Sportaholic 2012 Final Four Round-Table Debate

After a tumultuous three weeks of the NCAA tourney, the Final Four has finally been cast for New Orleans. We have an overwhelming favorite in the Kentucky Wildcats, a hot team riding a wave of momentum in Louisville, a solid and consistent team in Ohio State, and last but not least a tough and rugged Kansas team. Every one of these teams have at least one championship under their belt so for the most part you can say this is a blue-blood rich national semi-final. The four finalists have combined for an astonishing 49 Final Four appearances and 14 National Championships. Ohio State has the longest drought in the championship department as they won their one and only championship in 1960 led by the great John Lucas. Kansas was the last of the teams to win a ring in 2008 which by Jayhawks fans is probably an eternity.

This makes for interesting blend of storylines as both of the match ups feature rematches from earlier in the season. Kentucky defeated Louisville Dec. 31st 69-62 and score isn’t really indicative of how much the Wildcats dominated that game. Kansas took down a Jared Sullinger-less Ohio State team 78-67 back on December 10th. You can throw all that out the window though as the previous battles mean absolutely nothing more than each team knows what the other team likes to do. Kentucky and Louisville have been playing each other since 1912 so I doubt there are any secrets either can hide from each other at this point.



So with it all down to this, the Sportaholic team has decided to tackle the Final Four with a good old fashioned round-table debate. We have our regular contributors in Carlos Paige, Michael Williams, Quawn Dowell and Taylor Cannon but we also are shaking things up by welcoming new Sportaholic contributor Latoya Walton and Tigersportreport.com (of the Memphis Tigers) Adam Douglas in as well.

1. Is it Kentucky against the field at this point?



Carlos Paige Sportaholic Blog Editor and host of Sportaholic Radio Show: Well let’s just say if I were a betting man I would definitely put my money on the Wildcats. They have just steam rolled opponents in the tournament averaging a margin of victory of over 21 points. That’s historic domination. They have the most talented team and the tournament has only made it more evident. John Callapari can’t even screw this one up with his sketchy X’s and O’s so yeah I think this Final Four is basically Kentucky and everybody else.



Adam Douglas of Tigersportsreport:com: I believe it is Kentucky against everyone else. They are just head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. Point blank period.

Michael Williams: Sportaholic blog contributor: I believe it is. I don't think that they will have any trouble handling Louisville and frankly I don't see Ohio State contending with them. My underdog is Kansas. Thomas Robinson looks like a man amongst boys whenever he hits the court and you just gotta root and love for the guy who had everything go wrong for him last season with the unexpected deaths of his grandparents and mother in a span of 30 days.

Latoya Walton: Sportaholic blog contributor: Yes it pretty much seems its Kentucky against the field at this point. In my opinion it’s been this way since the tournament started. No team in the tournament feels they can play with them or beat them everyone is intimidated so it’s us vs. them. The talent on Kentucky’s team is like no other team in the tournament so it’s easy to love to hate them so for me being a Kentucky fan and having to argue with people on a daily basis about their talent it’s pretty safe to say its UK vs. the nation!

Taylor Cannon Sportaholic blog contributor: Yes, Louisville has come off very strong winning the Big East Tournament and just playing well if not inspired ball throughout the tournament. Plus don’t rule out KU who can play tough defense. Coach Calipari has not been able to close the deal either UMASS or Memphis

2. Which Final Four coach would you choose to lead your team and why?

Carlos Paige: I’m taking Rick Pitino because of all the teams left his has less talent then all of them. He has done a masterful job of getting the most out of a team that was left for dead after a three game skid in February. He was able to get the most out rail thin center turned dominate center Gorgui Dieng and also was able to corral lighting quick guard Peyton Siva. This may be Pitino greatest ever coaching job.

