Morehead State hires new coach

[coachcraig]

Hello all my name is Coach Mark Craig. As of today I have accepted the coaching job at the university of Morehead state. I will be leaving my high school coaching job at Philo high school in Ohio behind me. It is a privledge to be a coach at such a fine school. I am a hard nose coach who loves a challenge. So I am looking foward in making Morehead State a basketball powerhouse. I will up date my coaching news letter here as the season moves on. I will keep all the students and alumni up to date with the developments of our program. So check back here for up to date game stats recruitment news and much much more. Once more I am proud to be here at Morehead State.






Thank you, Coach Mark Craig

[coachcraig]

Hello, Morehead State fans this is coach Mark Craig. I am posting our new 2007 schedule. We play some great games this year I can't wait till tip off.



11/10 at Penn State Morehead State (1-0) 37 Penn State 31

11/17 at South Alabama Morehead State (1-1) 38 South Alabama 46

11/21 E. Tennessee St. Morehead State (2-1) 40 E. Tennessee St. 39

11/29 Marshall Morehead State (3-1) 49 Marshall 24

12/2 at W. Illinois Morehead State (4-1) 36 W.Illinois 34

* 12/7 Austin Peay Morehead State (5-1) 58 Austin Peay 29

* 12/9 Murray St. Morehead State (6-1) 40 Murry State 19

*12/18 at Tennessee - Martin Morehead State (7-1) 59 Tennessee - Martin 35

*12/20 at E. Illinois Morehead State (8-1)59 E. Illinois 31

*12/30 C. Michigan Morehead State (9-1) 42 C. Michigan 27

*1/2 Tennesse St. Morehead State (10-1) 32 Tennessee St. 28

*1/6 Tennesse Tech

*1/11 at E. Kentucky

*1/13 Tennessee- Martin

*1/18 at Samford

*1/20 at Jacksonville St.

*1/25 SE. Missouri

*1/27 E. Illinois

*1/29 at Tennessee Tech

*2/1 E. Kentucky

*2/8 at SE. Missouri

*2/10 at Murray St.

*2/13 Jacksonville St.

*2/15 Samford

*2/22 at Tennessee St.

*2/24 at Austin Peay

Lets get as many students at the games as possible make teams hate to come to play Morehead State.

* Ohio Valley Conference Games

[coachcraig]

We had our first Midnight Madness last night. It was a great success. Many fans came out to see our team. We did not keep any stats for this game. But I will now introduce you to the 2007 Morehead State Eagles.


Number Name Class Position Height/Weight Hometown

15 Milton Cole SR. PF 6'6" 216 lbs Bakersfeild, Ca

2 J.R. Hickman SR. SG 6'4" 170 lbs San Bernardino, Ca

11 Marquise Chiles JR. PG 6'0" 155 lbs Chicago, Il

21 Fabrice Nash SO. SG 6'3" 185 lbs Cincinnati, Oh

14 Zach Wentt JR. SG 6'3" 185 lbs New York, Ny

34 Rodney Tran FR. SF 6'4" 205 lbs Chicago, Il

22 Erik Ibikunie JR. PF 6'7" 215 lbs Cincinnati, Oh

5 Demario Callier JR. PG 6'2" 200 lbs Westminster, Co

53 Hehima Salow SO. C 6'10" 235 lbs Suffolk, Va

4 Rod Timba FR. PG 5'4" 175 lbs Detroit, Mi

1 Marion Desilos FR. SG 6'4" 185 lbs University Park, Pa

41 Mike Hoffman FR. PF 6'8" 240 lbs Atlanta, Ga

12 Emerson Barro FR. PF 6'6" 190 lbs San Fransico, Ca

10 Marius Dunn FR. PG 6'1" 180 lbs Los Angeles, Ca

45 Haiston McCoy FR. C 6"10" 305 lbs Chicago, Il


We have eight returning players.

We have seven Freshmen.

[coachcraig]

We went into Penn State last night to face a tough Big Ten team. We played well and our Princeton offense looked nice. The half time score was Penn St. 22 Morehead St 20. I pulled the troops together at half time. We came out in the second half lead buy or Freshman player #1 Marion Desilos he hit back to back three's. This gave us the lead and we never looked back.

