University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes
12/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 13, 2011
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Postgame Quotes
Minnesota (11-1) 76, Central Michigan (4-5) 56
Williams Arena - Minneapolis, Minn.
December 13, 2011
Minnesota Head Coach Tubby Smith
General thoughts:
"I thought we very unselfish with 24 assists on 27 baskets. ...I thought central Michigan came in with a very good game plan. ...We got in a tempo that was good for us, `cause we got some baskets in transition. We did a few things that were ill-advised but otherwise, good balance."
On Joe Coleman:
"Joe is the same. He is going to give you the same every day. From day one, he is the hardest worker I have ever coached."
Minnesota Players
Austin Hollins
Thoughts on the game:
"I think we played pretty solid. We had more turnovers than we wanted, but I think we were real patient on offense. We took care of the ball most times down the stretch. We were shooting well today, so I think we did a good job."
On Julian Welch taking over the leader role of scoring:
"That is what he does. He's a scorer and I think he's taken over the role well. He has stepped up and he's been a good leader. I know he's a transfer but he is still an upperclassman, being a junior, so he took on that leadership role and we have followed behind as a team.
On the importance of the guards, since there have been injuries in the post:
"We felt that we needed to step up a little more. We didn't have our main guys in the post, although we did have Elliott (Eliason) come in and step up, Rodney (Williams) taking over the 4-spot and stepping up. It is a team thing. As a team we knew we had to step up because some guys are out and I think that's what we did."
Maverick Ahanmisi
Thoughts on the game:
"We played to minimize turnovers, and our turnovers are really about being anxious with the ball on fast breaks. Other than that, we took care of the ball."
On the whole bench stepping up:
"Coach has been playing a deep bench so everyone needs to be ready to play, and when we get in we play hard. Sometimes guys are nervous, but we just tell them to play hard."
On the 20-5 run in the first half:
"Coach told us to start boxing out. They were beating us on the boards. We had to box out, get on the glass, and we started crashing, and that's why we got more fast breaks."
Central Michigan Head Coach Ernie Zeigler
General thoughts:
"We ran into a team that is really starting to evolve and overcome the loss of (Trevor) Mbakwe. (Minnesota) really shot the ball well, they were efficient, and we struggled at times to continue to guard when (Minnesota) shared the ball. They had 24 assists."
On three-point shooting:
"We were able to take advantage of opportunities and find some good looks. I thought Austin McBroom did a good job of finding openings to take those shots. At the end of the day, we did not make enough of them."
On the quick start:
"I thought we came out and were able to get some stops at the beginning of the game. As the game started to play itself out we were not able to sustain that start."
On Trey Zeigler's play against strong competition:
"Trey is an elite player himself, so he is accustomed to playing against elite players. It was no different for him then playing against anyone else."