Adam Douglas: The only coach I trust THE most is Rick Pitino. His track record of taking unproven teams all the way to the top is impeccable. Right now, Pitino has this Louisville team peaking at the right time and it's a shame that it's not Kentucky/Louisville for the Championship on Monday

Michael Williams: Bill Self - Dickie V once told Self not to take the Kansas job because he wouldn't be able to live up to Roy Williams. Look at what he's done now. Who pictured Kansas in the Final Four at the beginning of the season? It's too easy to say John Calipari because look at the immense amount of talent he has on the court at any given time. Sure he's a great coach but if you don't have as stacked of a roster that Kentucky has I don't think they are in the position they are in now.

Latoya Walton: I would choose Callapari to coach my team. Why you ask? It’s because he accepts nothing but excellence. If you were watching them play Baylor the other night the commentators said “How do you get 4 freshmen to play almost mistake free for an entire season?” You practice and preach excellence and it becomes habit. Not many coaches can get a group of freshman to play that mentally tough I don’t care how much talent they have. He still has control of the locker room 'obviously'. No coach left would be more deserving to cut down the nets than Callapari.

Taylor Cannon: Rick Pitino, He has won it once before and right now is just full of energy and the players seem to feed off of that. He seems to be relaxed and having fun with the guys.

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3. Which impact post player in Jared Sullinger of Ohio State, Thomas Robinson of Kansas, Gorgui Dieng of Louisville, or Anthony Davis of Kentucky will have the biggest impact for their team?

Carlos Paige: The easy answer here would be Anthony Davis with the season he is having but I’m going will Jared Sullinger. He is the main offensive threat for the Buckeyes and his play could set the tone early against a rugged Jayhawks team. Sully’s stock has tumbled a bit this year with his injuries and also the excellent play of the other post players named in this column, so if there was ever a time for him to make his presence known, now would be that time. I look for Sullinger to bring his A game



Adam Douglas: This question was really asked? No doubt Anthony Davis is the biggest impact. I don't think the Wildcats can win without him, therefore he will be the biggest impact to his team.

Michael Williams: Thomas Robinson - See Above - Man amongst boys and a hands down unanimous All-American which hasn't been done since Blake Griffin.



Latoya Walton: Anthony Davis is the post player to have the biggest impact for his team, in my opinion. He’s a Naismith candidate as a freshman. Even if he’s not scoring he is still blocking shots and getting rebounds. He’s a special player. His wingspan and defense is amazing. He broke Kentucky’s all time block record in like 20 games. Who does stuff like that? It took someone 4 years to get that record he broke it in half a season. I’m not saying we can’t play with out Davis. But when he’s in the game He pretty much seals the deal. His presence is an intimidation. He’s a special kid and i feel without him Kentucky wouldn’t have made it this far.

Taylor Cannon: Dieng, If Louisville is to pull the upset Mr. Dieng has to have a huge game on defense and play an important part in rebounding (offensive ones and defensive ones)

4. Which team has the most to gain from winning the championship?

Carlos Paige: Even though Ohio State hasn’t won a championship in 5 decades, I believe Kentucky should be the choice here. The Wildcats haven’t won since 1998, which problem seems like 5 decades as well to the rabid fan base. Their facing the annual mass exodus at the end of the season as always under Callapari with Anthony Davis, Terrance Jones, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist all expecting to leave for the draft. This may be Cal’s best team ever so if he doesn’t pull this out I don’t if he ever will



Adam Douglas: It is clearly John Calipari. After all he has been through between the Memphis debacle and being so close the last 5-7 years, the NCAA championship has clearly eluded him -- and he wants one bad to validate all the talent he brings in year in and year out.



Michael Williams: Definitely Louisville, this would give their recruiting a huge boost and help Rick Pitino solidify his legacy. They are the complete underdog team and everyone would love to see David take down Goliath.



Latoya Walton: Kentucky has the most to gain from this national championship. The whole country thinks we choke in the national championship games its time for them Kentucky boys to just finish. I feel this crew Callapari has is the best team he has had others disagree. But Kentucky and Callapari will no longer be known as the choke team if we win it all so we have the most to gain. Getting to the national championship game isn’t good enough anymore nobody remembers second place. We will win full respect once we cut down the nets.