FINAL SCORE

PENN STATE 31 MOREHEAD STATE 37




MORE HEAD STATE TEAM LEADERS

SCORING

#1 Marion Desilos 12 points

REBOUNDING

#15 Milton Cole 8 rebounds

COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.


Coach how do you feel about your first win here at Morehead State?

Well guys it fills awsome. Anytime you can beat a Big Ten team at their place you have done something big.

What is your overall look at your teams performance tonight?

We were down by two at half and we battled back for the win. We ran our Princeton offense well. Penn State was not able to cover our back cuts. Our deffense played ok but we can do better. One thing is with this team you never know who is going to step up and be a team leader. Tonight we got it from our freshman Marion Desilos he stepped up and got the job done.

What was your halftime speech coach?

We came in the locker room and my returning players had their heads down. They said here we go same as last year another loosing season. With that said I got fired up. I told the we still have a half to play. I told them they can roll over and die like Penn State wants us to. Or you can go out there with some trust in my offense and win a game. All you have to do is do the little things to make the big things happen. We than left the locker room.

Well guys I got to go see you all after our next game.

[skarface2k1]

great start! lets see where you can take this team

[mvlsports]

Congrats on the win!

I'll be starting a new legacy shortly, I'm just getting ready to start season 40 of the current legacy I have going.

See you in Athens, CoachCraig.

[coachcraig]

Me and the my assistant coach have hit the recruiting trail. Here is a list of four of our top recruits.


1. Israel Bridges from Utica,NY. He is 6'11" 240 lbs. He plays as a small foward in high school. He is a five star recruit. He is a great player who can finish strong inside. He is a hard worker that we be a great add to our program.

2. T.R. Ere from North Las Vegas,NY. He is 6'9" 216 lbs. He plays as a power foward in high school. He is a five star recruit. He has lead his high school in scoring the last three years. He has also lead them to two state title berths. He understands the game well and plays great deffense.

3. Belton Galos from Memphis,TN. He is 6'9" 215 lbs. He plays as a small foward in high school. He is a five star recruit. He lead his team in three point % and rebounding for two years. He handles the ball as good as a point guard. He plays well inside but can also step outside and knock shots down.

4. Clifford Wallace from Daily City,CA. He is 7'3" 265 lbs. He plays as a center. He is a five star recruit. He has lead his team in scoring and rebounding for three years. He started varsity as a freshman. He was 7'1" his freshman year so the kid is still growing. His uncle is NBA star Ben Wallace of the Chicago Bulls. He is one of the top big men in the country. He has been invited to play in the Mcdonalds all star game. He is a strong finisher and shot blocker he gets at least four blocks a game. ESPN will be broadcasting some of his games this season.

[coachcraig]

We played our second game last night at South Alabama.

FINAL SCORE

South Alabama 46 Morehead State 38


MOREHEAD STATE LEADERS

SCORING

#15 Milton Coles 10 points

REBOUNDING

#2 J.R. Hickman 4 boards

#22 Erik Ibikenie 4 boards


COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.

Coach what happened tonight?

All I can say is turnovers. We gave up the ball to many times. We just fell apart. Nothing went right for us. We got behind early and never got into the game. South Alabama is a great team what can I say they played better and wanted it more than us.

Coach what kind of ajustments are you going to make for our next game?

Well I will tell you this our practices this week wont be no walk in the park for my players. We will be hitting drills hard. I will not be getting out hustled like this no more. You will see a totally new team next game.

Coach we have heard the negitives of tonights game in your eyes what were some of the positives?

When we ran our offense right we got open looks and scored. I have got to get my players to trust me and this new offense. Also Milton Cole had a nice game. We got the ball in to him on the block and he finished. We also played a 1-3-1 zone that worked real good. With a little bit of ajustment we will be right back in the hunt. The season is still young and we got our first loss out of our system early. Well guys I got to go and get my practice schedule together. I will see you all next game and hopefully we will be talking after a Morehead State victory. Good Night All!

[skarface2k1]

Sound good coach.Keep up the good work.

[coachcraig]

We had our first home game last night. I want to thank all of you that attended the game. We had over 2,000 in attendance at Johnson Arena.

