Q & A With Kevin Ault

After Southwest Missouri State's 78-66 Saturday loss to Indiana, SMS guard/former Warsaw player Kevin Ault talked about life in Missouri. Ault, decked out in maroon SMS team warmups, took time to answer a few questions as soon as he walked out of the locker room, even though he had to be exhausted after a long night of being hounded by Indiana guard Michael Lewis and even though many teammates were munching on subs.

Q: What was the transition like from playing high school basketball at Warsaw to playing for Division I Southwest Missouri State?

A: "It wasn't much of a transition. We were expected to win at Warsaw. We were expected to win here. I came in with the attitude that we were going to win. It's been a smooth transition."

Q: There have been rumors your mom, Jan, and dad, Doug, have put more than 5,000 miles -Êwhich is more than driving to California and back - on the car in a month to see your games. How often do they see you play in person, and is it true?

A: "They've seen quite a bit. They're down here tonight. They've been to a lot of my home games in Springfield, Mo. They've seen a lot of games. I wouldn't doubt (the mileage). They drive that car to death. I'm just happy they come and support me like they do."

Q: You date Sherry Haines, who starred for Warsaw's girls basketball team the same time you starred there. Last year she went to Ball State, while you were at SMS. Now she's at SMS. How important has that been?

A: "First of all, it helps my phone bill. I don't have to worry about that as much. She's a big part of my life, and it helps to have her down there with me."

Q: How badly did head coach Steve Alford want to beat Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers?

A: "It was pretty much the same before any game, but I could tell there was a little tension in him in the pregame. We came in with the same attitude as every other game."

Q: SMS is 4-6 (4-7 after Sunday) after the loss to IU. What kind of future does this team have?

A: "We're a young team that's still learning the game. Tonight was a good measuring stick to see where we're at in the big leagues. I think we held our own pretty well."

Q: What are you studying, and have you begun to give any thought to what you want to do after school?

A: "I'm studying business. I haven't really thought about (after school) much. Right now I'm in general business, kind of making my way through the business school. I'll see what happens."

Q: Talk about the difference from your freshman year on the team to this year.

A "Last year I had to play off a lot of guys. This year, I'm in the mold. I'm getting shots up, and it's been a nice year for me. Coach stresses me to put up shots and be aggressive offensively."

Q: You were 24 of 24 from the free-throw line to lead the nation, but you missed your first attempt against IU at Market Square Arena in your home state. What happened?

A: "I don't know what happened. I'm a little disappointed with that. I had my streak going. It's broken. I'll have to get a new one."

Q: If you could, would you do the same thing all over again?

A: "I'm enjoying myself. We're in a tough league with good competition every night. I wouldn't go anywhere else."