University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Harvard
12/30/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Minnesota Head Coach Richard Pitino
Opening Statement…
"Good win from a defensive standpoint and a toughness and rebounding standpoint. It was really good and to do it without Nate you can tell offensively it was a bit of a struggle for us. I thought we were getting good looks but we were just missing shots. I thought overall really good win. Great crowd and to come out in the cold they really showed up. Grateful for the win. We just have to get Nate healthy, take tomorrow off, and get back to work on Monday."
Feeling of post-break struggles…
"No, I don't think so. I'll be honest I think we were playing hard we just weren't hitting shots, but we were defending because Harvard only shot 29 percent in the first half. I thought they played very hard. They have been very good since they got back from Arkansas."
On what Pitino said to Washington at halftime…
"It seems like every time he touches the he shoots it. I said, 'Listen just keep getting to the basket.' We watched the last 75 of Kyrie Irving's layups in the last seven games. Kyrie is his idol and does some wacky layups at times but for the most part they are two-foot off the glass finishes. I thought he was trying to do better there and he's taking some long two point shots. From a defensive, rebounding standpoint he was terrific. I thought defensively he was really good. I like seeing the growth in all the other departments."
On McBrayer…
"He's important to us. I think if he had played versus Miami I think probably we would have been a little bit better defensively. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game and this rest is necessary for him and he's a good player. If you had asked me at the beginning of the year who I thought was going to make that next jump it would have been Dupree. Hopefully we can monitor and get him back."
Junior Guard Dupree McBrayer
On coming back and having 15 points…
"It was alright. Definitely credit my teammates for running the offense and giving me the chance to shoot it every time. They wanted me to be aggressive and I felt good."
On Isaiah Washington's shooting in the first half versus the second half…
"We talked to him about being under control. I think he is starting to figure it out. He is gaining more confidence. As a New York City guard, all you know is showtime. In this program, you have to do things a little differently while still trying to add a little showtime to it."
Junior Forward Jordan Murphy
On what he saw offensively today…
"Harvard did a good job of focusing on me. I would have to find my teammates when they are open and pass the ball out the best I could. I had to pass on some of my jump shots but we talked about that at practice.
On Dupree McBrayer's game with Nate Mason out…
"He did a great job of stepping up. He is obviously a very talented player. He can shoot the ball, he can drive it, he is a dual threat every time he catches the ball. He brings a lot to our team."
On being outrebounded by Isaiah Washington…
"He has been telling me in practice that he rebounds now. I did not believe it until today so I am definitely going to hear about it on Monday at practice. That is good for him. We need someone else to rebound at that level so if it is him then more power to him."
