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by Ryan Brown, Athletics Communications Student Assistant
One of four seniors on the team this season, Sei Paye has emerged as one of UTSA’s most reliable and consistent performers in his final campaign. The Houston native has played point and shooting guard during his four-year career and is known as one of the team’s top perimeter defenders. Paye recently took time out of his busy schedule to speak with goUTSA.com.
How is the season going so far?
“The season is going pretty well. We feel like there are a few games we could have won that we didn’t, so we're fixing the mistakes that cost us those games to help us get prepared for conference.”
Serving as one of the veterans on the team this season, how has your role changed over your career?
“This year my role has changed, because now I serve as the more serious leader. I try to bring a serious demeanor into the locker room and to the players, so that we can go out and get the job done. We know that repeating as champions is very hard. No one has done that in our conference for a while, but we're trying to do that.”
How was your experience when UTSA won the Southland Conference Tournament last year?
“The experience was ridiculous. This year, we all want to feel that same way again, especially with Michael Hale, Kannon Burrage and A.J. Price on the team now. With these new players, we're trying to get back there and make it an even better experience.”
What was it like playing in the NCAA Tournament last year?
“It was really a good feeling when we beat Alabama State in the First Four. To say that we were the team that won the first NCAA Tournament game in our school’s history is an amazing feeling. Even though we had to play Ohio State in the next round and lost, we still had the mindset that we wanted to win. If we work hard and have a better record and are fortunate enough to make the NCAA Tournament again this, then hopefully we can get a better seed to where we won't have to play a number one or number two seed early on. You never know what can happen in the NCAA Tournament. VCU did it. Why not us?”
How have the new players helped the team this year?
“They have molded in with everybody else really well. Michael Hale is a great point guard. He can dish the ball, as well as score. Kannon Burrage is a really good scorer. He scores when we need him to. A.J. Price is probably going to redshirt this year, but he will be a very good player before he’s done here. They all fit in their roles perfectly. We all have to work out some kinks and hopefully by conference play we can just start rolling.”
What do you feel is special about this team when compared to last year?
“What is special about this team is that everybody is hungry, including Kannon and Michael. They saw us get our rings. They want one too. We all know that we have one goal in mind. We all know that at the end of the day we're here for a reason. That reason is for another ring.”
What was the exhibition tour of Australia like and how did it help the team?
“Australia was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was great for the coaches and players. It was a different environment down there. It made us appreciate home, because it was so different. The games were fun. We were a bit nervous at first, but we settled down and worked on getting better. Getting to practice and play in the summer helped us be better prepared for this season.”
What are your strengths on the court?
“I believe my strength is bringing energy and just talking out there with the guys. I also feel my strength is knocking down shots and playing defense. I know my role. If I'm playing well and bringing energy, then everyone else is going to pick that energy up and do the same thing. It’s contagious”
The team drew some attention at the beginning of the season with a close game against Oklahoma State. What was that game like and what did you learn from it?
“We learned a lot from that game. We definitely believe we let that game slip away from us. It was a very good learning experience for us, especially for the new guys. We learned that we can play with anybody, but we have to go out each game and play until the final whistle like we did for the first 36 or 38 minutes. We can’t give it up in last couple of minutes like we did in that game.”
What are some of the goals you set for yourself individually and how do you plan to bring those to the team?
“My goal is to make sure I play hard every minute and every second I'm out there. I'm a veteran, so this is my last go-around. I know while I'm on the court, my goals are to knock down shots, defend, bring energy and play hard every single second no matter what. I want to make sure the team does the same thing and make sure we are all on the same page.”
What should people know about you and the team?
“They should know that I'm a really different person. People probably see me from the outside looking in and perceive me in a different way, but if you just get to know me I'm a smooth person. I like to win and I'm competitive. As far as our team, it's the same thing. We want to win and we're also very competitive. Sure, we like to have fun, but we know when to get serious and that’s when we step on the court.”