Sophomore center James Hughes started almost half of the NIU men’s basketball team’s games last season as a redshirt freshman.

In only 15 minutes of action, he averaged 1.77 blocks a game for the 10-20 Huskies.

Hughes talked with the Northern Star about the new season and dunking on his opponents.

Northern Star: What are your expectations for the upcoming season?

James Hughes: We just want to improve. We want to just keep getting better as a team.

NS: Would you consider this a rebuilding year since the team is so young?

JH: Like I said, we just want to get better. We’re a pretty young team, so I guess some people could say that it’s a rebuilding year.

NS: Do you have a pre game routine or any superstitions?

JH: We stretch some and do that same routine every game. I eat the same food, drink the same drink and listen to the same music.

NS: What is more exciting: dunking on someone or blocking a shot?

JH: Dunking on someone, definitely. It lets them know that ‘I’m more powerful than you’ and you can easily tip or block a shot.

NS: Is there anyone in the NBA that you pattern yourself after, or would compare yourself to?

JH: Nobody really, I just play my own game and do my own thing. My favorite player is Kevin Garnett, but I don’t pattern myself after him.

NS: What do you feel like your role on the team is?

JH: I just want to be an enforcer in the paint and block shots. You can’t take any minutes off; you have to be there every minute and every second.

NS: What do you do in the offseason to keep in game shape?

JH: I just run, lift weights and eat a lot for stamina. I try to get bigger and play a lot of pick up games.