University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Post-Game Quotesheet
11/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2006
POST-GAME QUOTESHEET
Pitt vs.
Quoting Pitt Head Coach Jamie Dixon:
Opening Statement:
"This is a great win. Anytime you play five games in eight days, you have to battle through, which we were able to do today.
On how Pitt made second-half adjustments:
"We went smaller, and try to guard the perimeter a little more. We wanted to be more aggressive on their drives, and put some good ball pressure to stop them off the dribble. I thought we executed very well in the second half. Those first four baskets Aaron [Gray] got were all off of different set plays where everyone did what they were supposed to do."
On the play of Aaron Gray:
"He was very patient today. I think some of the passes he made in the first-half really set-up his ability to score later on. Even though his assist total was low, his passes put guys like Levon [Kendall] and our guards in good scoring position. When they adjusted and took that away, he made them pay by becoming a scorer."
On his rotation:
"Guys like Tyrell [Biggs] and Levon [Kendall] are used to playing a lot of spots. It's something we work on a lot in practice. All of our guys know that for us to be an effective team, they have to be versatile. I think everyone takes to that well."
On the schedule for the up-coming week:
"Our day-off will be tomorrow, but I'm really looking forward for the chance to have some practices. It will give some of our younger guys like Gilbert [Brown] a chance to get out and play hard. We'll also get the chance to add some new things, which we always do when we have a few off-days like this."
Quoting Pitt's Levon Kendall:
On
"It was a combination of us being tired, and them coming out really ready to play. They were prepared for us, and did some things offensively that we weren't quite ready for. Give them credit too, because they rebounded very well and beat us to loose balls, which are two things we pride ourselves on. But I think it says a lot about us that we were able to re-group and counter that."
On Pitt's depth:
"Yeah, I think we're definitely able to wear teams out. A lot of teams have a very good starting five, but after that you might see a drop-off. We believe that with our depth, we can play hard all the time and force them to take tough shots. It's not easy to hit shots with a hand in your face for 40 minutes."
On the play of Aaron Gray:
"He brings it hard every game; it's why he's one of the best in the country. He did such a good job of getting me going tonight when they double-teamed him. Other teams can only take a certain amount of things away, and we have so many weapons we can usually find a way to beat them."
Quoting Pitt's Aaron Gray:
On being named MVP of the First Commonwealth Colonial Athletic Association Basketball Classic:
"It's nice obviously, but like I always say, I'm more concerned with our team goals and trying to get us where we need to go. I'm happy we were able to take some steps forward today and get more prepared for Big East play."
On his play at the start of the second-half:
"At halftime, coach made the decision that we were going to try to get it in down low. I know he has confidence in me to make good decisions with the ball, to know when to pass and when to be aggressive and try to score. I saw our offense was struggling a little in the first-half and I wanted to give the guys a lift."
Quoting Oakland Head Coach Greg Kampe:
Opening statement:
"I don't know what there is to say. We're disappointed. We had a chance to beat the No. 3 team in the country and we're disappointed. We defended [Aaron] Gray as good as we could with players our size, but we're disappointed in ourselves. We knew they would come out after halftime and it would be a different game. We knew at some point we'd go into a cold spell being here [the
On Pitt utilizing Aaron Gray:
"We knew they'd use Aaron Gray the way that they did. Then, they came out in the second half and we were in a fog. We went into the locker room and sat there and said 'We're beating the No. 3 team in the country.' It was a different game after halftime. We turned the ball over 17 times tonight and 22 times against UMass yesterday. We're trying to get on defense, but those [turnovers] hurt. Great teams take advantage of situations and you have to give Pitt credit. There were able to play three games in three days and come out with a win tonight. We weren't. They were able to pull through and we didn't."
