University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota-Michigan Postgame Quotes
2/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Michigan head coach John Beilein
On the game:
"Our team has been waiting to play that way for awhile. We haven't shot the ball well, we haven't executed like we did tonight. Against Northwestern we were down early in the second half and against Wisconsin we were also down early in the second half. Today, we got going early and built up a lead. In the second half we only missed a couple shots and played well."
On second half play:
"I think we weren't rushing some things. We've really worked towards the end of practice that we've had recently in the last couple weeks on just seeing the floor better, not running plays, just being a player. They were really looking for some different options when they came on the court, sometimes we don't see anything and we go around like robots. That's been a major emphasis at practice the last couple weeks on making entry passes."
Minnesota Player Quotes
Junior Guard Blake Hoffarber
On the loss:
"Obviously it hurts a lot, and I felt like we weren't on top of our game today. I felt like we had a good week of practice, and coach was getting us ready, but we just didn't execute."
On the shift of momentum in the second half:
"I felt like every time we made a run they sucked the wind out of us. They would always come back and hit a shot. We've just got to work on making the stops defensively and keep pushing the ball."
On the difference between last year and this year for the Gophers:
"I think we've just got to keep working hard. We've had a lot of distractions this year, and that's had a little effect on us. When someone like Al [Nolen] isn't playing after he's been playing the whole year for us, it's tough. I think we've just got to get our focus back."
Junior Forward Paul Carter
On whether the team lacked energy at the beginning of the game:
"I felt like we came out a little slow and towards the end we got a little fired up, but we just didn't execute defensively at the end of the game."
On whether the team has changed over the last year:
"Even though we've had a lot of ups and downs our team chemistry is still great. Losing Al definitely hurt. He's a great point guard, but Devoe [Joseph] has been stepping up. We still have little aches and pains, but we're definitely working through it. We're going back to the drawing board after this game."
On Michigan's DeShawn Sims' success:
"You've got to give him credit. They ran great plays for him. DeShawn Sims has always been hot in this building. He plays hard. He's a big strong kid."
Minnesota Coach Tubby Smith
Opening Statement
"We are disappointed. We did not play like I thought we would. We had good practices this week. I thought our guys were focused. We started off and could not get a shot to drop. We got to a point where we took a lead in the first half, but gave it back right before half time. We came out in the second half, and I do not know we just seemed to be a little winded there. I thought they established a tone out there, and that is not playing like we should. Michigan did a good job of switching into half court defense and doing a lot of stuff like taking care of the ball. Controlling them was one of the primary concerns. But I have to give it to them. Guys like DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris are very talented players. You can see why they are Big Ten."
On Manny Harris:
"It was physical. When you have guys that physical you have to position yourself, and Manny Harris moves like that. He's got great hands."
On the matchup between Ralph Sampson and DeShawn Sims:
"They took advantage of Ralph [Sampson] and shot over him. Sims was able to do what he wanted to do physically. Obviously, it shakes our confidence that we couldn't stop him. When he catches the ball in a position where we really can't trap him, he's a really smart player. I knew coming in that it would be a real challenge."
