Murray State University Athletics
Racers host Media Day
10/25/2005 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Racer head coach Mick Cronin addressed the media prior to the luncheon.
CRONIN ON LAST SEASON: "We really had to start over last year. The hardest thing as a new coach was to not be in first place and to struggle. But truth be told, we probably had the year that we should have had."
ON SHAWN WITHERSPOON: "Shawn was our only returner with any experience and we saw him grow last season. Now, he's in a spot where he's ready to have a tremendous season."
ON SEVERAL NEWCOMERS LAST SEASON: "Everyone else (besides Witherspoon) we brought in was going through (the conference race) for the first time. They didn't have the chance to get indoctrinated to the college level like most people do. We had to play guys before they were ready. The good thing is: this year we don't have to do that. I'm happy; for the first time we're where we need to be. We have all five seniors on track to graduate and they are developing into leaders. It's more about that than points and rebounds."
ON IMPORTANCE OF DEFENSE: "In my first year, we gave up a 41 percent field-goal percentage. Last year, we were seventh or eighth (in the Ohio Valley Conference). If we can't be in the top two or three, the results won't change. Hopefully, our guys are physically stronger and better fundamentally. Yes, we like to run, but you can't run when you're picking the ball out of the net."
ON PRE-SEASON ATTITUDE OF TEAM: "They have learned the hard way that if you don't do the things you're supposed to do, you can't win. Being picked first in the preseason -- that doesn't mean a thing. All it means is that you have a target on your backs for all the other teams to shoot at."
ON IMPORTANCE OF RETURNING NINE LETTERMEN FROM LAST SEASON: "Experience wins. It's just a reality, not only in college, but in the pros as well. It's not just experience, either. You have to be committed players. We won 28 games in '03-04 because we had seniors who were committed to the program and each other. But you have to be willing to pay the price."
ON KEITH JENIFER: "My biggest concern with Keith is his strength. He's most effective at 15 feet. He can get 15-footers all day because of his quickness. Last year, he got shots in the paint but he didn't finish very well. He also knows he's in a competition for playing time. We have to get defensive rebounds and get him going in transition."
ON THE SIX NEWCOMERS: "Hopefully, we won't have to rely on our newcomers. I want them to grow while giving contributions while playing behind an upperclassman. They're learning how to play to their strengths, and what things will get them minutes. I've been pleased with their attitudes."
ON ISSIAN REDDING: "Issian came in in terrible condition last year, but ever since, he has gotten stronger and is better off coming into this season. He's playing a lot at small forward, and that will help us, but his strength and conditioning is much better. He played on a tour of Europe last summer and that helped him, too.”
ON TREY PEARSON: "People last year really focused on him and we relied on him way too much. He can't have 28 points one night and then two the next. He's our best defender and best rebounding guard. He's not going to average 25 points a game. Hopefully, with the improvement of our other guys, he won't be the focus when the opponent has to worry about other players we have."
ON TYLER HOLLOWAY: "When he has to guard guys like Trey and Keith, he won't face anybody all year as quick as those two. I think he'll contribute this season, but so far, I can't remember a time in practice when he's been trapped with the ball. He plays like a veteran. He's low to the ground, he's hard to guard, and he has great court vision. He's fast with the ball, and that's impressive. There's no pressure on him, and we don't have to rely on him in his first year."
