University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Post-Game Quotesheet
1/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Recap |
Box Score |
Notes |
Photo Gallery 
POST-GAME QUOTESHEET
Pitt at Virginia Tech • Cassell Coliseum • Blacksburg, Va. • January 27, 2015
Virginia Tech 70, Pitt 67 (OT)
Quoting Pitt Head Coach Jamie Dixon
“It’s a tough loss for us, but it’s a good win for Virginia Tech. That’s certainly not how you want it to end. I felt like our guys battled. I’m very proud of our effort, we responded through some adversity being down, in foul trouble, having guys get hurt. Aron [Phillips-Nwankwo] was out with his shoulder, Cam [Wright] had the dislocated finger. At the end of the day they made big shots and they made big plays and the 12 threes just wore on us. We didn’t get it get it done down the stretch. We had the lead, I thought we defended well on those situations, but they were able to get to the foul line. The second-chance shots, which is what we discussed. I’m proud of our effort, I’m proud of what we did, we had some guys make some big shots and big plays, but there’s a little disappointment with this loss.”
On Virginia Tech’s 3-point shooting:
“I think there were some zone ones that they broke down early, but we have to win with our man and get it done with our man. Obviously the ones they hit at the end of the game were tough shots, and shots that in most cases you want them taking. But I really give Smith credit and Muller credit. They made shots and they made threes. It’s a pattern, we’re getting beat at the three-point line and we know it and we need to get it fixed. This is a team that needed those 12 threes and they got them.”
On outrebounding Tech tonight:
“Offensive rebounding is a big thing for us and I think we did a good job. I thought our shot selection was good. The turnovers in the first half were what really hurt us, but we took care of that in the second half and we took care of the ball. At the end of the day we have to come up with the win. The rebounding numbers were good and in our favor but at the end of the day the free throw line and the threes are what got us beat.”
Quoting Virginia Tech Head Coach Buzz Williams
On the play of Adam Smith:
“I said it at ACC Media Day, I believed it then and I believe it now, Adam’s got the heart of a lion and he’s not scared. That’s not to say anyone on our team is scared. To be in those positions at his size, you have to have a little something extra burning in you. To be able to shoot the shot he did against Virginia and then 52 hours later to shoot the shot he did to put it into overtime, and then shoot the shot he did to win it, you have to pump a lot of blood. I’ve always respected how he’s worked and I’m thankful that he made the shot. I thought all the guys worked incredibly hard.”
On Muller stepping up:
“I thought Malik [Muller] was as good as he’s been, this is only the second time he’s been in double figures (UMES), we moved him to the backup four. He’s handled those adjustments really well and I actually think it has helped us a few other ways than just offensively. Him Christian [Beyer], and Adam were stellar in a lot of ways. We don’t have a margin for everyone not to be the absolute best they can be. I say that when we lose and I say that when we win. Single digit turnovers in a 45 minute game, 15 assists on 23 baskets, not getting pulverized on the glass. It’s a one-possession game, and we’ve lost five of them.”
On getting the first conference win:
“I think everybody thinks there is some sort of magic pill or some sort of trick, and maybe there is and I’m too immature to find out. But I believe in what we do, I believe in how we do it, and most importantly I believe in why we do it. None of those things are based on the results. I think the thing that we do and how we go about our days and the things we do on and off the floor are the right things. It speaks to the character of those kids that are in uniform, maybe more importantly it speaks to the people that raised them, that they keep showing up every day. Even if we would have lost, it would have been disappointing, but at some point, I think you have to watch how they compete and the toughness, energy and competitiveness that they play with and respect it. I think it says a lot about what they went through Sunday afternoon and what they went through since Sunday afternoon to be in the position we are in right now.”