Stan Heath Press Conference - Mississippi State
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas travels to Mississippi State for a 7 p.m. non-televised game on Wednesday. The Razorbacks are 15-9 overall and 4-6 in the Southeastern Conference. MSU is 13-10 overall and also 4-6. Following is a partial transcript of head coach Stan Heath’s press conference.
“Through the years, our games with Mississippi State have always been very heated, tough games. In my tenure, the start has been a factor on the outcome. Their crowds are always good. We have to make sure Gary (Ervin) is right because they will jump on him quite a bit.”
Steven Hill (hamstring injury):
“In the next couple of days, he will make a lot of improvement. It will take time, but we expect him to be better in the next game. He’s hurt and that was huge (against LSU). He doesn’t get credit for and his stats don’t reflect his defensive rebounding ability. That’s not necessarily because he gets them, but because 99 percent of the time his man doesn’t get it. We missed that, but you have to have some other guys step up.”
Charles Thomas:
“I feel he has improved, but he still has the ability to do more. He’s had a solid performance this year. He’s given us some strong games. The LSU game is indicative of Charles. He had some fouls and didn’t do what he is able to do in the first half. In the second half, he did a lot better.
“He’s a good 15-to-17-foot shooter. We haven’t seen those. If he can get that back, it will open up things for him.”
Michael Washington:
“I’m really proud of Mike. He did a great job. He just came in and played. He has shown so much in practice, but in games he has not quite been confident enough to show his ability. He can really help our team and make a difference for us.
“He has been that fourth post player for us and will be in that same role whether it’s for five, 10, 15 or 20 minutes. It comes down to his performance.”
Sean McCurdy:
“He will come in at point guard. In practice the last week and a half, he has been a much better player. He deserves to be out there.”
