University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Post-Game Quotesheet
1/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 30, 2008
POST-GAME QUOTESHEET
Pitt vs. Villanova, January 30, 2008,
Quoting Pitt's Head Coach Jamie Dixon
Opening Statement:
"I'm extremely proud of how well we played throughout the night. It was going to take a great performance from all eight guys and that's what we got tonight. Villanova's a very good team that was obviously was very hungry coming off of two consecutive losses. Everyone contributed for us, and that just underscores how pleased I am with where we are as a team right now."
On whether Pitt was a "hungry team" tonight:
"We're always hungry. That's the way we play and that's the way we always have played since I got here. Villanova was hungry tonight too I'm sure, so I don't think that gave us any kind of edge. We didn't do anything differently tonight than we normally do."
On whether Villanova's 9-0 run in the second half reminded him of the
"What happened in the
On Keith Benjamin playing point guard:
"We had tried earlier to get Keith some experience at the point, even with Ronald Ramon in the game. I had all the confidence in the world he'd be able to handle things once Ronald picked up his fourth foul. We need all eight guys to contribute right now, and do some things that maybe they aren't used to. Tonight it was Keith's turn and he delivered."
On reducing turnovers in the second half:
"We aren't a team that turns the ball over, but for some reason we seem to against Villanova. They didn't even really press us all that much tonight. It was more us making bad decisions in transition than them really forcing anything. We just made more of an effort to take care of the ball and it paid off."
Quoting Pitt's Keith Benjamin:
On defending Villanova's guards:
"These guys are great shooters off the dribble. We knew they didn't like to catch and shoot much, so we just try to stay tight on them whenever they had the ball. We were very prepared and it worked for us tonight."
On Pitt's response after Villanova took the lead in the second half:
"The trick was just staying with what we do. We've been a good team all year and we didn't want to panic after the last game. We had confidence in ourselves and eventually we were able to start picking them apart."
Quoting Pitt's DeJuan Blair:
On the physical play of the Big East:
"I don't think the referees really call anything differently in conference play. It's a more physical league though, so I think in response to that you're just going to pick up more fouls. I like that style of basketball though. It's a big reason why I came to Pitt."
On improvements the team made after
"We knew we had to rebound the ball better. That was the biggest thing we didn't do against
Quoting Pitt's Sam Young:
On his play in the second half:
"My shot was falling early again, so I just tried to contribute in other ways. I wanted to play good defense and make sure I rebounded the ball. When I hit that three pointer in the second half though, it was like the lid came off and I was able to relax. I think loosening up is what allowed me to make that block and steal later on."
Quoting Pitt's Tyrell Biggs:
On his play:
"I'm just trying to give us what we need. Sometimes we need a guy to go down low and mix it up and scrap for rebounds. Other times, we need a guy to go out and hit some jump shots and loosen up the zone. I just try to be prepared for whatever coach tells me to do."
Quoting Villanova Head Coach Jay Wright:
Opening Statement:
"We played a hungry team. They [Pitt] did a great job. Their effort wore us down. DeJuan Blair and Tyrell Biggs made some big shots and they wore us down on the offensive glass. They buried us under the basket. I give them credit, they were a tough team. We missed a lot of lay ups and against a good team you can't do that and win."
On Villanova's Only Lead of the Game:
"We got into foul trouble and they [Pitt] hit a lot of big shots. They played a great game. Every time we made a run, they had an answer."
On His Team's Morale Three-Straight Losses:
"I'm not worried about the morale. We can't dwell on that. We need to think about how we're going to come back against
On How Pitt is a Different Team from the First Time Villanova Played Them This Year:
"The first time we played Pitt they were definitely finding their way after the injuries the team suffered. Keith Benjamin and Ronald Ramon have really stepped up. Ramon is running the show now and he is so solid. Tyrell Biggs, Gary McGhee and Brad Wanamaker are also playing well and getting experience. They have adjusted well."
On Villanova's Injuries:
"We had some blood tests done on Shane [
Quoting Villanova's Scottie Reynolds:
On Playing From Behind:
"In the Big East Conference, you have to come prepared. Each night is going to be tough and physical, so you have to be ready mentally and physically. They [Pitt] were there at the end with rebounds and put-backs and we weren't. When you have lapses like that it's tough to beat a team like Pitt."
On Keeping the Team's Sprits up After the Loss:
"I'll need to address everyone. We lost three games but now we need to come back. You can't get down about losses. If you dwell on the past you'll never be in the present."
