University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Post-Game Quotesheet
1/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 14, 2008
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POST-GAME QUOTESHEET
Pitt vs.
Quoting Pitt's Head Coach Jamie Dixon:
Opening Statement:
"This is one of those games where we just had to keep fighting until we started executing. Our guards really stepped up in the second half, which doesn't surprise us, but does make us very proud. It's all about getting better and improving and that's what we're going to continue to try to do from here on out."
On Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin combining for one turnover:
"I think it was a combination of things that led to that.
On the play of DeJuan Blair:
"DeJuan battled hard all night. We really stressed guarding the three point line, and teams are going to get some inside points when you do that. DeJuan really held his own though, particularly in pulling in rebounds. He was also very good at using his strengths, his feet and his quickness to his advantage defensively."
On Pitt's offense:
"We've been taking great shots recently. We recruit guys that are naturally good passers, that look to set other guys up and you saw that with all four of our freshmen tonight. As a team, we know what good shots and bad shots are and that's why are offense can be so effective."
On Pitt's offensive rebounding:
"That comes back again to taking good shots. When everyone knows the shot is going up, and the defense is looking to recover, that puts you in a good position to make a play. That was the formula tonight that led to us getting such a high number of offensive boards."
Quoting Pitt's Ronald Ramon:
On what this win means for Pitt:
"This is definitely a big win for us. Give
On how Pitt's offense got going:
"It took all of us making plays. The big guys set ball screens, and we were able to knock down open shots from the perimeter when we got a chance. It was really a team effort."
On looking for his shot more:
"I've been looking for it a little bit more recently, but I still have to make sure I stay in the flow of the offense. We've been working the ball around really well recently, and when we get guys in a good position, we make the extra pass. When you're in that position, you're usually going to score."
On the crowd's support:
"I think someone took the keys, because all of the animals were out in the zoo tonight. We have great fans, and they stepped it up big time tonight. They really helped us elevate our game."
Quoting Pitt's Keith Benjamin:
On what the win means for Pitt:
"This is a great win for us. We know that of we keep playing hard, and doing the things we're capable of, that good things are going to come. In this locker room, nobody wants to lose, especially us seniors. We lead, they follow, and it all comes together."
On Pitt's second half offense:
"We were much more patient than in the first half. We didn't rush things, we just tried to get to the right spots on the floor and then make the extra pass to get guys open. When you have guys inside like DeJuan Blair and Sam Young, it's going to open up a lot on the outside."
On Pitt's defense against DeJuan Summers:
"It was very big to get a stand on Summers. Sam Young did a great job being physical with him early, and then Gilbert Brown provided a great different kind of look. He had trouble finding his shot, and by the time he did start shooting he was really out of rhythm. He's a big part of what they do, so it was great for us to defend him so well."
Quoting Pitt's DeJuan Blair:
On defending Roy Hibbert:
"It was a good game against a very good player. I think the body of work speaks for itself. I was fortunate to be able to overplay him a couple times and get some steals. That really made them hesitate to try to throw the ball over me when he had good position."
On the physical play:
"Physical play is why I came to the Big East. If you don't like that style of play then you need to find a new conference. I just tried to be strong the whole time, and not back off an inch when I realized how it was going to be called."
On Pitt's feeling going into the second half:
"Everyone in the locker room was fired up. We knew we hadn't played our best half and we were still ahead. The coaches wanted us to stay with what we were doing and make sure we finished it off. We want to protect our house."
Quoting Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson:
On crowd as a factor:
"The crowd wasn't a factor, they just played well. It wasn't the crowd but the five guys that were on the floor."
On opening minutes of the second half:
"I think both teams came out playing kind of sloppy. Unfortunately we were not able to build on John's shot before the half. I don't think it was a critical junction, it was one of the many key points of a long game."
On shooting:
"Pitt is a good defensive team; you have to give their defense credit. They do a good job of protecting the three-point line and they have for years. You have to give their guys credit for our losses."
On second game in a row missing open looks:
"You have to give the Pitt defense credit for correcting the three-point line. Tonight our guys were missing shots that they don't normally miss. That's just conference play. When Jon (Wallace) misses five three-pointers, they had a lot to do with it. Those are some of the reasons why they won and we didn't."
On
"He played well on the offensive end and played aggressive. I've said it before that we need to play better tomorrow than today.
On Pitt's play inside:
"It was good but I wasn't surprised. They are one of the most balanced teams in the league, with a talent level that's exceptionally high. The guys that are playing more minutes are becoming more comfortable. They have good post players that establish themselves every game."
Quoting
On missing 3-pointers:
"They [Pitt] played good defense. We got a lot of good looks, but they just weren't falling."
Quoting
On his match-up against DeJuan Blair:
"It was a tough game all-around. I wasn't playing my best, but noone really was. We need to grow and learn from this game. I don't think his [Blair's] body type really mattered. I did not do a good job. I need to do a better job of reading how they are playing me. I need to take better shots and be more aggressive."
Quoting
On his potentially momentum changing slam dunk:
"I never doubted that we [
