NCAA Men's 1st and 2nd Rounds: Hartford Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Hartford, Connecticut Ja Morant Shaq Buchanan year. Murray State Racers ERNIE DUNCAN: Like you said, Murray has a great tradition, and this is our goal since June, when we first Q. I was wondering, from both your perspectives, stepped on campus with the team we have now. We we know when they're on defense, you're on put a lot of time and hard work into this, and just offense. They're going to focusing a lot of hanging another banner feels good. attention on Ja. What game plan are you expecting and how are you going to beat it? Q. Ja, I know you've got a huge cheering section SHAQ BUCHANAN: This year we saw a whole bunch and family that come to every game. How many of different defense for Ja. We prepare for it. From people are you expecting and what has that level of film, they play solid man defense. I don't expect support meant to you throughout the season? nothing different. We been preparing for it the whole JA MORANT: As of right now, I have like 15 coming. I week. know most people don't get the support from families. Sometimes their families can't make it in, and just with JA MORANT: Like Shaq said, all year, we've been me being nine hours from Murray State and probably seeing different types of defensive schemes against further from here, just to have my family come, it just me. And we watch film and they played a lot of man, feels good and I just appreciate it. so that's what we prepare for. Also, just go through some of the other stuff, like if they go zone, anything, Q. Ja, your national profile has really risen here so -- this year. I'm curious kind of how you've tried to deal with that and just what you think about all of Q. Shaq, I'm sure you guys are going to alternate the extra attention you're getting, the magazine defensive assignments on Markus Howard, after articles, ESPN and all that stuff, what's that been studying him for a few days. What are you are you like? going to try to key in on defensively? JA MORANT: It's something I'm not used to. I come SHAQ BUCHANAN: I know he's a very great player on from being under the radar. My coaches, my offense, had different moves. I did study a lot of film on teammates, really helped me with it. They haven't that. I'm accepting the challenge to guard Markus looked at me any different since I guess my name Howard. started to get out there. And my parents, I give most of the credit to them for keeping me level headed. Q. Jumping off on guarding Markus Howard, I'm sure it will be multiple assignments. How much do Q. Ja, you started generating a lot of buzz at the you think you'll get a chance at guarding Markus, Chris Paul camp in the summer. What do you Ja? remember about that experience? I know Markus JA MORANT: Me and Shaq both have the assignment Howard was there. Did you get to interact with him on Howard, and we have been studying film on him. after that experience? He's a great scorer, and we're both ready to take on JA MORANT: Markus actually was the first person I the challenge. talked to. We had a meeting that night when we got there. I sat at the table with him and had conversations Q. For both of guys, Ja and Shaq. Murray State with him. The experience was great, just being there has a long history of success in the NCAA with Chris Paul and other NBA players, just to learn Tournament and in the OVC. How much does that some things from them. It was good. motivate you to put another banner up there in the rafters? Q. Ja, just coming from -- lightly recruited as you SHAQ BUCHANAN: It's been a goal of ours, we know were, to on this stage now, what have you thought the type of tradition Murray holds, and know one of the of the whole journey to get here and what that's reasons we came here is to leave our legacy and we been like for you? have a chance to do that with the team we have this Rev #1 by #448 at 2019-03-20 15:20:00 GMT page 1 of 2 JA MORANT: I say it's been rough. Like you said, Q. Ja, one more about the camp with Markus. You coming from being overlooked in high school, and not said he was one of the first guys you talked to. Did receiving that much attention, there was times I you seek him out, or did you know him at all questioned myself: Was I good enough? And now it's beforehand, or was it just a coincidence that he just my hard work is paying off and it feels good. was one of the first guys you connected with there? Q. Ja, I wanted to follow up on the Chris Paul camp JA MORANT: I think it was just coincidence. We just question. What were your impressions of Markus happened to sit at the same table and just got to know Howard at that time? I know he's been injured a each other. He told me that he played at Marquette, little bit lately; in February he got injured. What do and after that, we was just talking throughout the camp, you expect from him. So two questions: What do and now we play against each other tomorrow, so... you expect from him tomorrow and what were your impressions of him at camp? Q. Did you stay in touch? JA MORANT: I expect a lot from Markus tomorrow. He JA MORANT: Yeah, we do stay in touch. had a couple 50-point games. He's a great scorer, and we just going to go out there and try to play our Q. Ja, was there any interaction between you and defense and contain him. I saw that at Chris Paul Markus leading up to this game? camp he was able to get up and down a little bit and he JA MORANT: We spoke a little bit last night, just saying score the ball very well. how it's crazy that we met at the Chris Paul camp and now both, obviously our names are out there, and now Q. Shaq, the OVC was so good this year. Belmont we get to play against each other. again with the win last night. How much from the league helped you get ready tomorrow? SHAQ BUCHANAN: I say, it probably was a tough league. Even though it was a major, it was hard playing those teams twice a year and had to change offense or your defense, you got to go do. Though, we did, it was tough but we grinded it out. Q. Real quick, can you guys talk a little bit about just how the experience from last year in San Diego against West Virginia has prepared you, perhaps, for the match-up tomorrow against Marquette? SHAQ BUCHANAN: I would say last year, it was our first time, so guys are happy to be there. But this year with me and Ja and Brion, we have the focus that we can go far in this tournament. We have the team to do it, and I have all of the confidence we have the team to do it. We'll see how we do Thursday. JA MORANT: Like he said, our first year coming here, we was a little excited. I say probably a little bit nervous. This being our second year, we're a little bit more comfortable and ready to lead this team to go deep in the tournament. Q. I understand you're from the same hometown as Ray Allen. I read your father was actually a high school teammate of his. I wonder if that's the case, if you've gotten to know Ray at all, if he's been a sounding board or played any role in your life at all? JA MORANT: I really haven't spoke to Ray as much. Him and my dad and my uncle are still close, so I get the chance -- I spoke with his mom a little bit. But other than that, I really haven't. Rev #1 by #448 at 2019-03-20 15:20:00 GMT page 2 of 2 NCAA Men's 1st and 2nd Rounds: Hartford Wednesday, March 20, 2019 Hartford, Connecticut Matt McMahon Murray State Racers battle, and on down the line. I think, for us to beat a team of their quality, we'll have to play exceptionally COACH MATT MCMAHON: Thank you. Excited to be well both ends of the floor. here. I have a lot of respect for a very good Marquette team we'll see tomorrow. Our guys have had a long Q. You know, you have two good defenders in Ja layoff here, 11 days now. But they're excited to get and Shaq on the perimeter. Without divulging too back on the court and play tomorrow. much of the game plan, are you going to throw both of those guys on Markus Howard a little bit? Q. You guys have been really good defending the COACH MATT MCMAHON: I'm not sure how we'll three-pointer.