Golden Eagles Host Media Day & Haunted Hoops Friday
10/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 26, 2007
Coach Crean Opening Comments (Audio)
Milwaukee - The latest edition of the Marquette University men's basketball program was introduced to the local media Friday afternoon at the Al McGuire Center in the team's annual media day and the team also hosted "Haunted Hoops."
Head coach Tom Crean addressed over 30 members of the greater Milwaukee area's print, radio, television and internet media, followed by a team photo and one-on-one player interviews.
A consensus top-15 preseason selection, the Golden Eagles are ranked 12th in the ESPN/USA Today Poll, released Friday morning. MU is ranked as high as eighth in the nation by the national publications.
"It's fantastic that our program is receiving predictions for success in the preseason polls," Crean said. "It's exciting for the University, the city and the state of Wisconsin.
"You can never take it for granted," Crean said. "Walking past the statue of Al McGuire every day helps me to not take it for granted and I hope our fans don't either."
The Golden Eagles welcomed almost 400 fans to its annual fish fry and a large crowd watched an open practice following dinner at the Al McGuire Center. The MU basketball staff supervised numerous games and activities for the kids, who then paraded around the arena with coach Crean to show off their respective Halloween costumes. The Blue team defeated the Gold in a 20-minute scrimmage.
"We are focusing on improving on a daily basis," Crean said. "We can't lose the speed, quickness and pace that we play with, but at the same time we have to become a much more physical team."