Taylor Cannon: Louisville, they beat their in state rival, won not only the best basketball playing conference (Big East) and to win the national championship as a 4th seed can somebody say WOW.





5. How do you think the media will handle the Kentucky-Louisville and Callapari-Pitino Rivalry?

Carlos Paige: Well I have family in Louisville and let’s just say this is basketball Armageddon in the commonwealth. Every state has its trademark and the state of Kentucky and basketball share a love affair that borders insanity. Louisville is considered the big city where the hipsters live while the rest of Kentucky is dedicated to the rural population .They live, eat, and breathe it there so the media really can’t make this match up any bigger than it already is there. Throw in the lighter fluid of Pitino being the former UK coach and his sacrilege of coaching the arch enemy Cardinals and you all the makings of an intense pressure packed game. For the first time since 1962 when Cincinnati faced off against Ohio State, we have an in-state match of Final Four teams. As for Cal and Pitino, those guys are so much alike it only right that they don’t like each other. The two were actually good friends at one time and Pitino even helped Cal get hired at UMass but that’s where the pleasantries ended. The state is a fever pitch and all kind of deep fried hell should break loose in Kentucky once tip off begins in this one. The only thing that could make this bigger than it is would be if these two met in the National Championship.

Adam Douglas: Bananas. Simply bananas. It has already gotten out of hand.



Michael Williams: I think they will take it to its extent. Not too far because let's be real here this isn't Tim Tebow we're talking about! It's an interstate battle that hasn't happened in quite a long time and of course people are going to talk about it. I'm just hoping that the game isn't a blow out and that we can talk about how good of a game was played instead of anything else.



Latoya Walton: The media is all ready in love with the Kentucky-Louisville match-up. And it’s great for the state of Kentucky. Callapari vs. Pitino it doesn’t get any better than this. I wish it was the national championship because I feel that those are the best two coaches in the final four.



Taylor Cannon: So far they have handled it well, but look for it to heat up as the week drags on.

6. Which battle of the blocks are your most interested in seeing the most:

Carlos Paige: Jared Sullinger vs. Thomas Robinson or Gorgui Dieng vs. Anthony Davis? I’m so excited to see the Sully vs. T-Rob dual because both guys play so hard. This will be a grown man party that will feature some tough physical play. Both players are the tone setters for their respective teams so whoever wins this battle down low should determine who wins that game in my opinion.

Adam Douglas: Davis vs. Dieng will be more entertaining because those two are certified shot blockers. I just don't think Robinson and Sullinger are those types of shot blockers.



Michael Williams: Sullinger vs. Robinson - Sullinger has kind of been floating out too far on the wing this year but I think this is going to be an excellent battle. I truly think that Kansas wins the game because Robinson is able to dominate the key and the boards



Latoya Walton: I feel Sullinger vs. Robinson is the more interesting match up. Davis is going to have a field day with Dieng so that’s irrelevant. But ever since I first seen Robinson and Sullinger play I said to myself they play almost exactly alike its scary how similar in play they are. This is going to be the best match up of bigs in the entire tournament.



Taylor Cannon: Dieng vs. Davis, I guess this is an instate rivalry this could turn out to be an intangible match-up cause Davis got hurt in the Baylor game so how hard is he going to go and is Louisville going to penetrate the middle and test Davis or is UK going to test Louisville in the middle







7. Who wins the championship and why?

Carlos Paige: Again for the all the reasons I named above it has to be the Kentucky Wildcats. They are just so talented across the board that’s its hard for teams to just stay in the game against them. They are ranked in the top five in offensive and defensive efficiency. They have beaten every team they’ve faced in the tourney by at least 12 points. And to top everything off they have the best player in the country in Anthony “I’ll cut my unibrow when I want to” Davis. This is year Cal finally joins the ring club and Wildcats fans can put an end t the 14 year drought as they should cut the nets down in the Big Easy.



