By Nick Veronica

Interviews following Canisius’ season-opening 64-60 win over Vermont…

Canisius coach Jim Baron

Baron touched on a wide range of issues, from winning the first game without his son, Billy, to the play of freshman point guard Jan Grzelinski and winning with a crop of newcomers.

“If you look at our [stat] sheet, a lot of these guys, who are these guys?” Baron asked rhetorically.

Baron also said he missed having Billy next to him during the national anthem.

“First time in seven years I haven’t had one of my sons playing for me,” Baron said. “Very tough. I knew [Billy] could pull us out.

“Usually he stands next to me at the national anthem. And when I looked over and I didn’t see him…” Baron trailed off. “We had just talked today. He said ‘Dad, good luck.’ It was kind of touchy.”

Baron said after the interview that Billy’s coach in Lithuania doesn’t speak any English.

Canisius players Jan Grzelinski, Jamal Reynolds, Phil Valenti

First question for Wroclaw, Poland native Jan Grzelinski: What’s the right way to pronounce your name? (Do not attempt without adult supervision.)

Valenti said after losing to Daemen, practice this week was “same old.” He was funny on the next question — asked if his career-high 24 points is something he can do regularly or if it was just a good day, he leaned in and asked, seemingly very concerned, “What do you mean?” To say, “Why wouldn’t it?” Reynolds laughed. (1:13)

I conveniently ran out of storage space mid-interview … Grzelinski talked about adjusting to the American game and Valenti said his ankle is now 100 percent after a sprain kept him out of the first exhibition.

Vermont coach John Becker

Becker on guard Ernie Duncan, who labored through 10 minutes Saturday after sitting out the last game with a back injury: “You saw him out there. He looked like an 80-year-old man.”