FINAL SCORE

MOREHEAD ST. 40 E. TENNESSEE ST. 39



MOREHEAD ST. LEADERS

SCORING

#11 Marquise Chiles 15 points

REBOUNDING

#22 Erik Ibikunie 8 boards


COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.

Coach what a close game whats your thoughts about it?

Man what more can the fans ask for for a home opener. A one point win. Our offense played real good but we did not play deffense well at all. The best deffense we played was with 15 seconds left when Milton Cole blocked the shot to lead the fast break for Marquise Chile's winning jumper. Chiles played a good game he showed great leadership out there.

Coach how do you feel after getting your first home win here at Morehead St.?

I am in seventh heaven right now. Who would think that a high school coach in his first year at Morehead St. would have a 2 win 1 loss record? I did not think I would have such good success right away at this level. But teams better watch out becuse we still have not played our best ball yet.

Coach how do you fell about the fan support at tonights game?

We had over 2,000 fans here at Johnson Arena tonight. At times I felt all 2,000 + making noise. But with this said I know that we have more fans than that so I am laying down a challenge to the students to get more fans in the stands. I am telling you right now fans Morehead St. is for real so watch out for us come March.

I want to say one last thing before I call it a night. I want to tell E. Tennessee St. you guys played great and gave us a great game. We just got lucky that the ball dropped our way. If we don't get that block and fast break bucket we would standing here with a different outcome. Good night all and see you at our next game.

[coachcraig]

A good Marshall team came into Johnson Arena last night for a game but left with their tails between their legs.

FINAL SCORE

MOREHEAD ST. 49 MARSHALL 24


MOREHEAD ST. TEAM LEADERS

SCORING AND REBOUNDING


#2 J.R. Hickman 14 points

#15 Milton Cole 10 points and 9 boards

COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.

Coach your team played great may we get your thoughts?

First of all Marshall is a way better team than they showed tonight. We just took them out of their game plan early. We played the best D we have played all season. We did not give Marshall very many second looks at the basket. Our full court trap press worked great. We knew from our scouting report that Marshall did not have very good ball handlers so we pressed them and it all worked out. Milton Cole played a all around great game on both sides of the floor. Also J.R. Hickman knocked down a lot of good open shots for us.

Coach it looks like you are making great adjustments to your team?

I am getting to know my team better each day. I now know who plays well with who. My team is loaded with tallent. Look at the stats and you will see we dont have the same leaders every game. We always have someone new lighting our fire.

Coach you are now 3-1 how do you feel about this?

Well you know its not me thats is 3-1 its my team. They make me look like a coaching genius. I can tell them what to do on the floor but I cant play for them. They are grasping our Princeton Offense well and making it work.

Well guys I got to go I got to study some game film on W. Illinois. I will see you all after our next game at W. Illinois.

[coachcraig]

I wanted to update you all on how recruitment is coming.I have just got back from visiting 7'3" Clifford Wallace and his family. This kid is the real deal. He has great knowledge of the game. He always has a ball in his hand. Even as I was talking to him he had a ball. I also had the privledge to meet his uncle Ben Wallace the NBA star from the Bulls. We joked around and he told me he was big Ben and his nephew was a wrist watch. I thought that was funny. Clifford has it a little better off than most. He and his uncle are real close. On Ben's off days you can find him at Clifford's house working with him. Clifford's work habit's alone should put him up high on the recruiting list.

[coachcraig]

The Morehead State Eagles found themselfs in another close game last night. The eagles fought tough till the end.



FINAL SCORE

MOREHEAD STATE 36 W. ILLINOIS 34

MOREHEAD STATE TEAM LEADERS

SCORING

#21 Fabrice Nash 14 points

#11 Marquise Chiles 10 points

REBOUNDING

#15 Milton Cole 8 boards

COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.

Coach can you give us your game summary on this close game?