Adam Douglas: This year's championship is Kentucky's to lose. Like I said in the first question, they are just better than the rest of the field. The only team that can beat KY is themselves.



Michael Williams: Kentucky - Through and through they have the best roster and are the best basketball team in the tourney. But hear me out on any given day any team can get hot and beat any team. Here's hoping we have an excellent championship game!



Latoya Walton: KENTUCKY WILDCATS will cut down the nets!!!! Nobody left in the tournament can play with these boys. I said they would win it all from the first game i seen them play it shocked me to see a young college team that complete. They do it all they play offense and defense. They have the purest shooting and best shooting guards in the nation. They have the best front line in the nation and the best 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 in the nation. These boys are unselfish. They all averaged 25 point in high school but yet the trust their teammates enough not to always take the shot. They pretty much score when ever they want. They do it all 30-1 in the regular season. And the one loss was at the buzzer. They play 7 players and everybody knows their role and plays their role well. No one of the team tries to over do it. Anthony Davis is the star player yet he takes the 5th least amount of shots on the team. Any other Naismith candidate leads their team in shots taken. Pretty much they are athletic, unselfish, great shooters, and smart, the most complete team and no way in blank that Louisville or anyone left could send them home



Taylor Cannon: I’m going to go either Louisville or Ohio State, because both these teams are playing with energy and energetic coaches

Tune in to the Sportaholic Radio Show! 3-24-12

We have assembled a great list of guests for this week's show including Tennessee State University point guard Will Peters as he steps in to breakdown the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Peters' Tigers team lost on a last second shot to Murray State in the OVC tournament championship game. He will bring expert analysis on the teams left in the tourney field.







We also bring on former Minnesota Vikings interim coach and current coach of the West Texas Roughnecks Kirk Broussard in to talk the latest in the soap opera that is the NFL. We pick his brain on the Peyton Manning to Broncos signing, the Tim Tebow to the New York Jets trade and the shocking New Orleans Saints bounty gate saga.







All this as well as all the regular pageantry including a new weekly segment with Michael Williams,the diss of week, NBA talk and all the hottest hip hop music. Check us out from 10 to noon on WWW.BEATKNOCKIN.COM!!

The Sportaholic Radio Show interview with Denver Nugget Kenneth Faried

My interview with Denver Nugget Kenneth Faried and Morehead State great Demonte Harper. Also request me on Facebook at Los Paige and join the Sportaholic sports topic page!!

Uconn wins its 3rd National Championship in unspectacular fashion....

I can’t even lie about last night’s championship game. It was boring, there I said it. I can remember numerous times of Twitter and Facebook my friends and family cracking jokes about it. One person objectively asked if they were playing to 21. Another one of my friends said first person to 50 wins. I heard it all and then some in Uconn’s 53-41 victory over Butler. The lid seemed shut for both teams as the game began. Shelvin Mack’s first two lay-up attempt misses were an ominous sign of things to come. The 41 combined points were the fewest scored in a half in the NCAA title game since Oklahoma State and North Carolina totaled 40 in 1946. This was an ugly game of mammoth proportions. The Bulldogs made only one of 13 shots from two-point range, but five three-pointers. Uconn shot 34.5 percent from the field and still won by 12 points. To be able to shoot that bad and still win, isn’t suppose to happen in a national championship game. Kemba Walker was deservedly all the talk leading into the game but even he struggled going 5-of-19 shooting and he had zero assists. I’ve seen Uconn play multiple times this year and they could make most of those shots in their sleep. It was just something about this game, I don’t know if it was playing in Houston’s Reliant stadium with the vast overview or was it just the jitters of playing in front of millions at home and in their seats that made for such a chagrin affair last night. UConn shot 29 percent from the field in the first half, while Butler shot 22.2 percent.

