Murray State Quotes
Billy Kennedy
(Opening Statement): You’ve got to give credit to Tennessee State they played extremely well they had good production off their bench they had good production from every player on their team and they were a very tough opponent tonight. It’s unfortunate that we did not play well, foul trouble hurt us and we had different line ups on the floor that we usually don’t have and our starting 1-2 went one for ten from the field and that’s tough to overcome. We wouldn’t of even had any opportunity to be in the game or possibly win the game with out Bruce Carter and Ray George. Whose performance tonight as well as the last month both of these guys did a tremendous job of leading our team and demonstrating character and putting us in a position to win. Unfortunately we just didn’t play well enough against a good Tennessee State team.
(On his disappointment in the loss): You’ve got to play your best, it’s a one game shot and we just didn’t play well. We started off the game with seven turnovers and the foul trouble was big we really had a hard time containing dribble penetration with Bruce Price. He found the right guys.
Ray George
(On the opportunity to play at Murray): I love (Coach Kennedy) for the opportunity that he gave me to play on the Division I level. I’ve been through my trials and tribulations like everybody else in this world and I’ve just tried to overcome them. He gave me the opportunity, I thank him for just any type of exposure so I can showcase my talent. I’ve put myself in a situation to graduate and that’s the most important thing anyway.
(On his focus): I didn’t look in the crowd, I just focused on the game. The only time I looked up was to check the score board or to see what play coach was calling. I just block everything out, I honestly don’t hear anything but my teammates. Murray State has got some great fans, I’ve seen them in the hotel lobbies, some of them even ride with us on the bus, so I knew they were there and be there supporting us.
Tennessee State Quotes
Coach Cy Alexander (Tennessee State)
(On James Craft’s big game): You coach by gut feeling. This morning at shoot around, he (Craft) could not miss. My gut said “Go with him as the first big man off the bench,” and he wasn’t missing tonight either. He not only made some tough shots, but he made some shots tough for Murray State on the inside.
(On the turning point of the season): The home game against Murray State, we were losing by 13 points. We went on a 19-1 run and from that point on we have been believing in each other. The next night, we beat Austin Peay at home and have been on a roll ever since.
(On getting Bruce Price back from injury): I just commend him because of his persistence. I don’t know if anybody in this room could go through two years of rehab and not be able to play. He stayed in class and he’ll graduate and hopefully have an opportunity to play ball somewhere next year but if not, he’ll have a diploma from Tennessee State.
(On Murray State’s Ray George scoring 25 points off the bench): Ray George is the TSU personal assassin. You look at his stats; he doesn’t make threes against anybody else but us. He’s not that great of a three-point shooter, but he sees TSU and he lights up. He had a great night.
(On the championship game against Austin Peay): I have the utmost respect for Dave Loos and the Austin Peay program. I want to pattern our program after his. He recruits solid, hard working players and develops them. If we don’t bring our A-game and a certain amount physical and mental toughness, we can’t compete.
Senior guard Bruce Price (Tennessee State)
(On responding to Murray State’s run in the second half): We just stayed poised. We deal with adversity a lot of times, so this wasn’t something we weren’t used to dealing with. We knew they were going to make a run; it’s a basketball game, we can’t beat them 100-0.
(On big second half): Being a leader, my team looks for me to make plays for them and for myself. James Craft made some big plays, and I knew if I got him the ball he could knock down the shot.
(On being one game away from the NCAA Tournament after missing two years due to injury): It was definitely worth the wait. It’s hard work and persistence, knowing I could get back and my team rallied around me.
Forward James Craft (Tennessee State)
(On team’s Mohawks): We got them before we started this tournament; it’s basically a team unity thing. Everybody getting them symbolizes all of us being there for each other, working hard, and doing the best we can.