Postgame Quotes
UNCG at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tenn. - The McKenzie Arena
Jan. 27, 2011
Head Coach John Shulman
On the game:
"It felt like we played four overtimes. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from this game, both ways. We got up 20, got complacent and we didn't guard. The game should have been over at that moment. I am going to be mad because we should have never been in that situation, number one. Number two, the game is never over until it's over. I was really disappointed that it got to that point, but I can't be more pleased with a bunch of kids who were down by seven points with 1:40 to go in the second overtime. I can't believe I am sitting here happy that we won. I am going to have to go back and watch the tape because I don't know what happened, but I am glad that we won by one. We had plenty of opportunities to lower our heads. Keegan Bell got a 10 second call at the end of the first overtime, and I don't know why Omar Wattad let them go and shoot a layup like he did. Yes, I am going to put it on Omar because it's time for time to man up and grow up on the defensive end. There are very valuable lessons, but am I happy? Yes. Do you have to win some of those if you are in a conference race? There is no doubt. I could be sitting in here devastated, so I better be happy that our kids battled back and we found a way to get a win."
On the intensity of the game:
"I hope this game was fun for everyone else, but it's grueling and tugs at your heart if you're coaching. I know what's on the line, and I want something special for the team. I think everybody would have had just as much fun, maybe, if we had just won by 25. Everybody would have been happy and we would have played good. At one time, we were playing really good, so give UNC Greensboro and Brandon Evans credit for making huge shots."
On Ricky Taylor:
"I was walking down here with the sports information director and he was talking about who had the most points in the history of McKenzie Arena and I could figure out who he was talking about. When I asked, he said Ricky Taylor. I asked why? How many points did he have? When he said 41 and I had no idea. I guess somebody had to score them. The only thing I was concerned with was Brandon Evans had 28. Give our kids credit because we could have died. It was over. Down seven with 1:47 on the clock and it was over, but we battled back and they did what I asked them to do. I am thrilled to death with our kids, and thrilled that we didn't quit. Like I said, there are a lot of lessons to be learned."
On practicing tomorrow:
"Some of these guys played a ton of minutes, so I can't practice them too hard tomorrow. I don't know how anybody else did in the league tonight, but I know how good Elon is. I know that we don't have a lot of time to get ready for Saturday."
On the home crowd:
"I believe our students are beginning to come out and it was nice to see the crowd out. We need them. They saw a great basketball game tonight, and the last two games have been pretty good games. I am pleading and begging for people to come out. We are trying to win the north, that's no secret, and we need fans out here on Saturday night. Its legends night, we have a lot of legends walking in here on Saturday and we need people in here. It's a huge game."
Head Coach John Shulman
On the thoughts on the game:
"It felt like we played four overtimes. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from this game, both ways. We got up 20, got complacent and we didn't guard. The game should have been over at that moment. I am going to be mad because we should have never been in that situation, number one. Number two, the game is never over until it's over. I was really disappointed that it got to that point, but I can't be more pleased with a bunch of kids who were down by seven points with 1:40 to go in the second overtime. I can't believe I am sitting here happy that we won. I am going to have to go back and watch the tape because I don't know what happened, but I am glad that we won by one. We had plenty of opportunities to lower our heads. Keegan Bell got a 10 second call at the end of the first overtime, and I don't know why Omar Wattad let them go and shoot a layup like he did. Yes, I am going to put it on Omar because it's time for time to man up and grow up on the defensive end. There are very valuable lessons, but am I happy? Yes. Do you have to win some of those if you are in a conference race? There is no doubt. I could be sitting in here devastated, so I better be happy that our kids battled back and we found a way to get a win."
On the intensity of the game:
"I hope this game was fun for everyone else, but it's grueling and tugs at your heart if you're coaching. I know what's on the line, and I want something special for the team. I think everybody would have had just as much fun, maybe, if we had just won by 25. Everybody would have been happy and we would have played good. At one time, we were playing really good, so give UNC Greensboro and Brandon Evans credit for making huge shots."
