The Coaching Legacy of Coach Walls (CH2k8)

[VandyRedskins21]

So this is a legacy that I have been playing for a while now... I'm going to fast forward to the present.

EAGLES LOOK TO TAKE FIRST PLACE IN THE OVC

Morehead, KY, January 18, 2007 - It is the day after a blowout win against Samford. Coach Walls meets with reporters before practice.

"We feel like we are headed in the right direction as a team" says rookie coach Walls, "We have grown so much since that first game against Houston a couple months ago. Last night was an example of a solid all-around game from everyone."

Morehead State was ranked last in the OVC in the preseason and has been a delightful surprise. With nine games left in the season they currently sit tied for first place in the OVC with Austin Peay.

"We expected to be here" repeated Walls for what seemed like the 5000th time for the reporters this year, "We know what kind of guys that we have in the locker room. They have taken real ownership as a team which is great to see. It is clearly their team and they care deeply."

Morehead State has now bounced back with two wins after losing two games in a row.

"We are continually learning about ourselves and getting better. This past week has been an indicator of that. We lost a couple games in a row which exposed some things about us that we have been working on."

This is clearly a team that is for real. After almost pulling off an upset against #5 Louisville on the road, they have put the whole OVC on notice. They have shown since that this was not a fluke, but in fact that they are the real deal.

It has been 24 years since Morehead State has made the NCAA Tournament, is this the year that they will do it?

[VandyRedskins21]

NCAA RANKINGS - JAN, 19, 2008

NCAA Hoops Rankings - AP Top 15 - Updated: Jan 19, 2008
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	RECORD
1	1	North Carolina	18-0
2	2	Memphis	14-2
3	3	Indiana	14-1
4	7	Kansas	12-3
5	6	Louisville	15-2
6	4	Arizona	14-2
7	9	Tennessee	13-2
8	10	Marquette	13-3
9	8	UCLA	13-3
10	5	Michigan State	13-3
11	13	Virginia	14-1
12	11	Georgetown	11-4
13	17	Syracuse	13-4
14	12	Duke	9-5
15	16	Wisconsin	11-5

OVC RANKINGS

OVC Preseason Rankings Conference Standings - Updated: Jan 18, 2008
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	GB
Austin Peay	12-7		6-3
MOREHEAD STATE	9-6		6-3	0
Eastern Kentucky	6-8		5-3	0.5
Tennessee Tech	10-6		5-4	1
SE Missouri	8-9		5-4	1
Samford	7-8		5-4	1
Eastern Illinois	8-9		5-5	1.5
Tennessee State	10-6		4-4	1.5
UT Martin	8-7		4-4	1.5
Jacksonville State	5-10		2-7	4
Murray State	2-12		1-7	4.5

[VandyRedskins21]

Morehead State Eagles 2007-08 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Nov 9	at Houston	Lost, 73-47
Nov 13	vs Western Illinois	Won, 57-50
Nov 17	at Bowling Green	Won, 77-72
Nov 21	at Oklahoma	Lost, 63-51
Dec 1	at Marshall	Won, 60-59
Dec 6	at Austin Peay*	Lost, 78-66
Dec 8	at Murray State*	Won, 87-50
Dec 17	vs UT Martin*	Won, 76-57
Dec 19	vs Eastern Illinois*	Won, 73-60
Dec 26	at (#5) Louisville	Lost, 77-76 (OT)
Jan 3	at Tennessee State*	Won, 72-56
Jan 7	at Tennessee Tech*	Lost, 81-47
Jan 10	vs Eastern Kentucky*	Lost, 60-58
Jan 12	at UT Martin*	Won, 63-49
Jan 17	vs Samford*	Won, 68-37
Jan 19	vs Jacksonville State*
Jan 24	at SE Missouri*
Jan 26	at Eastern Illinois*
Jan 29	vs Tennessee Tech*
Feb 7	vs SE Missouri*
Feb 9	vs Murray State*
Feb 14	at Samford*
Feb 16	at Jacksonville State*
Feb 20	at Eastern Kentucky*
Feb 28	vs Tennessee State*
Mar 1	vs Austin Peay*

