University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota-Utah Valley Quotes
11/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota Head Coach Tubby Smith
Opening Statement:
"I knew Utah Valley would come in with a great game plan and exploit some of the things that we might have problems with. We took some quick shots and missed them, and I thought that led to us being very hesitant. We did a good job of defending even though they shot 45 percent for the game. We did a good job of taking care of the basketball and sharing the basketball with 21 assists. Nolen has been outstanding with 21 assists in three games, and he's always been an excellent defender, and he showed it tonight. He and Damian (Johnson) can really cause a lot of havoc. They set the tone for us defensively. Rodney (Williams) stepped up and played well again tonight in the starting lineup."
On whether he feels the team is ready for the upcoming game against Butler:
"I've got a lot of confidence in all these guys. We have good chemistry. I like this group of guys and how hard they work."
On the offense struggling in the first half without Lawrence Westbrook (out with a stomach virus):
"The offense was there; we just weren't throwing it to the right people. Ralph (Sampson) missed a couple of shots and we stopped going inside. You've got to establish the inside game. That's what we didn't do early on. We didn't attack the basket, but whenever we did, we got them into foul trouble and got to the free throw line."
Minnesota Junior Guard Al Nolen
On Minnesota switching up the lineup
"Rodney (Williams) really gave us a heck of boost today in the game. I think Devoe (Joseph) did well too, even though he didn't shoot the ball very well. He was out there getting some steals, pressuring the ball. Most of all, I think those guys stepped up really well and I think we have a deep team so we can do those kinds of things."
On Minnesota's slow start
"It's going to be tough to get away with (starting slow) against better teams. If we don't come out and start out well, then we're going to get buried early. I think coming out we have to be patient and take our shots coming from the inside out. I think today we kind of jacked up a lot of quick shots, a lot of three pointers. I think that contributed to our slow start. If we could start by getting the ball inside and getting patient, we're going to start out better."
Minnesota Senior Forward Damian Johnson
On finding a spark in the lineup without Lawrence Westbrook
"I think Devoe (Joseph) and (Lawrence) Westbrook are pretty similar players and I think Devoe was ready to fill in his position. We started slow in the last three games, so the slow start wasn't really a surprise. I think we just have to start getting it going earlier."
On the slow start for Minnesota
"I think guys were starting to get a flow towards the end of the first half instead of coming out from the start, coming out ready. I think that after our subs, with five (players) in and five out, we just had a chance after that first sub to start realizing we had to get it going and start pushing it."
Utah Valley Head Coach Dick Hunsaker
On his team's gameplan
"Well, I was hoping we could be a little more disciplined with the control of the ball. Be a little less vulnerable to pressure. Be able to deal with their athleticism, but we weren't able to achieve that goal tonight."
On Utah Valley's turnovers
"I guess we forgot our goal to hold onto the basketball. When you pass to the other color shirt, it's an inverted assist. We had too many inverted assists tonight. We need to grow up and get a shot on goal. When you turn the ball over so much it wakes them up. Obviously when a team forces you to 26 turnovers, the kids need to check their back to make sure their shirts are still on. They picked our pockets every which way."
