The Norse are staying the course, of course, of course! On Tuesday Northern Kentucky beat Wright State 77-66 in the Horizon tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Norse had a bad home loss to Cleveland State in late-February but then turned things around to win each of their past 5 games and claim the school’s 2nd NCAA tourney bid in the past 3 years. Earlier this week HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with JR F Dantez Walton about facing Kentucky back in the 2017 NCAA tourney and being named to this year’s Horizon All-Academic team.
You grew up in Ohio: what made you choose Northern Kentucky? NKU is not far from home, which makes it easier for my family to come watch me play. I also love the environment here as well as the coaching staff.
You play for Coach John Brannen: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? The amount of time he invests in this team and how he treats us like family is what makes him such a great coach. I have learned that consistency is everything.
In the 2017 NCAA tourney as a freshman you played 9 minutes in a loss to Kentucky: what is your favorite memory from your prior participation in March Madness? Coming out onto the floor and seeing the atmosphere that was present and also checking into the game as a freshman.
You played several NCAA tourney-caliber teams this year in non-conference play (including Cincinnati/UCF): which of them impressed you the most, and why? UCF, due to their length and athleticism.
In the Horizon League tourney title game on Tuesday you posted your 1st career double-double with 15 PTS/14 REB in a win over Wright State: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? I just stayed the course and my teammates put their trust in me to go out and perform my best.
Senior big man Drew McDonald was named 2019 conference POY/conference tourney MVP: what makes him such a great player? His IQ level and his ability to read the floor.
What did it mean to you to win a title, and what has the reaction been like since returning to campus? It means a lot because of all the hard work that we have put in both on the court and in the film room: it is just exciting to see it starting to pay off. Also, the atmosphere was and still is unbelievable when seeing how excited the fans and the community are.
You were named to the league’s All-Academic team this year with a 3.57 GPA in Organizational Leadership: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? I am just on top of the books. I really care about my academics and am aiming for A’s at all times.
In the 2018 NIT you had 9 REB in an 8-PT loss at Louisville: what did you learn from that game that will help you this March? Just live in every possession: do not look forward.
What do you think about getting a #14 seed, and what do you know about Texas Tech? I did not have any expectations with the seeding: I am just ready to get out on the court and play this Friday. We know that Texas Tech is a great team with a defensive mindset so we just have to come with our all and leave it on the court.