I could never really understand why Morehead, the city, never embraced Morehead, The State University. The town folks, well, they hate the school...I guess the amount of students there during the week, running around town all hours of the day, causing traffic and attracting business to the city is just too much for Aunt Bea and Andy to stomach. I used to live in the city, and I can attest to every bit of this. They hate it. It is on the opposite end of the spectrum from Huntington, which embraces and identifies it's self with Marshall University. You go to a basketball or football game, it's friends and family in the crowd. The Student population does not get out and attend the games regularly, partly because they all go home on the weekends. And we are not talking OU Southern Campus here, we are talking a D1 and FCS school. It's sad.
But, I can't change that with this blog, nor will I try...What I will do is this...tell you all about Morehead Hysteria. Don't worry it's not a strand of H1N1, has nothing to do with the Mayan calendar, and poses no threat of sweeping across the nation, let along the Bluegrass.
It's Morehead State's Basketball Program's answer to Big Blue Madness, and the countless other pre-season showcases amongst college basketball... But after a tournament birth last season, and the return of Kenneth Faried, who decided against an early entry into the NBA and returned to Donnie Tyndall's program for a 4th year. Faried is one of three returning Seniors, however they only return 4 Jr's and the remaining 7 are all in-coming freshman, and 1 sophomore. That sophomore is Drew Kelly, a transfer from Miami of Ohio, and a former Tennessee Mr. Basketball. He starred in high school, obviously by his accolades, and hopefully he can bring some needed athleticism and skill to the Eagles.
Another transfer coming to Morehead State is Jr. Lamont Austin, who is coming to Appalachia by way of Kansas were he shined at Howard Junior College, where he helped his team win the 2010 JUCO National Championship. He shot a 46.4 % from the field last season. A key returner is South Laurel Alumni Ty Proffit, a 6'4'' guard who came to the Eagles by way of Notre Dame. earned 7 starts last season, and relished the role by leading MSU to 5 wins late in the OVC season and into the conference tournament.
Another key peice to the MSU puzzle will be Sr. Demonte Harper. Harper can provide points, as last year he was 3rd on the team in scoring. He led MSU in points in their OVC Tournament Championship win over Murray State with 20. It was not his career best, but it was the most significant performance of his career.
Then you have the freak of nature, Kenneth Faried. Faried flirted with the NBA, but ultimately decided to return to school, which in hindsight will turn out to be a very wise decision for the big man from New Jersey. Was last year's OVC player of the year, and OVC defensive player of the year, and among other awards, was given honorable mention in the AP All-America team. Faried is a pressence. He is a glass cleaner, and a shot blocker, but has also shown he can lead and he can score when needed.
Faried needs to have a big year, as he is the glue that holds the fabric of this program together. As Faried goes this season, so does Morehead State. And if Tyndall and the Eagles hope to sway the Morehead public to support the program, they are going to need to duplicate last season's success. It's a tall order for Morehead State. So, for the school famous for being the playing home to Phil Simms, They are hoping to add their athletic history with another banner year.
My pre-season prediction- MSU finishes runner-up in the OVC and fails to make another trip to the Dance. I don't think OVC gets more than one in this season. Other pre-season stat line- The 16th region tournament will out draw any single MSU home game all season.
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