his personality can only be
described as “happy.”
MK: Happy Dobbs led Villanova deep into the NCAA tournament and was
drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers. Does Coach still have some game?
MG: Oh
yeah, every now and then he will show some of the game. His jump shot is money.
MK: You are one of the top three-point shooters in the NCAC. What is so
special about shooting the ball from 19 feet, nine inches and beyond?
MG:
Well, I am already such a small guy, so it is very difficult for me to score
inside. I had to really work on my outside game. To play the game of basketball,
it is important to be good at something, my expertise just happens to be hitting
the long-range shot.
MK: Your teammates hail from every part of the country. Do you notice
specific tendencies or traits in any of your teammates that are
geographically-related?
MG: Everyone on the team all have their own
personalities and a different view on the world. One major trait that is
geographically related would be the lingo. Can you believe that some of my
southern teammates call pop “soda?”
MK: Basketball enthusiasts say basketball in Chicago is some of the most
physical. How do you characterize Chicago basketball and how do Chicago ballers
compare to those in Los Angeles, New York, Detroit and Cleveland?
MG:
Chicago basketball, I believe, is the best in the world. New York, LA, Detroit
and Cleveland all have great players but in Chicago, there is so much
competition it is ridiculous. Physical is a very good word to describe it. You
could not leave a Chicago basketball court without something on your body
hurting. An even better word to describe Chicago basketball is competitive.
It’s not surprising to see so many Chicago players making it to the NBA.
MK: Oberlin basketball has been rebuilding for a few years now. How close
are the Yeomen from turning the corner and really giving Wooster, Wittenberg or
Ohio Wesleyan a serious run for their money?
MG: I believe that right now the
team has all the components to be contenders against any team we play. All we
need is a little time to gain experience and gel together and we will be on top.
MK: Can I have your thoughts on the 2005-2006 Yeomen basketball team and
what fans and classmates can expect during the season? How does the squad
compare to last year?
MG: Well, because we are such a young team, I expect
there will be a few rough times. We are a very talented team though, so I expect
us to have a successful season. Last year we had very good leadership behind two
great senior captains, and this year we have another great captain in junior
guard Quinton Spencer. The freshmen on the team have added depth and size. This
will be very beneficial because this was a major component we lacked last year.
The team is full of players anxious to work hard to get better as individuals
and as a team, so there is a positive outlook in the locker-room.
MK: Last season against Case Western...you went 7-22 from three-point
range. You shot 22 three pointers in a single game. You shot more
three-pointers than the entire Case Western Team. Tell me, how big did the
basketball look that night?
MG: Haha, well I don’t know what was going
on in my head that night, I guess I just saw a lot of opportunities to shoot the
ball.
MK: I was recently searching The Facebook and came across a group called,
“Matt Godwin looks like Stewie from Family Guy Group.” Where
in the world did this group come from and how did it start?
MG: Haha, well,
for some odd reason a lot of people seem to think I look like Stewie from the
show Family Guy. I think it began when I would wear this shirt that has a
picture of Stewie on it and people began to make the comparison. I don’t
think I look anything like him!
MK: If you don’t look like Stewie, who do you look like?
MG:
Hmm, well, I really don’t think I look too much like anyone, other than my
parents.
MK: Matt, good luck this season. Keep shooting the three-ball with ease.
Any final comments or shameless plugs?
MG: I would just like to invite
everyone out to support the team this season. The more support, the better we
will do.