Let me catch my breath for a minute. Man was that close or what? W. Illinois had their fans primed for this one and they gave them a show. We were tied at half time 24 to 24. Marquise Chiles played great in the first half scoring 10 points. Fabrice Nash added 7 points in the first half as well. Marquise Chiles picked up two fouls in the first half. When we came out in the second half he picked up another quick foul so he was ridin the pine for awhile. W. Illinois did not give a inch they matched us basket for basket. With three minutes left I put Chiles back in and he wasn't in the game for a second and he reached in and had his fourth foul. As I was looking over my bench to get a sub for him the kid fouled out. So with 15 seconds left we are all tied 34 to 34. Fabrice Nash gets a steal and crosses half court I call a time out with 10 seconds left in the game. I go to my bread and butter play that worked well for my high school team. I prayed it would work tonight. The ball was going to be in Nash's hands for a shot. If he don't make it we go to O.T. if he makes it we win. No pressure on the kid right? We ran the play and with 2 seconds left Hash gets open on a pick and has a open 10 foot jumper. Nothing but net and the horn sounds.

Coach you have been in a few close games how do you guys keep comming out on top?

It all sums up to one word. Heart. My guys have got the don't quit attitude. Thats why we are 4-1 baby. Well guys we have a long trip home so I need to get going. I will see you all at Johnson Arena after our game with Austin Peay. Hope its not a close one I don't think my heart will take it. Good night all.

[coachcraig]

Austin Peay stepped into the roof shaking Johnson Arena last night. They left the Arena in a not so good mood.


FINAL SCORE

MOREHEAD STATE 58 AUSTIN PEAY 29


MOREHEAD STATE TEAM LEADERS

SCORING

#11 Marquise Chiles 28 points

REBOUNDING

#15 Milton Cole 4 boards


COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.

Coach whats your thoughts on Marquise Chiles unstopable game?

Marquise is a great player. He told me this week in prtatice that he was really upset with himself for fouling out the last game. He told me he was going to make it up tonight. Boy did he!! He was on fire. We did not grab to many rebounds becuse he was not missing.

Whats you thoughts on the rest of your teams performance?

We played well our D was tight and we gave Austin Peay fits with our full court press. Plus they could not guard Chiles. At half time Chiles had 12 points he told his team mates to ride his coat tail to the end.

Well guys I dont have much more to say plus I promised to take my wife out for a nice dinner. I will see you guys here after our game with Murray State.

[coachcraig]

Next up for the Morehead St. Eagles was Murry St. here are the stats.


FINAL SCORE

MOREHEAD STATE 40 MURRAY STATE 19


MOREHEAD STATE TEAM LEADERS

SCORING

#11 Marquise Chiles 12 points

#15 Milton Cole 10 points

REBOUNDING

#22 Erik Ibikunie 9 boards

COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.

Coach tell us how you got your team to gel together?

It all strats at practice. I tell them we will practice like we play. I use a lot of game type scenerio's to teach my players how to react with certin situations.

Coach how do you feel your team performed tonight?

I think we did awsome. Chile's has stepped up to be our team leader. Our D was dominating. Poor Murray St. could not get across half court. Our full court press was great. As a team we are averaging 45 points a game thats darn good. To hold a team to just 19 points is not bad. Alot of teams score 19 points in a half. Well I need to go and sit in the hot tub my back is a little stiff. I will see you all at Tennessee Martin.

[coachcraig]

The Eagles took the trip to Tennessee-Martin last night. Here are all the game stats.


FINAL SCORE

MOREHEAD STATE 59 TENNESSEE-MARTIN 35


TEAM LEADERS FOR MOREHEAD STATE

SCORING

#11 Marquise Chiles 12 points

#34 Rodney Tran 11 points

REBOUNDING

#15 Milton Cole 5 boards

#34 Rodney Tran 5 boards



COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.

Coach you are now on a six game win streak how do you feel about that?

To be 7-1 right now is good. But you must remember the season is still young. I can just hope we still have this fuel in our fire come March. We can just take it one game at a time.

Coach may we get your thoughts on how tonights game went?

We I thought tonight went very well for us. Once more Marquise Chiles showed great leadership. Also Rodney Tran had one of his best all around games of the season. As a team we played great D. We had a lot of steals for fast break baskets. As a team we are hot and playing good basketball right now. I talked to the Tennessee-Martin coach after the game and he told me that we are a tough team to scout. He said we scout a certin player and when we play you a different player is the scorer.

Coach how long do you think this team can keep winning like this?

