Nov. 24, 2007
Brian Gregory:
Opening Statement: "I thought a big key to the game was our early ball pressure and the pace we played with. Fortunately for us, their heart and soul (Jon) Killen got into foul trouble. They're a younger team and they are going to constantly get better because they are pretty good, but they made some inexperienced mistakes and that's where Killen helps them settle down. But give our guys credit because of our ball pressure and pace of play on offense created that kind of tempo. I was pleased with the energy we had for 40 minutes and I said this week I thought we played 64 really good minutes of basketball where we improved and saw some good things."
About the team's production:
"The sum is greater than the individual parts and we need to understand that. For us to be really good, we have to get a lot of basketball from a lot of guys. Roles are starting to get clearer now and more defined. Guys really need to excel in those roles. Every role is really important. Having those guys get the minutes they did today is really important. To be really good you have to be able to bring starters off the bench and we're trying to develop that."
About rebounding:
"We have to rebound in numbers. We don't have a Karl Malone or one of those type of guys that will get 20. Kurt (Huelsman) gets four, but literally he's involved in 15 where because of his block outs, someone else gets one. People don't see that, but the only people who it's important to are the guys in the locker room."
Next week at Miami:
"There's a tradition there of the games. The one thing is we play two games next week against teams that went to the NCAA Tournament last year and both are on the road. It's a huge challenge for us this time of the year. Charlie (Coles) is a tremendous coach. (Miami) knows how to play. It's a team is really comfortable with who they are and they know how to win games."
Chris Wright
"After going into the half with a lead, we didn't want to come out and be lackadaisical. We were able to execute out in the second half and come out with a win."
"(Coach) kept talking about not letting them drive to the middle and I thought I was keeping them from the middle. I just have to go back to the drawing board and keep on working my feet."
"It just comes natural. I've been dunking since I was a kid and that's a part of my game. I like to have fun when I do."
Brian Roberts
"Everybody was contributing and I wanted to maintain my aggressiveness not just shooting, but getting others the ball. In the second half I put my shots aside and I looked to contribute with assists."
"They're tough, hard-nosed and they get after it on defense. We know going into the game how tough it is and we're just focused now on Miami and trying to get a road win."
