Junior Patrick Morrissey played Friday when the Wolfpack defeated Hastings 55-54 to win its first Suburban East Conference game since Feb. 20, 2009.

Where does Friday's conference win rank for you in terms of your favorite memories? Probably number one, just because we've been working so hard and long for this. ... Just being a part of that. The thing is, we all deserved it, we put the work in. Everyone just doubts us and it was just nice to get that after so long because we've worked so hard and continuously aimed for that goal and we reached it.

Who's your favorite player? Kevin Durant, hands down. When he first came into the league, he wasn't on the greatest of teams. ... The things that he's done this early in his career are amazing: the youngest scoring champion three years in a row; the way he's been able to lead that team, too.

Do you have any superstitions? The game we just won, I tore my lace in my basketball shoe so I had to borrow my friend's. So I'm going to wear his shoes again, see if that makes any difference.

Six-foot-1 is a little undersized for a post player in your conference. What advantages and disadvantages does that present? Well, obviously I'm short so that's a major disadvantage. It also can be an advantage because people underestimate me. I'm not going to jump over anyone or sky-hook it over someone. I'm just going to try to outsmart you and get you to foul me. And use a smart, intelligent fake. If you ask any of my teammates, I pump fake at least three times before I shoot it.

DEREK WETMORE