Tennessee State Quotes
Coach Cy Alexander
(Opening statements): We got beat by a better team today, Austin Peay played like champions, they played like a team that had not had the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament last year, losing in a two point game to Eastern Kentucky. They came into this game on a mission and they out played us there is nothing else we can say other than they out played us for 40 minutes. They shot the ball exceptionally well shooting 60% from three and 52% from the field so I want to congratulate them. I also want to congratulate our seniors who came to this program bottom of the OVC five years ago and now playing in the championship game. This is certainly a major step for our program and a learning opportunity. As I look at these stats I see two people returning next year. Jerrell Houston with 25 points and 11 rebounds and Darius Cox 12 points seven rebounds, and obviously Gerald Robinson. I want to thank all of our seniors including Bruce Price who had a tremendous year. Reiley Ervin, Moraye Ivy, LaDarious Weaver, and Andrae Belton starting with me four or five years ago and have helped us take this program from the bottom of the OVC to now where we compete in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship game.
Austin Peay Quotes
Head coach Dave Loos
(On the game): These guys have been through some terrific basketball in their time at Austin Peay. A year ago, they were in this position and we were ahead with 18 seconds to go, and behind with three seconds to go. I just wanted them to be able to experience this feeling. They earned the opportunity, they got themselves back in this position and they took full advantage of it.
(On team balance): That’s the strength of our team. On numerous occasions we’ve had five guys in double figures. In the first round against Eastern Kentucky, for example, our top scorers didn’t have big nights but other people stepped up.
(On being targeted all year): It’s tough; there’s a lot of pressure involved there. You know you’re going to get the other teams very best, night in and night out. It’s a tribute to these guys that they were able to withstand that, pretty much the entire year.
(On being in the NCAA Tournament): It’s a great feeling. I was talking to our president (Timothy Hall) earlier today, and we were talking about the exposure we’re going to get. We couldn’t buy that kind of exposure if we could afford it. It’s a great feeling to know you’re going on to the dance.
(On what’s special about this team heading into the tournament): I think the fact they’ve been denied once is a big factor. They’re going to cherish this, because they were awfully close last year.
(On tough nonconference schedule): We don’t dodge anybody with our schedule. Sometimes our record going into conference play is not real pretty, but it prepares us for the conference when we get there.
(On the improvement of team defense): That fires me up, because that’s what I preach. Most coaches lean to one end of the floor or the other, and I lean on defense. For awhile, I was preaching and nobody was listening. What pleases me most about the stretch run is our improvement on defense.
(On Tennessee State): Going into the conference tournament this year, I think everybody was secretly dodging Tennessee State. They beat some really good teams down the stretch and I think everyone was thinking to themselves, “Gosh, I hope we don’t have to face TSU.”
(On the OVC being due to make noise in the NCAA Tournament): We’ve already talked about that. The work’s not done yet. We’re just going to hope for the best seeding and setting we can get, and then we’re going to go out and try to win a game.
(On outscoring TSU’s bench 19-3): It was a problem early on tonight. We weren’t getting any bench production, but we’ve improved greatly with Ernest Fields and (Wes) Channels, who I consider a sixth starter, and Caleb Brown getting comfortable, I feel good about our bench.
Senior guard Todd Babington
(On the motivation to win the championship after not making the tournament last year): Ever since that heartbreaker last year, we’ve worked harder than we’ve ever worked. We knew the target would be on our back all year.
(On whether or not anybody had their “dancing shoes” on yet): Yeah, it’s kind of a joke from my brother. I haven’t put them on yet. (From a reporter): You have actual shoes? (Babington): Yeah, they’re right here. (Holds them up, laughing). My dancing shoes, I just haven’t put them on yet.
Senior guard Derek Wright
(On going to the tournament): From the beginning of the season, this is what we had our minds set on. We’ve been denied, and I’m just happy for my coaches and my teammates.
Senior forward Fernandez Lockett
(On making TSU guard Bruce Price a nonfactor): That was all Kyle Duncan. He was on him all game and did a great job. Taking Price out of the game was a huge factor; if (Jerrell) Houston was going to beat us, he would have to beat us.