Murray State University Athletics
Down the Stretch They Come-Racers Battle For OVC Spot
2/19/2007 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Murray State Head Coach Billy Kennedy met with members of the media today at the Racer Room in Stewart Stadium to talk about the up and down week for the Racers when they lost last Wednesday at home in overtime to Tennessee State, but came back to win at Rider Saturday in Lawrenceville, N.J. in the ESPNU BracketBusters event. The Racers are 11-7 and in the thick of the
Here are some Coach Kennedy's comments.
What do you think about the Thursday game with
Out of all the teams we've played they (Tennessee Tech) look like they're at the different level. That's because they have mostly juniors and seniors. It starts with offensive rebounds and if we can hold them down. In past games if we do that we probably win the game. Most teams in this league play three guards, but Tech has tremendous players at the three, four and the five spots and we will have to do a good job of controlling tempo and being more disciplined on offense. They've outscored a lot of teams that go right at them; I don't think we have the power to do that. We can make you miss, but can't get the rebound a lot of times.
What does it say about the Racers that you have a chance to still get a high finish in the OVC?
It says we have good young talent. To bring in so many new guys like we did, it menas we have built some maturity, if we get maximum play out of Witherspoon and our five position, we can make a run. In the Rider game we limited some of our players minutes, hopefully that will get their attention that we need to be more disciplined with the ball.
Freshman Danero Thomas has shown improvement, especially lately. Is this a surprise?
Not to me. Defensively he's doing the things I want him to do. He could've had 25 against Rider, he missed some open shots. He's coming along really nice and I like what he's doing on both ends of the floor.
Most coaches like to start their seniors on senior night, is that what you'll do?
We will start those three. (Shawn Witherspoon, Dwayne Paul and Ed Horton) Dwayne has helped us win some games, but he'll have a difficult match up against Tech. He has been outstanding and we'll reward that kind of character.
Talk about the Racers Saturday game at UT-Martin?
Everybody has struggled at UT-Martin. They shoot better at their place. Gerald Robinson is one of the best players in this league and he had a good night against us the first time. He can play the three spot and he's 6-8. He makes threes and scores. They present some problems for us. They've got nothing to lose; it's their last game of the season. This time of year you've got to play good and win, it doesn't matter when you play or where. We got some positives out of the Rider game and hopefully can keep that going.
Some of them still may be sleeping, I don't know. All four (OVC games) losses at home say we're not awake. In that particular game, you're playing a team that has a lot of talent. Belton and Weaver were 9-15 from three range and Clarence Matthews got four offensive rebounds in the overtime, and we didn't put them away when we had a chance and it cost us. They are a very dangerous team in the tournament.
MSU still controls its own destiny. Does that make you feel better?
That's been our situation throughout the year; we need to take care of our own business and play well at home. If we play a little more disciplined at home we can win some games. The question is - will we play well in the last seven or eight minutes when then game is on the line?
What does the team need to do to finish up strong?
We've got to get a good performance from George, Witherspoon and Carter. If we do, we can be really good. If not, Williams, Horton, Thomas and Holloway will have to have great games. We've been average at times this season. If they do what we ask them to do then we can be successful.
Part of it is scouting. Everybody knows if he has a big game we're probably going to win. We haven't gotten consistent play from a lot of our players, but
Can you comment about the crazy OVC race?
Austin Peay has separated themselves from the rest of the league by being the most consistent team. But I'm telling you they could lose to whoever is the eight seed is in the tournament. And that could be anybody in the league this year. I don't fear anybody in our league and I doubt if anyone fears us. That's unusual to be in a situation like that this time of year.
