Syracuse, N.Y. — Jim Boeheim voiced concerns last season about Michael Gbinije's quiet on-court persona.
The Syracuse coach wanted Gbinije to be more vocal, more insistent as he directed his teammates from the point guard position.
Gbinije, three years removed from his days at Duke, has had no such trouble expressing himself off the court. He will star this season for syracuse.com on Fast Breaks with Michael Gbinije, with help from freshman Kaleb Joseph. The Gbinije-led internet show continues a tradition that started years ago with Wes Johnson and Scoop Jardine.
To sample what might be in store for you this season, watch this pilot episode, videotaped at Syracuse's basketball media day last week. Gbinije riffs with teammates on subjects as diverse as Fluffy the Cat, the 45-inch vertical club, forehead tattoos and prairie dogs. And, of course, he solicits opinions about a certain No. 0 on the Orange team.
"He's crazy," was Rakeem Christmas' estimation after his interview session with Gbinije.