However, what was lost in the grotesque shooting percentages and ill-advised Matt Howard 3-point attempts was the great defense played both teams. There was a certain beauty to the spectacle of two teams fighting for every last inch of the court. The scrappy Bulldogs would not go away until Uconn finally went on a 25-5 run in the second half. Until that point you had the feeling this was just the street fight that Brad Stevens and Butler wanted. Butler has been involved in more close call than anyone I can remember this year besides one team…….. the Uconn Huskies.

Both teams know how to play deformed basketball to a tee and it just happened to rear it ugly head last night. Clark Kellogg, analyst for the game said that Butler is the best team he has ever seen at playing good while playing bad. His meaning was that even though the Bulldogs were playing awful they still are able to hold their head above water until they start to play to their potential, only they never did. Butler turned in the worst shooting performance in NCAA title game history, shooting an eye-popping 18.8 percent and it cost them more than shots as they noticeably lost their cool. The Huskies size with Alex Orhaki in the post and Jeremy Lamb with Roscoe Smith on the wings frustrated Butler all night long. I thought it was just a matter of time before Chase Stigall and Shawn Vanzant would knock down those open 3-pointers’s but to no avail. Butler missed 31 of 37 second-half shots. In a word: Ouch

At any rate, much credit is to be given to Uconn. They were a team swirled in controversy after a recruiting flap that nearly engulfed there hall of fame coach Jim Calhoun. Now Calhoun joins the exclusive club of the who’s who of college basketball coaches as he became just the fifth coach in NCAA history to win at least three NCAA basketball titles. The others in the club are John Wooden (11 championships), Adolph Rupp (four), Mike Krzyzewski (four) and Bob Knight (three). They were a team that the experts only had Kemba Walker and Walker himself was a head case who took too many ill-advised shots and wasn’t able to carry a team by himself. Walker responded to those critics by capping a historic postseason run, averaging 24.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and five assists and commanding the Huskies to 11 consecutive postseason wins. And even Walker’s supporting cast stepped up as Alex Oriakhi and Jeremy Lamb combined for 23 points and 18 rebounds. They were a team picked by the coaches of the Big East to finish 10th in their own league. They actually did finish 9th but in spectacular fashion won the Big East Tourney with a five games in five nights. All bets should have been off on this team from there.

This was the year of the unknown in college basketball. We didn’t have a super power team that was undefeatable. We didn’t even have our picks right for the brackets as the 5.1 million people who entered in ESPN’s bracket challenge proved (Only 2 out of the number got the Final Four correct.). Heck, I don’t even know why Uconn’s Roscoe Smith eye has been black since November, but it is. This much is for certain now is that the Uconn Huskies are the National Champions and they did it the hard way. Congrats goes out to them for all of their accomplishments this year.

Jay-Z under investigation by the NBA

Rap superstar Jay-Z maybe be in hot water after an impromptu visit with the winners of the Kentucky Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels college basketball game. The NBA said that its plans to investigate the New Jersey Nets minority owner after his little visit to the locker room. The rap mogul was seen on video and in photos celebrating with the Kentucky team after their victory. The win advanced the Wildcats to the Final Four but the big uproar is that Jay-Z interacted with two possible high draft picks in Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones and the NBA doesn’t take that lightly.




This is mildly surprising as one would think the Roc Nation president and CEO would know owners can’t talk to potential players especially underclassmen. Just as recent as 2007, Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge was fined $30,000 for sitting and conversing with Kevin Durant mother during a game. Being a rap superstar has it perks and I would guess it was hard for the person in charge of security to turn down a man that most of those kids look up to. The problem is the impression that it gives when a multi-millionaire owner is partying it up with potential clients.

So How Is Your Brackets Looking?

