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Banquet and Press Conferences: FHSU vs. UCO
3/14/2008
The Banquet and Press Conferences: FHSU vs. UCO
Tarleton State hosted the pre-tournament press conferences and a banquet on Friday night for all eight teams. The press conferences were held in an adjoining room in the student union and each coach provided an opening statement before questions followed.
The coaches went in order of the games, so Fort Hays head coach Mark Johnson and University of Central Oklahoma head coach Terry Evans both talked about their teams first. Johnson spoke about the team’s reliance on the 3-point shot and the turnaround, led by Tyrone Evans, after the 1-3 start in the MIAA.
Fort Hays finished the MIAA season 11-6 (including postseason conference tournament) after the 1-3 start. Earlier this week, back in Hays, Johnson said this was a “surprise season,” a statement he echoed again Friday night.
“We are a year ahead of where we thought we would be,” Johnson said.
Evans discussed his top player, Sam Belt, averaging over 19 points per game, and his red-hot Bronchos, winners of 16 of their last 17 games and six in a row. On Tuesday, Johnson discussed how the Tigers will guard Belt, a player that can play inside and outside.
Johnson said Belt and Emporia’s DeAndre Townsend, a first team all-MIAA player, are the two best offensive players the Tigers have seen this season.
“(Belt) has probably taken advantage more of big guys and getting them outside so it could be anybody (that will guard him),” Johnson said. “Jake Sims is a candidate, Corbin Kuntzsch is a candidate, Tim Peintner, LaTravis Turner, of those four guys, we have to find someone that can slow him down.”
“I think he is going to try and post those guys because he is bigger than all four of those guys,” Johnson added. “We are going to have to come after him hard and make him get rid of the basketball.”
Central Oklahoma actually shoots the 3 more frequently than Fort Hays and will likely play a faster pace than some of the other first round games.
“Especially when you get to the postseason, games are going to slow down,” Johnson said. “I think that Central Oklahoma probably plays a little quicker pace.”
Even though UCO makes for 3s, Southwest Baptist, a team that plays at a fast pace and the conference leaders in scoring offense, is the only regional team that is better than Fort Hays in total 3s and 3-point field goal percentage.
The eight region teams (3-pointers made)
1. Central Oklahoma 265
2. SBU 261
3. Fort Hays 229
4. Northwest Missouri 223
5. Tarleton State 197
6. St. Edwards’ 191
7. West Texas A&M 186
8. St. Mary’s 114
The eight region teams in 3-pt FG (the top three are all in the top 34 in the country)
1. St. Edwards’ 39.6
2. SBU 39.2
3. Fort Hays 38.8
4. Northwest Missouri State 35.9
5. West Texas 35.8
6. Central Oklahoma 35.2
7. Tarleton State 32.8
8. St. Mary’s 32.2
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | W 17-5 |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | L 4-3 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 15-7 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 5-4 |
| SB | 5/02 | Central Missouri | L 3-1 |
| SB | 5/02 | Missouri Western | W 3-2 |
| SB | 5/01 | Pittsburg State | W 6-0 |
| SB | 5/01 | Emporia State | L 11-0 |
| BB | 4/30 | Kansas Wesleyan | W 14-1 |
| BB | 4/30 | Kansas Wesleyan | W 12-2 |
