No crying in basketball? Keiton Page braces for Senior Night
Published: 2/26/2012 6:19 PM
Last Modified: 2/26/2012 6:19 PM
Oklahoma State senior guard Keiton Page will play the final regular season home game of his career when Kansas pays a “Big Monday” visit to Gallagher-Iba Arena.
I interviewed Page on the eve of his Senior Night game. Here are some excerpts:
You have a pre-game ritual of talking to your brother, Brady, before every game. Same plan?
“Of course. I talk to him before every game, so I wouldn’t change it for tomorrow night.”
Will the conversation be any different than normal?
“No, probably not. He’ll probably tell me the same thing he always tells me -- just get out there and play hard and get after ‘em and good luck.”
It’s your last college home game. Is there anything you love to do more than play basketball?
“Oh, man,” Page said before pausing to think. “Spend time with my family. That’s a big reason why I came here. It’s close to home. I’m a family guy. I’m a little bit of a momma’s boy, so whenever I’m not playing basketball I like to spend time with them and be around my brother (Brady is a high school coach) and go watch his basketball games now.”
Bryant Reeves was “Big Country.” Michael Cobbins said OSU players sometimes call you “Little Country.” You OK with that?
“That’s good company. If I want to be called after somebody that has played here, Big Country is not a bad one to be talked about with.”
Kansas is coming to town for the final home game of your career. Would you prefer it any other way?
“No. It’s the best situation you could be set up in, playing the best team in your league. They beat us pretty good at their place. We weren’t too happy with it. We came out and played good in the second half and proved that we could play with them. They’ll come in here and we get to play them again on Senior Night on Big Monday. We should have a good crowd. It’s set up good, so we’re all looking forward to the opportunity and we’re all excited about it.”
You’re going to cry during the pre-game Senior Night ceremony, aren’t you?
“No. I hope not. I’m telling myself not to, but tomorrow will be an emotional night walking out there with my parents and coach (Travis) Ford. I hope not, but it will be an emotional night.”
--Jimmie Tramel.
Written by
Jimmie Tramel
Sports Writer
