CLICK HERE for all of the Hoops HD Preseason Articles, Interviews, and Conference Previews
We continue our 2016-17 season preview interview series with Middle Tennessee SR PF Reggie Upshaw. He has not missed a single game during his 1st 3 years in Murfreesboro while displaying his amazing versatility: he led the team in REB as a sophomore and in AST/STL as a junior. He also singlehandedly ruined brackets across the country last March with 21 PTS/4 REB/4 AST/3 BLK/1 STL in an upset of Michigan State in the NCAA tourney. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Reggie about making a pair of FTs to clinch a conference tourney title and helping to write 1 of the best Cinderella stories in NCAA history.
Your father Reggie Sr. played football at Middle Tennessee: how much of an influence was he on your own decision to become a Blue Raider? Knowing that he played football here kind of influenced me, but he never pushed his alma mater over any other school that was recruiting me. He sat me down, told me to make the decision that was best for me, and that he would support me no matter what.
Last December you scored a career-high 32 PTS (13-16 FG) in a win over Trevecca: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? It was a combination of the hard work that I put in leading up to that game, the confidence of my teammates getting me the ball, and the coach putting me in good spots to put the ball into the hoop.
You finished the season by leading the team in RPG/AST/STL: how do you balance your rebounding with your passing with your defense? I just try to be in the best shape that I can. Anytime you lead your team in so many categories it shows how hard you work. I am not worried about getting certain stats: I just try to make the right plays at the right time.
In the 2016 C-USA tourney title game you scored 9 PTS including a pair of FTs with 2.9 seconds left in a 2-PT win over Old Dominion en route to being named tourney MVP: did you think that you were going to make both FTs, and what was the reaction like when you got back to campus? After I got fouled I knew that I had to make at least 1 and that if I did we would have a good chance to win. The Monarchs almost converted a last-second shot that would have won the game. Once we got back to campus everyone was ecstatic for us and very supportive during the selection show the following Sunday. You could see the brand all throughout Murfreesboro because everyone was so excited.
Take me through the 2016 NCAA tourney:
You scored 21 PTS in a 9-PT win over #2-seed Michigan State: how did that game change your life (if at all)? Now when we go around town people recognize us at the bowling alley/restaurant and will come up to congratulate us on having a great game. As far as basketball, I got a lot of recognition and had to do a lot of TV interviews!
You had 8 REB in a loss to Syracuse: what did you learn from that game that you think can help you this year? I learned that we have to be more aggressive. We hung in with them until the 2nd half and played good defense: we just need to assert our authority on the offensive end and get the ball into the paint like we did against the Spartans.
You play for Coach Kermit Davis: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have ever learned from him? He comes to practice every day with the mindset to win that day. He put up some quotes in our locker room: 1 that I noticed is that “every rep has a life of its own”. He approaches each day of practice as if it were our last. He taught me a lot about how to take on responsibilities both on and off the court: if I make a mistake on the court then I will take the blame and learn from my actions.
Your non-conference schedule includes games against UNC-Wilmington/Mississippi/Vanderbilt/VCU: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? We put a lot of emphasis on VCU last year: they are a smaller school like we are so we can relate to them. We only lost to the Rams by 6 points last year so our returning players know how big it will be.
You are 1 of 4 seniors on the roster: how crucial will all of that experience be to your team’s success? It will play a big part. 1 transferred from Arkansas, 1 was great for us in March, and 1 will help a lot off the bench. We will show the younger players the ropes and how Coach Davis wants us to approach every practice/game.
During the summer you had surgery to repair a damaged ligament in his left wrist: how is your health at the moment? It is great. I went to the doctor last month and got cleared to start practice/have contact so everything will be good to go.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Our goal is to get the most out of each day. We definitely expect to be back in the NCAA tourney and expect to win our conference: anything less will be upsetting due to how dedicated we are each day.