University of Minnesota Athletics
Post-Game Quotes
11/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Post-Game Quotes
Minnesota 109, Northeastern (Okla.) State 59 (exhibition)
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 -- Minneapolis, Minn. (Williams Arena)
Coach Tubby Smith
On where the team stands..
"The schedule is always competitive and we believe that we put together a schedule that will test us and measure this team and we have a good blend of veteran players to go along with our new incoming players. We have to improve in a lot of areas. We have some key positions back, including Al nolan and Trevor Mbakwe and it will enhance our chances."
"I thought our guys were focused and ready. We did some good things in sharing the basketball and establishing the tempo early in the game. We made shots, we pushed it up the court, we got in transition and really defending well. Those are things you use to win basketball games."
Northeastern State coach Larry Gipson
On what it was like coming into Minnesota and playing against a Big Ten team in the barn...
"First of all I want to thank Tubby Smith and his staff. Joe Esposito was instrumental in getting this game put together and I want to thank them for this opportunity. It's a big thing for our kids and our school to have had this opportunity. I grew up in Ohio. So I have a real understanding and feeling for the Big Ten and this arena and the tradition at this school and the other Big Ten schools. I think Coach Smith has a great team. We have played Oklahoma in the past. We played some other schools - Tulsa, Oral Roberts. But this is by far the best basketball team we have played in this setting."
On the lopsided score, and what they can take home from this loss...
"I think if you eliminated the first seven or eight minutes of the game, I thought we were pretty competitive. It was 17-0 right out the box and then 25-4. I think from that point we started executing. We were a little bit starry eyed. We are not used to playing in front of this many people in this big of an arena. You know Minnesota deserves a lot of credit there. They are big, strong and physical and they are very, very skilled. I think they are going to be an excellent basketball team.
On what was said to the players and moving forward...
"I think the point I made for our team is that this is an experience that has no bearing on the remainder of this season unless we don't learn from it. This final score doesn't reflect anything. I think there some good things in this outing than I have seen in practice and scrimmage situations. So I think that we have to build on this. We know what we have to do. The University of Minnesota demonstrated how hard you have to play. Our new guys discovered the importance of execution and playing hard and playing with a focus, and I think all those things are going to benefit us."
Junior Forward Trevor Mbakwe
On playing in his first game as a Gopher...
"I waited a long time for this. I finally got a chance to play, and I've just got to keep building on this. I was disappointed with how many rebounds I had, but it was game one and it's going to be a long season. I'm excited to be back."
Senior Guard Blake Hoffarber
On whether his shot feels better this year than last year...
"I feel the same. I knew I was capable of doing it. Guys were hitting me in transition, throwing some good passes to me. Anytime your team is really looking for you like that and expecting you to shoot it, it definitely gives you confidence."
