USM learns lesson from 3 a.m. work
By By Austin Bishop / EMG Regional Sports Director
Jan. 5, 2003
HATTIESBURG There is something about practicing from 3 a.m. until daybreak that will get your attention.
Following a 92-46 loss to Auburn on Monday, the University of Southern Mississippi men's basketball team got off the bus following the long trip home and onto the court to work on a few things.
At least a portion of the result of that early morning workout was evident on Saturday afternoon, as USM knocked off Murray (Ky.) State an NCAA Tournament team last season by the score of 56-54 in front of 2,702 fans in the Reed Green Coliseum.
That was on early Tuesday. By Saturday afternoon, some of the soreness was about gone, but the lessons of the workout were still burned into the memories of the 10 Golden Eagle players.
While it was important for the USM players to perform well after the humiliating loss to the Tigers and the special attention' they received from coach Green, it was also important because the next thing up for the Golden Eagles is Conference USA play, beginning with home games against Texas Christian University on Wednesday and the University of Memphis on Saturday.
That will be followed by road trips to South Florida and Alabama-Birmingham, before a two-game home stand with Houston and Louisville. Things are getting tougher, not easier for the Golden Eagles.
The win over Murray State was a counter when it comes to those victories that earn you respect.
The Racers, who lost to Georgia last year in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, came into the game with a 7-4 record, including an 83-72 win over a Western Kentucky team that defeated USM.
A loss, especially after leading by as many as 12 points in the game, would have been devastating for USM. The win gives the Golden Eagles a lift.
Texas Christian, who visits Hattiesburg Wednesday at 7 p.m., is 6-5 on the season, while Memphis who comes to Reed Green Coliseum Saturday at 4 p.m., is 8-2.
For the Golden Eagles to compete in the C-USA's National Division against the likes of Memphis, TCU, UAB, South Florida, Tulane and Houston, they will have to win at home.
And they will have to play tough.
Perhaps that is something USM found out it could do on Saturday afternoon.
