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Chat Reel: Troy Murphy
Murphy looking forward to senior season
Posted: Wednesday October 25, 2000 8:14 PM
Updated: Thursday October 26, 2000 9:14 AM
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Murphy led the Irish with 22.7 points and 10.3 rebounds a game last season. Todd Warshaw/Allsport |
You can't blame Troy Murphy for being bitter about Matt Doherty's departure for North Carolina.
The former Notre Dame coach led the Irish to their best season in years, then bolted for Chapel Hill. Murphy, one the nation's best returning players, told CNNSI.com he has gotten over the disappointment, but it took a few days.
"It was upsetting to hear," he said. "But things do happen, and Notre Dame is lucky to have a guy like coach (Mike) Brey."
Murphy spent some time with CNNSI.com users on Wednesday, Oct. 25. A transcription follows:
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's chat with Notre Dame senior forward Troy Murphy. Welcome, Troy. Thanks for spending some time with us.
Troy Murphy: Thank you very much for having me.
From Bob Kennedy in Notre Dame, Ind.: How important is Notre Dame to your success as a basketball player and a person? Why have you been so successful at Notre Dame and what do you value about the school itself?
Troy Murphy: Notre Dame is a great place, a place where they take care of their student athletes. Where they give them a great education and give them a team to play on that is known around the world and it has been the greatest for me and I enjoy all the time I spend there.
From Gary in Honolulu: How has the experience, playing against NBA players at both the Pete Newell Big Man Camp and the Olympic team, affected your game both mentally and physically?
Troy Murphy: It was an awakening for me to play at the Big Man camp and to play the dream team. As a member of the U.S. Select Team, it showed me a lot about the time and effort that goes into these teams. It is all about basketball. That's their job and they take it very seriously. And they make it known that they don't want any young guys coming in and taking their spots so they play as hard as they possibly can.
From Mike Coffey in Downers Grove, Ill.: Troy, how do you see your role changing this season in coach Brey's offense as opposed to the systems used your past two seasons?
Troy Murphy: I see it as not changing that much compared to the last two years. I will still be counted on for points and rebounds, but they won't be so dependent on me to produce points, which should be a lot easier.
From Paul Green in Pineville, Ky.: What do you think about going against Kentucky this year and playing in front of more than 23,000 in Rupp Arena? Does that get you pumped?
Troy Murphy: It does get you pumped up and Kentucky is a good team, and they have a lot of good players. So we want to go down there and have a good showing.
From Melissa Ashton in Lawrence, Kan.: How upset were when you heard coach Doherty was leaving Notre Dame? Didn't he tell you he was staying?
Troy Murphy: It was upsetting to hear especially the timing in the middle of the summer when you don't expect things like that to happen. But things do happen and Notre Dame is lucky to have a guy like coach Brey.
From Dan Kortenber in New Haven, Ind.: Will Notre Dame finally be the best college basketball team in the state of Indiana this year?
Troy Murphy: I think so, we have a lot of good players. Indiana is a basketball hotbed as they say, and we have the chance to be the best team in Indiana this year.
From Dogg: Troy, you're a very talented player and a great all around player. Who helped mold you into the player you are today?
Troy Murphy: I'd say my AAU coach, Tony Sagona, my parents, and my college coaches coach MacLeod, Doherty and Brey.
From spazz: Troy, how is the team reacting with a sudden coaching change?
Troy Murphy: At first it was really tough, but we stuck through it together. So we were that much stronger to deal with it.
From Cameron Scobie in Yardley, Pa.: How do you think the addition of freshman Torrian Jones will help your backcourt?
Troy Murphy: He's the type of player that Notre Dame hasn't had in a long time in the backcourt. He's tremendously skilled and athletic and he will be a great addition this season.
From Miller Peer in Atlanta: Troy, what do you think the major difference will be between the team under coach Brey versus coach Doherty?
Troy Murphy: I am really not sure. I haven't played for coach Brey for that long. Coach Doherty was very animated, and I don't think coach Brey is like that. So it is a matter of style mostly. We'll have to wait and see. Sometimes it is good to get yelled at, but everyone reacts differently to that kind of criticism.
From spazz: I will be watching you a lot since I attend Holy Cross College, will this be the year that you finally reach "The Show"?
Troy Murphy: Absolutely, we are going to play in "The Show" this year.
From JMark: How much of a role if any has God played in your career and life?
Troy Murphy: God has played a large role in my career and my life. God is extremely important and I give thanks to Him everyday and I understand that through Him all things are possible.
From yoder1: Who would you compare your game to the most?
Troy Murphy: I really don't know I've tried to play like guys I watched when I was growing up, Austin Croshere and Keith Van Horn. But those guys were so good that I hope that someday I can play on the same level they do.
From Slickboy: Who plays the best defense against you and who is the toughest to defend?
Troy Murphy: I'd say, from Syracuse's Etan Thomas and Ryan Humphrey from Notre Dame. They were high school teammates, and I can only imagine what they did to guys in high school! They played out of Tulsa, Okla.
From Trains3: Hey T-Roy, I heard your former teammate and good friend Jimmy Dillon is playing basketball overseas. Do you know where and for what team?
Troy Murphy: I have an idea that Jimmy is entertaining offers to go overseas, but I don't think he picked where he is going to play yet.
From a guest: Did you feel deserted by coach Doherty?
Troy Murphy: To a certain extent yes. At first you have someone who left for another team, but looking back we can understand what factors were part of it. I was bitter at first, but now I am happy for him and wish him well.
From Nikki: If it's not too personal, what are you majoring in?
Troy Murphy: I'm majoring in sociology.
From Nikki: What was it about Notre Dame that drew you there in the first place?
Troy Murphy: The great academics and athletics that Notre Dame has to offer . I don't think you can find that combination anywhere else in the country.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Notre Dame senior Troy Murphy. Thanks again for stopping by, Troy. Good luck this season.
Troy Murphy: Thank you very much for having me!
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