The Oberlin Review
<< Front page Sports December 2, 2005

In The Locker Room with Matt Godwin
 
 

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.
 
 

   

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