University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota-Michigan Notes/Quotes (2/24/07)
2/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Michigan 62, Minnesota 51
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2007 - Williams Arena
Attendance: 11,721
Game Notes
• Michigan now leads the all-time series with Minnesota 72-56.
• Jim Molinari is now 7-15, and 3-12 in Big Ten play as the head coach of the Gophers.
• Molinari is 223-184 all-time as a head coach.
• Jamal Abu-Shamala scored the Gophers’ first 13 points.
• Abu-Shamala reached double-figures in the first half with 18 points. It marked the eighth time this season and the 13th time in his career he has scored in double figures.
• Dan Coleman reached double-figures in the first half with 10 points. It marked the 25th time this season and the 47th time in his career he has scored in double figures.
• Abu-Shamala and Coleman combined to score 28 of the Gophers 30 first-half points.
• Abu-Shamala had career highs in points (27), field goals (8) and field goals attempted (13).
• Abu-Shamala recorded his first career 20-point game.
• Abu-Shamala made all four of his first half three-point attempts and was perfect on his first five three-pointers for the game. His five three-pointers and eight three-point attempts tied a career high.
• Lawrence McKenzie had his streak of consecutive games with a made three pointer snapped at 36 straight games.
• Michigan’s 10 blocks were the most against Minnesota this season, surpassing the previous high of eight.
Post-Game Quotes
Minnesota Head Coach Jim Molinari
On the play of Jamal Abu-Shamala:
“Jamal played with great energy. Energy is the first step to our success. On our team it’s wearing. Our starting group had no energy and then we went to that second group and they gave us some energy. But Jamal kept that energy up the whole game.”
On Lawrence McKenzie:
“I think Michigan set its defense to stop him. Then he got some open looks early and couldn’t get those down. I think he probably struggled a little confidence-wise. He’s playing the point more now. I think it was a combination of things. Obviously that was hard for us to overcome, but I can’t take anything away from Lawrence. He’s played at such a high level in a tough situation. I think he’s had an incredible year and today he struggled. Let’s give Michigan some credit.”
On the difference in the second half:
“We tried to throw the ball inside, we tried to get to the foul line and we couldn’t finish. They obviously were much more aware of Jamal. I think that was the difference.”
Michigan Head Coach Tommy Amaker
Opening statement:
“Obviously we’re very pleased to get our second road conference win. We talked about being ready, sustaining great effort and putting ourselves in a position to finish it. That’s what we focused on coming into today’s game. We knew it was going to be difficult. We certainly knew from our match-up with the Gophers the first time around that they could score against us, so we were concerned. Our defense was tremendous to start the game today.
“(Lawrence) McKenzie had one of those games like Dion (Harris) had in Champaign where he couldn’t buy one. That’s difficult for a team, as it was for us, when your best guard struggles from the field in scoring. I give a lot of credit to Jerret Smith. He probably had his best game of the season at the point guard spot. It was a great overall performance and it started with our defense.”
On the shooting of Jamal Abu-Shamala:
“We’ve always known he was a good shooter. He certainly was the key for their team in the first half and throughout. He kind of kept them alive. He had a few too many open looks for my liking but he’s a good shooter, and not only is he a good shooter, he’s a good player. He shows that he can put the ball on the floor and shot-fake. He has good offensive skills and he put that on display today.”
Minnesota forward Dan Coleman
On the team’s adversity this season:
“It’s frustrating. I don’t think anybody on the team has dealt with this much adversity in a single season. It’s a growing experience and we have some young guys who are moving in the right direction, but we’re just not going fast enough. “
On the play of Jamal Abu-Shamala:
“We would have liked to come out with a win, but it was fun to see Jamal have a career night. He shot the ball extremely well and gave us a big spark.”
Minnesota guard Jamal Abu-Shamala
On the uncertainty of his scholarship next year:
“Regardless, I’ll be back next year. This is where I’ve always wanted to play, and this is where I’m going to play.”
On his performance:
“I don’t care how well I play. I just want to win. For it to end like this, especially in our last home game, is really frustrating.”