Morehead State Eagles Stats - 2007-08
Player	GP	MIN	PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	FG(%)	3PT(%)
TJ Clark (61)	15	22.7	12.6	1.5	1.7	0.7	0.1	65-166 (39%)	46-131 (35%)
John Lamb (59)	15	16.6	12.0	1.4	1.1	0.5	0.1	60-149 (40%)	45-114 (39%)
Maze Stallworth (61)	15	25	9.5	2.9	1.9	1.1	0.4	56-143 (39%)	20-72 (28%)
Kenneth Faried (63)	15	23.2	7.9	11.5	2.9	0.4	0.7	49-114 (43%)	0-1 (0%)
Les Simmons (62)	15	16.8	5.1	5.1	1.2	0.5	0.2	31-60 (52%)	0-0
Jamyron Steward (61)	15	13.5	5.1	1.5	0.8	0.3	0.0	28-79 (35%)	13-43 (27%)
Cecil Brown (58)	14	18.4	4.1	1.0	3.9	0.9	0.0	22-62 (35%)	7-25 (28%
Royce Gaye (62)	15	15.9	3.2	1.8	1.1	0.4	0.4	17-36 (47%)	9-21 (43%)
Nikola Stojakovic (59)	15	22.2	2.8	1.3	3.7	1.0	0.2	18-37 (49%)	0-6 (0%)
Leon Buchanan (66)	15	27.0	2.7	4.1	2.2	0.9	0.5	15-50 (30%)	2-17 (12%)
Andreas Coleman (55)	6	3.2	1.2	0.5	0.5	0.2	0.2	3-4 (75%!!!)	0-0

A quick few things:

We went to overtime at Louisville but should have won. We blew a 7 point lead in the last minute of regulation

Cecil Brown has started 4 games instead of Stojakovic. It is mainly when we go up against a good PG. Brown is a better defender. Brown, however, is a worse decision maker (turnover prone, bad shot selection).

Kenneth Faried is 1st in conference in RPG and 7th in the NCAA.

[VandyRedskins21]

OVC Team Leaders - Updated: Jan 18, 2008
Points Per Game	PPG	Rebounds Per Game	RPG
1. Tennessee Tech	72.4	1. Tennessee Tech	33.6
2. SE Missouri	72.4	2. MOREHEAD STATE	32.1
3. Austin Peay	71.5	3. Austin Peay	31.4
4. Tennessee State	68.9	4. UT Martin	31.1
5. UT Martin	68.5	5. Jacksonville State	31.1
Assists Per Game	APG	Field Goal %	FG%
1. MOREHEAD STATE	20.5	1. Tennessee Tech	46%
2. Tennessee Tech	15	2. SE Missouri	44%
3. Tennessee State	12.9	3. Eastern Illinois	44%
4. Austin Peay	11.8	4. Tennessee State	43%
5. Eastern KY	11.7	5. Eastern KY	43%
3 Point Made	3PTM	3 Point %	3PT%
1. MOREHEAD STATE	142	1. SE Missouri	39%
2. SE Missouri	141	2. UT Martin	38%
3. UT Martin	111	3. Austin Peay	37%
4. Tennessee State	109	4. Tennessee State	37%
5. Samford	93	5. Eastern KY	35%

[VandyRedskins21]

Ok everything is updated as much as I can. Hope that wasn't too much of an info dump! Hope y'all enjoy!

[VandyRedskins21]

vs.

EAGLES SOAR PAST GAMECOCKS WITH STRONG SECOND HALF

Morehead, KY - January 19, 2008: Morehead State scored a season high for points in a half against Jacksonville State. After finishing strong to take a seven point lead at halftime, the Eagles dominated scoring 55 second half points.

"We've had a few games this year where we didn't score 55 points total" jokes Walls, "What stuck out to me was our screens. We set the best screens that I've seen all season. That is a great sign that the players are bought in to what is best for the team."

Morehead State had another first today: Every player made a field goal. Andreas Coleman played for one possession in the last minute of the game where he scored and injured his leg in the process.

"It is always a good sign when everyone scores. Andreas decided he only needed to play one possession today. Going out on a high note I guess."

They also hit a season high in assists with 27 dimes dropped throughout the floor. The Eagles hope to take these season highs with them when they go on a 3 game stretch in 5 days.

Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Morehead State Eagles
Jan 19, 2008	1ST	2ND	SCORE
Jacksonville State 5-11 (2-8)	24	34	58
Morehead State 10-6 (7-3)	31	55	86

Jacksonville State Gamecocks
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Erik Adams	27	6-10	1-1	0-0	2	1	0	0	2	13
Will Ginn	27	4-15	3-10	0-0	1	0	1	0	1	11
J.R. Weathers	24	3-6	0-0	2-5	6	1	1	0	0	8
TEAM TOTALS		22-53	6-16	8-15	23	17	6	3	9	58

Morehead State Eagles
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Nikola Stojakovic (Sr)	27	1-1	0-0	2-2	0	7	3	0	3	2
TJ Clark (Fr)	21	2-6	2-6	0-0	1	1	2	1	0	6
Maze Stallworth (So)	28	6-13	2-5	0-1	5	3	0	0	1	14
Leon Buchanan (Jr)	26	2-4	1-3	2-2	7	3	0	0	0	7
Kenneth Faried (So)	28	7-8	0-0	0-1	12	5	0	0	1	14
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
(G) Royce Gaye (Jr)	14	2-2	0-0	0-0	5	1	1	0	1	4
(F) Les Simmons (Jr)	12	4-5	0-0	1-3	3	1	0	0	0	9
(G) John Lamb (Fr)	19	5-9	5-9	0-0	2	1	0	0	0	15
(G) Jamyron Steward (Sr)	12	1-6	1-6	0-0	2	3	1	0	0	3
(G) Cecil Brown (So)	13	4-7	1-1	1-1	1	2	1	0	1	10
(F) Andreas Coleman (Fr)	0+	1-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	2
TEAM TOTALS		35-62	12-30	4-10	38	27	8	1	7	86

[VandyRedskins21]

vs.

40 MINUTES WERE NOT ENOUGH IN OVC BATTLE

Cape Girardeau, MO - January, 24, 2008: Morehead State was down 11 with 6 minutes left when they hit six straight 3s, all made by Maze Stallworth and TJ Clark, to eventually send the game to overtime. Even with the three point barrage, it would not be enough as the Redhawks would pull away win the game 79-73.

"That was one of the toughest games we have had to play all season" said Walls in the postgame presser, "They had a great crowd and played with a lot of energy throughout the game.When you play in an environment like that, your margin of error gets smaller and we made some mistakes that really cost us tonight."

Morehead State got out to a big lead early going up as much as 13 just a few minutes into the game. SE Missouri chipped away at that lead and cut it to two by halftime.

"They really punched us in the mouth for the better part of the second half. If we hadn't strung together some key stops and 3 pointers, this could have easily been a 15 point loss. Credit goes to them, they had some guys step up and make tough shots. They earned that win."

The Eagles are now traveling to play Eastern Illinois in two days. These two teams faced off back in December where the Eagles won 73-60 led by TJ Clark and Kenneth Faried who combined for 34 of their 73 points.

Morehead State Eagles at Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
Jan 24, 2008	1ST	2ND	OT	SCORE
Morehead State 10-7 (7-4)	34	36	3	73
Southeast Missouri State 10-9 (7-4)	32	38	9	79

Morehead State Eagles
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Nikola Stojakovic (Sr)	33	1-4	0-1	0-0	1	5	1	0	2	2
TJ Clark (Fr)	29	8-17	6-14	0-0	3	1	1	0	0	22
Maze Stallworth (So)	33	9-16	5-10	0-0	2	2	1	0	2	23
Leon Buchanan (Jr)	36	3-7	0-2	0-0	3	4	0	0	0	6
Kenneth Faried (So)	21	0-3	0-0	0-0	5	5	0	0	0	0
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
(G) Royce Gaye (Jr)	9	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	0	1	0	0	0
(F) Les Simmons (Jr)	24	3-7	0-0	1-2	9	4	0	0	0	7
(G) John Lamb (Fr)	15	3-10	3-9	0-0	1	1	0	0	0	9
(G) Cecil Brown (So)	12	1-5	0-2	0-0	0	1	0	0	0	2
(G) Jamyron Steward (Sr)	12	0-1	0-1	2-2	3	1	4	0	1	2
(F) Andreas Coleman (Fr)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		28-71	14-40	3-4	28	24	8	0	6	73

Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Hank Harris (Jr)	36	0-3	0-2	0-0	1	9	0	0	2	0
David Johnson (Sr)	14	6-8	5-7	0-0	1	1	2	0	1	17
Brandon Foust (Sr)	35	8-14	1-3	2-2	5	4	0	1	2	19
Roderick Pearson (So)	35	5-9	0-0	1-2	10	3	0	2	0	11
Michael Rembert (Sr)	31	3-7	0-1	3-5	14	3	0	4	0	9
TEAM TOTALS		32-63	7-21	8-11	35	29	4	9	8	79

[VandyRedskins21]

vs.

EAGLES FIND THEMSELVES IN ANOTHER OVERTIME

Charleston, IL - January 26, 2008: Morehead State played in their second straight game to go into overtime. This time they responded better and pulled out a win against Eastern Illinois, 69-64.

"There were some positives that we will pull from this game and there are definitely some negatives" said Walls, "Kenneth gave an outstanding performance getting us 10 offensive rebounds. We let Anthony get loose from 3 and we settled for a lot of tough shots too."

The Eagles shot 6-30 from behind the arc. This is not an anomaly, however, as they shoot more 3s per game than anyone else in the country.

"Out of the 30 shots we took, I'm willing to bet that 22 of them were good shots. We have to figure out how to (A) convert better than 6-22 from those 3s and (B) get better shots in the other 8 possessions. That could have led to 6-8 points which would have helped us win in regulation."

While talking about his team's offensive performance, he did not seem to concerned overall.

"We are still figuring out how to be efficient each and every possession. There are some positive signs. We assist around 80% of all of our made field goals. We move the ball well. We sometimes settle for tough shots or don't make great reads. That is something that we work on everyday and watch film on constantly."

The Eagles go home for another game in two days, the last of a three game stretch in five days. They face off a struggling Tennessee Tech team that was expected to finish in the top of the OVC.

Eastern Illinois Panthers at Morehead State Eagles
Jan 26, 2008	1ST	2ND	OT	SCORE
Eastern Illinois 9-10 (6-6)	25	33	11	69
Morehead State 11-7 (8-4)	27	31	6	64

Eastern Illinois Panthers
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Nikola Stojakovic (Sr)	34	3-4	0-1	0-0	2	4	0	1	1	6
TJ Clark (Fr)	24	3-13	1-10	2-2	0	3	0	0	0	9
Maze Stallworth (So)	35	6-15	1-7	1-2	5	2	2	0	3	14
Leon Buchanan (Jr)	34	2-7	0-4	0-0	3	3	0	0	0	4
Kenneth Faried (So)	31	5-12	0-0	3-4	19	1	1	1	1	13
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
(G) Royce Gaye (Jr)	12	2-3	0-0	0-0	4	0	0	0	0	4
(F) Les Simmons (Jr)	15	0-0	0-0	1-3	5	1	1	0	0	1
(G) John Lamb (Fr)	20	4-10	3-6	0-0	1	1	0	0	0	11
(G) Cecil Brown (So)	11	1-1	0-0	2-2	1	3	0	0	3	4
(G) Jamyron Steward (Sr)	10	1-2	1-2	0-0	3	1	0	0	0	3
(F) Andreas Coleman (Fr)	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		27-67	6-30	9-13	43	19	4	2	8	69

Morehead State Eagles
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Mike Robinson (Jr)	38	1-5	0-3	0-0	2	10	2	0	2	2
Romain Martin (So)	35	6-18	1-6	0-0	6	3	0	0	1	13
Bobby Catchings (Sr)	29	4-12	0-4	4-4	5	3	0	0	0	12
Justin Brock (So)	31	3-7	0-1	0-0	4	0	2	0	2	6
Ousmane Cisse (So)	34	5-11	0-0	1-2	14	1	0	1	0	11
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Julio Anthony (Sr)	19	7-13	3-5	1-1	0	0	0	0	0	18
TEAM TOTALS		27-77	4-19	6-7	39	22	6	1	5	64