University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes
1/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota Head Coach Tubby Smith
Opening Statement:
"It was a very hard fought game and a very good win for us. Our guys showed a lot of toughness down the stretch and made shots. There are some areas that we need to improve in terms of time management, scoring and game situations. We had comfortable lead and then turned the ball over. We had a couple of times where we should have been a little bit stronger and physical with the ball."
On frustrating Ohio State Forward Evan Turner:
"We play that way. We could tell that he is not all the way back to himself. We were able to get to the point where we could take the ball out of his hands and the best way to do it is with a trap. We can get something else out of it like a turnover or a deflection which is even better."
On Minnesota Guard Blake Hoffarber:
"He found some openings and guys were setting good screen for him and he was moving well without the ball."
Minnesota Junior Guard Al Nolen
On trapping Evan Turner:
"Evan Turner moved to the point guard, and he's 6'7"- a taller guy- so we really tried to tie him up, me and Damian [Johnson]. It was getting him a little frustrated, and that worked for us, and they started turning the ball over."
On what Coach Smith said at half-time:
"He told us don't talk about it, just go out there and play our game and be aggressive."
Minnesota Junior Guard Blake Hoffarber
On his performance:
"I think that on any given night we have such a deep team that anyone could step up, and tonight I was getting open, and guys like Al [Nolen] and Damian were setting good screens. I was finishing the play and doing what I was supposed to do, so if it doesn't happen next game [for me] hopefully someone else will step up."
On how teams are guarding him this season:
"A lot of teams right now are staying on me and trying not to give me an open three-point shot, and that's why I'm trying to move without the ball and get some easy ones in transition. Al's finding me in transition pretty well."
Ohio State Head Coach Thad Matta
On Blake Hoffarber:
"We made some huge mistakes defensively, and he's that good that he can make you pay."