So after the first weekend of the NCAA tournament, my bracket is looking like a high-school kid’s algebra test as it is filled with x’s at this point. My carnage ravaged bracket isn’t surprising when I think about it. Every year I believe I have the formula for the perfect bracket and every year it all goes downhill after the first few rounds of games. I may have drunk too much of the Belmont kool-aid that the experts were serving and ended up having the Bruins making a sweet 16 run. After Wisconsin and Jordan Taylor put a beat down on my hometown Bruins my bracket was already done. I got another surprise when Morehead State’s Demonte Harper downed a 3-point bomb on Peyton Siva and the Louisville Cardinals. Now Harper and I know go back to high school and I talked to him before the game. You would think he could have given some type of heads up or something.

The tournament is so much fun because in a year like this, there are no favorites. You could argue that Ohio State, Kansas and Duke are but do you really think any of these teams are unbeatable? This is as an open field as I as I seen in recent years. I doubt that even Joe Lunardi could pick a perfect bracket at this point The NCAA has been watered down with the one-and-done rule to the point where good teams can be borderline great with the given circumstances. Think about this, if most of the underclassmen that have declared over the last four year had to stay in college, how different would the tournament be? Kentucky would feature the likes of John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Terrance Jones. That’s just a scary proposition. Then again maybe Kentucky doesn’t because John Callapari stays at Memphis with Tyreke Evans and Derrick Rose at his expense. Ohio State would even bigger inside with Greg Oden (Do you still think he would hurt in some sort of fashion? I do) and better at the point with Mike Conley Jr manning the ship. Things would definitely different that’s for sure.

How about some the controversial calls in this year’s tourney as well? Pitt got jobbed in the Butler game and I don’t care what you say. There is no way those types of calls should determine the outcome of the game as they did but Butler deserves credit for making their free-throws. Memphis fans still think Derrick Williams fouled Antonio Barton, Louisville feel the same about Kenneth Faried’s block on their last second 3-point attempt and what on earth was John Henson thinking for North Carolina? Henson couldn’t figure out if he wanted to be the hero or the goat against Washington as he stole an inbound pass that looked to seal the game then inexplicably touched a half-court heave from Washington’s Isaiash Thomas that had no chance of going in. His mistake gave the Huskies the ball with 0.5 seconds left on the clock and Henson again decided to touch the ball, this time almost receiving a goaltending violation but it wouldn’t have mattered as the Huskies needed a 3-pointer to tie but still you don’t want to chance those type of things John.

As for the rest of my picks, I still have a chance. I did have down a few upsets that happened like Richmond over Vandy. The Commodores are always a safe pick for an upset in the opening rounds. I had George Mason over Villanova. That made since as you had a surging mid-major that has been here before against a down on their luck Wildcats team that the wheels fell off of a long time ago. I still love Jay Wright’s suit selections I must say. Who could have predicted VCU’s run from first four in to Sweet 16 team? The Rams got in and are making the most of it. That is what this entire festival is about. The little team that could and everyone always roots for the underdog. The Sweet 16 is usually the best match-ups of the season and this year looks up to par. When you have Uconn vs. San Diego State, Ohio State vs. Kentucky and BYU vs. Florida you can expect some fireworks.



Stay tuned is all I can say because as more games are played there will be more upsets. Looking at the President’s bracket I’m inclined to think how is he able to pick a 26-2 first round and handle everything else in the world. His bracket was in 98 percentile and he was 431st in ESPN’s bracket challenge. That means that the President is better than me and most people at picking college basketball and I call myself an expert in this field. That’s tells you that this is nothing more than crap shoot. So I finish with the question I began with, how are your brackets looking?

Q and A with Morehead State Standout and NCAA tourney player Demonte Harper

I was blessed with the opportunity of interviewing my former fellow Whites Creek alum and current Morehead State standout Demonte Harper. For those who haven’t been watching, Harper was named OVC conference tournament MVP after he scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the championship game against Tennessee Tech. Harper and fellow senior Kenneth Faried (Who is the leading the nation in rebounding at 14.6 a clip) lead the 13th seeded Eagles against in-state rival and 4th seeded Louisville in the Southwest regional being held in Denver. The Eagles (20-15) are in the tournament for the second time in three years.

