University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Post-Game Quotesheet
11/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2006
POST-GAME QUOTESHEET
Pitt vs. UMass, November 18, 2006
Quoting Pitt Head Coach Jamie Dixon:
Opening Statement:
"We knew when we scheduled UMass that they were a good team, and I have no doubt they're going to finish first or second in the Atlantic-10. I thought we did a great job passing the ball today, and then knocking down open looks when we had the opportunity. I also really like the way our defense improved as the game progressed, especially when we had so many guys rotating frequently off the bench."
On how the team played with Aaron Gray in foul trouble:
"I've seen our guys do it before, and it's something that we work on in practice, so it's nothing new. Everyone on this team has confidence in themselves and in their teammates around them; we're definitely prepared from a mental standpoint for any personnel situation that happens out on the court."
On the improvement of Tyrell Biggs this season:
"Tyrell's dropped close to 35 lbs. since he got on campus, and right now he's much quicker and jumps much better than he did last year. He's also a very hard-worker who I'm sure is only going to get better throughout his time here. Defense is one area where he's also improved, and you could see that today. One of the key defensive plays was a steal in the second-half that was created on a hedge by Tyrell. That's a play he doesn't make last year."
On the play of UMass:
"They have a lot of very talented kids, many of whom transferred from Big East programs. I was very impressed with Stephane Lasme in particular. He's improved tremendously since high school, and during his time at UMass. We were incredibly fortunate to get them in foul trouble, because they have a very talented, and very physical group."
Quoting Pitt's Tyrell Biggs:
On filling in for an injured Aaron Gray:
"When I saw Aaron was hurt, I knew I was going to have to go in and be physical. He's so important to our team, but I have confidence in myself. They pushed us the whole game, going with an up-and-under moves, trying to get our big guys in foul trouble."
On his shooting:
"It felt good out there. It was really just a matter of me taking my time, not rushing things, just trying to be smart with the ball. My teammates set good screens and made good passes which makes it easy for me."
Quoting Pitt's Levance Fields:
On the play of UMass:
"It was a great test for us; lots of their players are former Big East guys. I think we did a really good job adjusting on Gary Forbes in the second-half. He scored a lot early, and they shot too high of a percentage for the game, but I'm happy with the way we played."
On Pitt's depth:
"It's always a strength of ours, considering that we go eight or nine guys deep. Tyrell [Biggs] really stepped it up for us tonight, playing physical and staying out of foul trouble. When he's hitting shots like that he's very tough to stop."
On playing with Ronald Ramon:
"Together I thought we defended their guards really well. He brings us a big spark off the bench offensively, too. When he's out there, other teams are afraid of his shooting, so they start to hedge on him. That opens up the floor for everyone else."
Quoting UMass Head Coach Travis Ford
Opening statement:
"I have to give Pitt a lot of credit. Our guys really competed and we gave everything we had. Early on, especially in the first 10 minutes we were really hitting shots and competing well, but Pitt is a great team. We are a team that takes pride in rebounding. To be outrebounded tonight bothers us."
"We had three guys in foul trouble and when we pulled them that really was when the game turned. We just didn't have enough scoring weapons without those guys out there. I'm not making excuses, we made some runs, but great teams will finish out, and Pitt is a great team that definitely deserves to be ranked in the top five in the country."
On tonight's game:
"We knew tonight would be a tough challenge. We were depending on new guys which is tough. A game like this against an opponent like this can only make us better. Pitt just really played unbelievably well. I thought we played great defense and Pitt was still able to sink shots against us which is frustrating. When you're playing really great defense and still getting scored on it's discouraging."
On Tiki Mayben and Chris Lowe:
"They are two guards that are very good. It was neat watching these
