University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Post-Game Quotesheet
1/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2007
POST-GAME QUOTESHEET
Pitt vs.
Quoting Pitt's Head Coach Jamie Dixon:
Opening Statement:
"First of all, congratulations to
On how the game's momentum shifted:
"I think we regained an edge when we went a little bit smaller at the end of regulation. Even in the first part of overtime with that three point lead, I liked our chances. But give Dan Fitzgerald credit, he stuck a big three for them to tie the score and get them back in it. I'm just incredibly proud of how hard we battled the whole time."
On Pitt's last offensive possession:
"We had six seconds on the shot clock and the ball was being in-bounded from a tough spot on the floor. The play was for Antonio Graves to drive the baseline, but they had that defended pretty well and we didn't react. We have to play better the whole time so it doesn't get to that point, so I have a hard time singling that play out specifically."
On the play of Aaron Gray:
"Aaron played 35 minutes, which is about what you'd expect. You would have to ask him if his injured wrist was a factor in his play, but he told me he was ready to go.
On the play of Ronald Ramon:
"He really came up big. When we were down nine at the end there we ran some plays for him, trying to get him an open look and he converted. He played today the way he's been playing all year, with great heart and great character. I'm very happy for him."
Quoting Pitt's Ronald Ramon:
On
"They're a great team with great, quick guards. It's tough to lose a game like this at home, but you get back to work and just start worrying about the next one."
On defending
"We knew they were fast and would try to penetrate. We wanted to make sure we were in the gaps and calling out for help if we needed it. Our defense got better at the end, but we need to work to make sure that we play our best for the whole game."
On being happy with his play:
"I'm not happy at all right now. I could play for 15 minutes in a game and if we win I feel better than I do right now. It's all about the team success with us, and I think everyone in our locker room would agree with that."
On how
"They did a good job denying him the ball in the post. When we did get it to him, they double-teamed him, which we've seen before. This time however, our outside shooters kind of struggled to get open for passes on the perimeter. If that doesn't happen, then Aaron can't use his passing skills and the offense slows down."
Quoting Pitt's Antonio Graves:
On whether Pitt takes anything out of this loss:
"I don't think you necessarily take anything away from any loss. We know there are certain areas we need to work on and get better in, and we'll address those in practice. It's a long season and we just have to stay ready. We're looking forward to playing
On free-throw shooting:
"Free-throws were huge today, really the difference in the game. We need to pull together as a team and knock them down, especially in tight situations. There will be plenty of other games this year that will come down to that, and I have confidence that we'll deliver in that situation."
On
"I think some of that was that we came out a little bit anxious. They knew some of our plays, and where the pass was headed, but that kind of stuff happens. We have ways of dealing with that and still being effective, we just have to focus more."
Quoting
"This
On what were you thinking with Dominic James being on the line in overtime:
"Honestly, I was thinking, `Where can I order a pizza?' Really. That's what I was thinking. There was no reason for him or any of us to be nervous. He's made so many big plays during his career before. He knew we were behind him. That's the great thing about this team, we all are always behind each other. You know you have the confidence of your teammates and there's no need to be nervous. Those were tough shots to make into that student section that they have, but he was able to get it done."
On the momentum swing Pitt had at the end of regulation:
"We just had to keep playing the way that we had been. We couldn't let our offense get caught up in the game. We just found a way to get it done and get a win."
On being able to contain Aaron Gray:
"You can't feed this
On what the play at then end of regulation was designed to do:
"We wanted to get a screen out of the corner, but that just didn't work out. Dominic [James] didn't have a jumper, so he went for the play that would allow him to try and score. The way it worked out wasn't our first option. It was Wesley's [Matthews] decision and he swung it to Dominic [James]. He [Dominic James] was able to draw the contact and make the free throws. I have all the confidence in the world in those referees, though. Those are Final Four refs you have out there. I don't question the way they called at all."
On Pitt's high number of turnovers:
"You just have to stay after a team like
On how this win boosts the team's confidence:
"It's not so much the win that helps, but it's how we won. We never let ourselves get down. Even at the end of regulation we didn't get down. Our road wins at
On playing in the
"This is a great crowd. There are a lot of great crowds in this league, but not too many like the one here. The way that this organization has the support of its students and its other fans is just amazing. That's what we're building toward and sometimes, we have it."
Quoting
On containing Aaron Gray:
"We wanted to take the ball out of his hands and take away the easy passes from him. We focused on that especially in the second half and were able to take that away from him. That threw their offense for a loop and we were able to capitalize on that."
Quoting
On what this win means:
"This is a big win. Pitt knows how to win in all different fashions. This is a really big win for us and gives us a lot of great confidence. People have been saying a lot of things about our team. We came out at the start of the season and lost back-to-back games and had a lot of people doubting us. We know the recipe now. We've just got to stick to it and continue to work and things are going to start to work out for us."
On foul shots at the end of the overtime period:
"I was just thinking, `knock them down.' I've never had to make shots that big before with that much pressure on me. But I knew I just had to stay focused. We stayed poised through the whole game because we know we have the confidence of our other teammates behind us. This was a great win. To have three-straight [wins] in the [Big East] conference is a great feeling."
On the confidence the team has in each other:
"You go to the line knowing that you have to knock them down. Your teammates are behind you and that's a great feeling. They [Pitt] did a great job of guarding our primary plays, especially that play we'd designed at the end of the overtime. They were all over it, but we got a shot off and were able to draw the foul and get the call. It's a good feeling to draw a foul on one of their big guys [Levon Kendall] like that. I was just playing the way the refs were calling."
On consistency of foul shots in overtime:
"Going 10 for 10 from the line in overtime is a big deal. The stats show that if we hadn't knocked those down, it would've been a completely different outcome. But we believe in each other and know that every time we step to that line. You know when you're up there that you have the whole team behind you and you're shooting for everyone."
Quoting
On forcing a high number of turnovers for Pitt:
"They play a great game with great players and we knew that we had to take their offense away. We just stayed in their faces and made them play hard."