My fondest memories of Harper are as a freshman at Whites Creek. He was a tall and lanky kid whose body had not quite caught up with him as far as height is concerned. I was a senior at the time and in some type of scheduling quirk, I had gym class with him. We played some inspired games and I could tell at that time that he had a chance to be a very good player. He would always play me tougher than the others in gym and that was including some other seniors that were so lucky to have gym like me as a senior. After I graduated and went on to college I lost contact with him. I heard about his success at my old high school as the team had made it to the state championship but I wasn’t able to attend those games as much as I had wanted too. A few years went by and as I am now finishing up school (I know it’s been awhile) I noticed that Demonte had earned a starting spot for Morehead State and was putting up some solid numbers for them as well. Harper’s minutes and points have increased every year for him, going from 3.7 points a game in 19 minutes as a freshman to 16 points a game in 37 minutes per contest as a senior. He showed off his scoring ability as he exploded for 35 points against the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars this season and dropped another 34 on Austin Peay.

It is a feel good story for me as far as being able to see him fulfilling the potential I noticed in him as a high-school freshman. It makes me proud as a former Whites Creek basketball alum to see Harper keeping the tradition of Whites Creek Cobra basketball alive.

Harper with the block in the above photo.

Now for a few questions on Harper as Morehead State as they prepare for battle against the Cardinals this Thursday.



Question: What is your first take on Louisville?



Answer: They are similar to us in that they like to get up and down the floor like us and it should make for an exciting game.




Q: Do you think playing in the high altitude of Denver will affect your teams approach, as you guys usually go about 7 deep?



A: Maybe a little bit. Coach (Donnie Tyndall) has instructed us to drink more water but other than that I think we will be ok.



Q: Do you think you guys will be rusty since you haven’t played in two weeks?



A: We had a few days off but we have had some tough practices and I definitely think we will be prepared.



Q: Did playing Louisville and going 1-9 in 37 minutes two years ago as a sophomore help as far as scouting and experience are concerned?



A: Definitely, when I played them as sophomore I got a feel for their style of play. This time I should be ready to make more of a contribution




Q: How does it feel to be playing in the hotbed of college hoops in Kentucky?



A: It can be overwhelming to play in front of 20,000 people as we did when we traveled to the University of Kentucky in Lexington, but this is an experienced team that isn’t afraid of the moment.



Q: Did playing Florida to within 6 points of the win help build confidence in playing another big time program such as Louisville?



A: We played them tough but we just had a bad shooting night. Things could have been different had we shot better. It does give us confidence knowing that we are a capable team



Q: They say momentum is the most underrated aspect of the tourney, you guys won 13 of 14 entering the tourney, and does it give you guys an extra bump entering the big dance?



A: Yeah definitely, I think the momentum we are taking with us in the tournament will carry over and give us an additional boost.



Q: How was it to be to get the chance to play in-front of friends and family in OVC tourney here in Nashville? And speaking of Nashville as you being a native of the city did you feel any extra pressure to perform and represent for your city?



A: It was the greatest feeling in the world man. I played in the in the OVC tournament the last three years that it was held in Nashville and so its no pressure to me. I’m just happy to be able to perform in front on my family and friends.





Q; You have scored at least 25 points in your last two games, what has been your key to success in those games?



A: Just being aggressive man. I actually rather make my teammates better if it’s my scoring, rebounding or passing, just whatever I can do to help the team win.



Q: What current NBA player do you think your games most resembles?



A: I would say Derrick Rose. I know I am not as fast as he is (Chuckles) but our styles are similar in attacking the rim and getting up and down the floor.



Q: How do you and Kenneth Faried compliment each others game?



A: I think we compliment each other a lot. He is the best rebounder I have ever had the chance to play with. In my opinion I definitely think he is a first-round NBA pick. Maybe even lottery pick.




Q: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans in the city of Nashville?



A: Thanks for all the love and support from the city.