You never can tell. You never know we could go into a losing streak and fall from the top to the bottom. I always say never count you chickens before they are hatched. Well guys I got to go to prepair for E. Illinois see you all after our next game.

[coachcraig]

Tonight the eagles flew into E. Illinois and flew out with their prey in their claws. Here is all the stats.



FINAL SCORE

MOREHEAD STATE 59 E. ILLINOIS 31


MOREHEAD STATE TEAM LEADERS

SCORING

#11 Marquise Chiles 18 points

REBOUNDING

#53 Heshima Salow 6 boards

COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.

Coach Chiles had another great performance tonight. Explan how he has became such a team leader overnight?

All I can say is motivation. Every since he fouled out of the game a couple weeks ago his game has stepped up. Its awsome when a little thing like fouling out a game motivates a player to be a team leader. You know players foul out every day it don't bother many of them at all. I guess this is why Marquise Chiles is such a good player becuse he is not like everyone else.

Coach your team had another great showing tonight whats your thoughts?

We are playing great as a team right now. I have worked on my offense with my team and they have learned how to make it work. Our bench players gave us a great lift tonight. Heshima Salow did a great job when he had to come in and replace Milton Cole after Cole rolled his ankle.

Coach whats the word on Milton Cole's ankle?

First word I got from my trainer was that Milton has a minor sprain. He should be good to go for the next game. He is in good hands in my mind we have the best trainers in the NCAA. Well I need to go do a follow up with my trainers on Milton's injury. If there are any changes I will let you guys know asap. Thank you and see you after our next game.

[skarface2k1]

Your team is playing great basketball.The way you talk about the games it's like your there.Good luck with the rest of the season.

[mvlsports]

How are things going with Clifford Wallace? How interested is he? I haven't heard of anyone landing a 5-star recruit in year one in the career mode.

[coachcraig]

INJURY REPORT

Well guys I just wanted to touch base with you all on Milton Cole's injury. Well first of all Milton is doing fine. He had a minor ankle sprain. He practiced yesterday with no pain at all. So he will be good for the next game.


RECRUITMENT NEWS

I have just got back from Tennessee were I watched Belton Galos's game. Man he is a sweet player. He plays as a foward and man is he good. His game is alot like the famous Scottie Pipen. I watched him dunk over a kid. He is a high flyer. It was like I was at a three ring circus. I watched him finish strong inside and score go down the floor and block a shot and then run up the floor and hit a open three. This kid is amazing. He finished the game with 35 points and 5 blocks. He also grabbed 10 boards. His free throw percentage is 85% and he is 87% from the three point line. As I talked to his parents during the game they were real happy with what me and Morehead State had in mind for their child. Belton is a only child and his parents want the best for him I told them that Morehead State and Belton Galos would be a match made in heaven.

In other recruiting news I spoke over the phone with 7'3" Clifford Wallace last night. As of right now we here at Morehead State is his leading school for next year. If we land him he will be one of the biggest sought after recruits in school history. I will let you all know next week on some more news. I will be visting a couple more recruits next week. I will keep you all informed on our latest recruitment news as it happens.

[skarface2k1]

INJURY REPORT

Well guys I just wanted to touch base with you all on Milton Cole's injury. Well first of all Milton is doing fine. He had a minor ankle sprain. He practiced yesterday with no pain at all. So he will be good for the next game.


RECRUITMENT NEWS

I have just got back from Tennessee were I watched Belton Galos's game. Man he is a sweet player. He plays as a foward and man is he good. His game is alot like the famous Scottie Pipen. I watched him dunk over a kid. He is a high flyer. It was like I was at a three ring circus. I watched him finish strong inside and score go down the floor and block a shot and then run up the floor and hit a open three. This kid is amazing. He finished the game with 35 points and 5 blocks. He also grabbed 10 boards. His free throw percentage is 85% and he is 87% from the three point line. As I talked to his parents during the game they were real happy with what me and Morehead State had in mind for their child. Belton is a only child and his parents want the best for him I told them that Morehead State and Belton Galos would be a match made in heaven.

In other recruiting news I spoke over the phone with 7'3" Clifford Wallace last night. As of right now we here at Morehead State is his leading school for next year. If we land him he will be one of the biggest sought after recruits in school history. I will let you all know next week on some more news. I will be visting a couple more recruits next week. I will keep you all informed on our latest recruitment news as it happens.