On Ricky Taylor:
"I was walking down here with the sports information director and he was talking about who had the most points in the history of McKenzie Arena and I could figure out who he was talking about. When I asked, he said Ricky Taylor. I asked why? How many points did he have? When he said 41 and I had no idea. I guess somebody had to score them. The only thing I was concerned with was Brandon Evans had 28. Give our kids credit because we could have died. It was over. Down seven with 1:47 on the clock and it was over, but we battled back and they did what I asked them to do. I am thrilled to death with our kids, and thrilled that we didn't quit. Like I said, there are a lot of lessons to be learned."
On practicing tomorrow:
"Some of these guys played a ton of minutes, so I can't practice them too hard tomorrow. I don't know how anybody else did in the league tonight, but I know how good Elon is. I know that we don't have a lot of time to get ready for Saturday."
On the home crowd:
"I believe our students are beginning to come out and it was nice to see the crowd out. We need them. They saw a great basketball game tonight, and the last two games have been pretty good games. I am pleading and begging for people to come out. We are trying to win the north, that's no secret, and we need fans out here on Saturday night. Its legends night, we have a lot of legends walking in here on Saturday and we need people in here. It's a huge game."
Junior Ricky Taylor
On letting off the gas pedal:
"I believe we got complacent when we got up 20. We mentally and physically were out of the game. Coach kept telling us to fight and this game is not over, but we let them come back. However, in the end we showed fight ourselves. Overall, it was just a crazy, anxious and wild game."
On his spectacular night:
"I would have to give a lot of credit to Saffore for screening on my man all night. Totally unselfish, and it really helped me get my shot outside and inside. Also, Keegan Bell distributing the ball like he usually does. He is the best point guard in the world."
On the fast-break offense tonight:
"I have to give a lot of credit to UNC-Greensboro. They have a lot of players that aggressively hit the offensive glass which is great hustle for them, but it allowed us to run the break whenever we got the rebound."
On did it feel like a 40 point night:
"It sure did feel like it. I need fluids and energy back in my body. It is important to get rest tonight and a little bit tomorrow to be ready for ELON Saturday."
Junior Keegan Bell
On trying to top Ricky:
"Yea you know us basketball guys, we are competitive. That is what makes us better."
Man, this was an ugly, ugly, ugly win! I am happy though for sure with any 'W.' We did not give up which I was happy with. It was certainly a tough game. UNC-Greensboro is a tough and talented team. They are a very young team, and will certainly be a challenger in this conference next year and the year after in my opinion."
We were down seven in the second overtime with just over a minute to play, but we did not give up at all."
On the team:
"We believe in each other. When bad things happen, we turn to each other for support. Basketball is a game of runs. We have matured over the season and it helped us tonight."
On leading most of tonight:
For us to get up by that much and let them come back is not acceptable. However, give UNCG credit for turning up the heat. They hit shots and caught fire. It is a great lesson, because you are not going to have an easy night in this league no matter who you play.
On what happened at the end of regulation:
"The play was designed for Chris Early to maybe go for a quick two or drive it and then kick it out to me for a three. He made a heck of a play as a big man and kicked it out to me on top, and then he screened for me, and I let it go."
UNCG Head Coach Mike Dement
On the game:
"It was a great basketball game for the fans. There were a lot of good thing on the floor for both teams. Everybody hit big shots back and forth, and neither team was able to got stops.
On amount of free throws and three pointers:
"53 free throws has got to be a record some where, because that is a lot. We hit 17 threes, that has to be one of the highest we have done in a long time, if not ever."
On team's play:
"We are down 20 something in the second half. We come back and play great and take a six or seven point lead with a minute and something to go. You have to do a lot of great things to do that. We just didn't finish it. We missed a free throw. We couldn't play defense without fouling. They hit a three while we were in zone. We shoot a tremendous percentage in the second half, and that shows us that we can put points up."
