Last Saturday Morehead State beat Little Rock 69-55 in the OVC tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Eagles missed out on the NCAA tourney for 9 straight year from 2012-2020 but have now made it twice in the past 4 years. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Morehead State SR PG Drew Thelwell about being the winningest player in school history.
You play for Coach Preston Spradlin: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? The connection he builds with his players. We have a true gentlemanly bond and it makes being here a joy. He teaches us aspects of life such as patience: when you come here as a freshman you might need to wait your turn.
In the 2023 NIT you scored 11 PTS in a win at Clemson and then 13 PTS in a loss at UAB: what did you learn from that postseason run that you think will help you next week? If you can get focused and get all your guys on 1 page then anything can happen. If you believe in your team then you can pull it all together.
Last October you learned that 2023 conference POY Mark Freeman would miss the entire season with a wrist injury: what was your reaction when you learned the news, and did you really think that you could end up in the NCAA tourney without your best player? I was hurt to hear the news: he is my brother. However, I always knew that somebody would step up and help us find a way to win.
Last December you set a school record with 19 AST in a win over Alice Lloyd College, and your 6.3 APG is #15 in the nation: what is the secret to being a good PG? Trusting your teammates/coaches. You have to be unselfish and the staff always put me in positions to make the right play.
You had a brutal non-conference schedule including road games at Alabama/Purdue/Penn State/Indiana: which of those teams impressed you the most? Purdue: Zach Edey is a big guy unlike anyone I have seen before. We can compete with those teams no matter which school’s name is on our opponents’ chest.
Your team has been great on defense as you are top-30 in the nation in both 2-PT% allowed/3-PT% allowed: what is the key to playing great defense? Knowing that somebody has your back: you are not out there by yourself so communication is very important.
You are 1 of 5 senior starters: how crucial has all that veteran leadership been to your success? It has been great: leadership is not a 1-man thing. You need to work together and it is handy to get the views of all the older guys.
1 of those senior starters (Riley Minix) led the conference with 706 PTS en route to being named conference POY: what makes him such a great player? He is so versatile. There are some things he does that still surprise me even today! It has been a blessing to play with him.
Your 91 career wins (and counting) are the most in school history: what does it mean to you to have your name in the record book for that amazing accomplishment? It means a lot…but I know that my teammates/coaches have helped us win all those games.
What kind of seed do you think you deserve, and what kind of seed do you think you will get? It does not really matter to me: I just want to go out there with my guys, have fun, and give it my all.