Man, Belton Galos sound like a real life beast.Him on the same team with C.wallace is going to be a hard team to beat.Good luck with signing them.

[coachcraig]

Tonight C. Michigan came to Johnson arena but left some not so happy campers. Here is the game stats.




FINAL SCORE

MOREHEAD STATE 42 C. MICHIGAN 27



MOREHEAD STATE TEAM LEADERS

POINTS

#11 Marquise Chiles 17 points

#21 Fabrice Nash 10 points

REBOUNDS

#15 Milton Cole 8 boards




COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.


Coach how do you think Milton Cole played comming off a injury?


At first Milton was favoring the ankle. But as the game went on you could never tell the kid was hurt. He did real well on the glass tonight.

Once more Marquise Chiles lead your offense attack may we get your thoughts on this?

Sometimes I think you guys at the press think this team is a one man show. Yes Marquise has been doing great things for us. But he don't do it alone. Someone must get him the ball to score. You guys forgot Fabrice Nash had a great game as well with 10 points. Marquise will tell you its not all about him. Thats one thing about you press people that ticks me off. You find one story and ride it all season. You guys could have noticed how well our deffense played holding C. Michigan to 27 points. Well I got to go next time try to bring some questions that don't have the words Marquise Chiles in it.

[coachcraig]

Morehead State just keeps on winning. Tennessee St. came into Johnson arena and became another win in the win streak for Morehead State. Here are the stats.



FINAL SCORE

MOREHEAD STATE 32 TENNESSEE ST. 28


MOREHEAD STATE TEAM LEADERS

SCORING

#11 Marquise Chiles 10 points

REBOUNDING

#15 Milton Cole 5 boards


COACH CRAIG'S POST GAME PRESS CONF.

Coach your team is on a nine game win streak how do you guys keep winning?

Well guys we are playing great as a team right now. Our deffense is what is winning games for us. We are holding alot of teams under 30 points. Tonight was no exeption we held Tennessee St. to 28 points. But we only scored 32 points our selfs. That made this game close at the end.

Coach you are undefeated in the Ohio Valley Conference how do you feel about that?

Its a good feeling. But we play each OVC team twice. We may beat them the first time but the second time they no what to look out for. So ask me this question once more in March. You never no maybe we will have won the OVC by then.

Coach your team is off to the best start in school history. Whats your thoughts on this?

Who would think that a coach from a small Ohio high school like Philo would be setting records. Makes you wonder why I never took Philo to a Ohio high school state title. I am just glad Morehead State took a chance on me. Well guys got to go catch a flight to New York to visit a recruit. See all of you after the game with Tennessee Tech.

[coachcraig]

MOREHEAD STATE'S WEEKLY RECRIUTMENT NEWS


This is coach Craig I have just returned from North Las Vegas New York. This is the home of T.R. Ere. As I sat in the gym watching this player do his thing. I look to my right and saw coach K from Duke. He approached me to talk. I was shocked he knew who I was. He told me he had heard alot about this kid named T.R. Ere and thought he would check him out. As I watched T.R. did not play real well and fouled out of the game in the begining of the second half. He finished the game with 8 points. But that worked out great for me. Coach K said man that kid is not as good as everyone said. Coach K said he wasted his time watching T.R. But me on the other hand talked to T.R. and his family at the local Applebees. Deep in my mind I know T.R. is a great player. His family was really happy with what I had to say about Morehead State. It all payed off T.R. scored 50 points and grabbed 12 rebounds last night. Man was I glad he did not play that way with Coach K watching. If he did he might have been going to Duke next year. But as it stands right now Morehead State is the top school on T.R. Ere's list.

[guckin1989]

Are you really able to recruit 5* recruits? Because i didn't think you were able to in the first season. But anyways good stuff and keep it up.

[CincyFan]

I have just got back from Tennessee were I watched Belton Galos's game. Man he is a sweet player.


I really don't know why, but i always get a good laugh at this. I will say when i was grad. high school and a coach said i was a sweet player i would of def. signed with that school.

[skarface2k1]

What is your teams record?