Men's Basketball plays at Murray State on Friday
12/16/2015 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Southern Illinois (9-2) travels to Murray State (5-5) on Friday night for its third road game of the season. The Salukis have already picked up road wins at Sam Houston State and North Texas. The Racers have lost three-straight games but are 3-1 at home. Coach Hinson met with the media prior to Wednesday's practice.
| Southern Illinois (9-2) at Murray State (5-5) | |
| Date | Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 |
| Time | 7 p.m. CT |
| Location | Murray, Ky. • CFSB Center (8,500) |
| Game Notes | Southern Illinois  |
| Radio | Saluki Sports Network |
| Watch | OVC Digital Network |
| Live Audio | CBS All-Access |
| Live Stats | Stat Broadcast |
| Social Media | @SIU_Basketball |
Coach Hinson Transcript
Illinois State doubled Wayne Langston in their meeting, how well have you done that in practice?
"I talked with (Illinois State head coach) Dan Muller about double teaming him. He still went 8-for-9 from the field. This kid causes a lot of problems. In their last three games, six guys have averaged double figures. It is not just all about him. He is certainly the focal point. Those other guys have played really well. Six guys averaging double figures is pretty impressive."
How well do you feel your guards match up defensively?
"I feel good about our team offensively right now. We have got to get better defensively. I think any coach you talk to at this particular time of the year will tell you that we have to get better at rebounding and at defense. A lot of coaches will say that they have to get better offensively, but we are scoring 80 points a game and I can't ask any more of or guys than that."
How important is it to get a win against Murray State?
"I think that it is important to win no matter who you play. I got asked this morning on a radio show if this is a big rivalry. A rivalry is when the other team wins some. We haven't won any yet. We are 0-2 against these guys. They are coming off of a tough road loss at Illinois State, so we know that we are going to catch them at their very best. With it being finals week, it is always interesting to see how this week goes around the country. Teams play good and teams play bad. It will be interesting to see how our guys respond."
Murray State has struggled to rebound, too. Do you ask more of your guards to rebound?
"I think that is the key for us right now. Our guards are not rebounding well enough. Anthony (Beane) has doubled his output from last year, but the other guards are in 1.1 to 2.2 range. They have to get up into the four or five range. We have to ask more of our guards to stick their noses in there."
How comfortable are you going on the road?
"For the most part, I am more comfortable than I have been. I am never comfortable playing on the road. I do like how our guys have approached road games this year. Unlike the teams of the past, we seem to have a lot of energy."
How much have you gotten to work with your team this week?
"We've been able to work with our guys. We have taken a couple of days off for finals like we always do. We did not practice yesterday. We had the opportunity to go today. We are good now and there will be no more missed practices. Yesterday we could not practice because everyone was in finals at one point or time.
Is everyone healthy?
"Everyone except the head coach. Everyone is healthy and ready to go. Just don't kiss me. I've just been hanging out under the mistletoe at Hobby Lobby and it doesn't work real well."
Is Bobby (Mannie) going to be back?
"I don't know how to answer that question guys. I don't have an answer. Bobby's not been at practice for two weeks."
Is he still on leave?
"He's had a death in the family. I've not talked to him nor have I seen him in two weeks."
What do you like about Damarcus Croaker?
"He has had some back injuries, but he is one of those guys that has been averaging double figures in their last three games. They have some guys that can shoot. They are a good basketball team. They are extremely talented. We don't have six guys that are averaging double figures. It will be interesting to see."
Other than defense and rebounding, is there anything else you would like to improve on?
"Well, always academics. Fans don't ever want to hear that. That is something that I talk about every day. That is a big deal to me. Right now for this ball club, it is free-throw shooting. How about we step up to the line and make some free-throws? That goes all the way to the top. It includes Anthony Beane. Anthony missed three free-throws last game. He is one of the best free-throw shooters in the MVC and the country. Step up there and make your free throws. That is one of the areas we need to concentrate on. It doesn't have anything to do with talent. It has everything to do with what is going on between their ears."
What has Sean O'Brien meant to the team this year?
"The biggest thing with Sean is that he plays with confidence. I've said this before, but he is his own worst enemy. We really think that this kid has a chance to be a special player. He has certainly shown that to date. We don't anticipate anything derailing him. He is what he is. He is a poor man's four man that you have to guard and pay attention to at all times. He is slippery like a snake and gets through anything. The only thing that I have struggled with him as of late is that he is turning the ball over. He is better than that. He can really pass the basketball. He has just been really loose with it as of late. He leads our team in blocked shots, he is our best rebounder, can make free-throws, and he can score. I think that he is having a heck of a year."
