2011-12 Chattanooga Mocs Basketball
UTC vs. Hiwassee
December 21, 2011
Head Coach John Shulman
Thoughts on the first half of the season
"I told them right before they left it's been a very difficult first half. I'm not sure who believes we can do this or that, but our goal when we get back in here on Dec. 26 is to be the best basketball team this team can be. Our goal is not to do this or that; we just have to be the best basketball team we can be. We've had some crazy stuff happen to us, and we haven't played great basketball, but that's the goal when we get back."
On playing an early game before break
"It's time for Christmas. It's time to spend four days away, go into hibernation and enjoy families. There's a time for ball and there's a time for Christmas and holidays. This is hard to play a game at Noon right before you leave for Christmas break, but I thought they did a nice job of coming out. Now it's time to enjoy families and enjoy the break."
On Ricky Taylor's first half performance
"Here's the problem. When the ball goes in, you look good. Defensively and handling the ball I thought he really had a tough first half. But you look at the ball going in. That's what is crazy about this game. When the ball goes in, you're a good team. When the ball doesn't go in, you're not a good team. We had better looks against Kentucky, but, for whatever reason, the ball didn't go in. But the ball went in for Ricky in the first half. But that's all that was. The ball went in for him."
On the injured Omar Wattad
"He got hit in the jaw. I don't know how or where. I don't know if it was a loose ball or what, but he said his head was hurting. Omar is an actor (joking tone). So Omar is walking off the court saying, 'I can't see, I can't see.' If a player can't see, you better get your trainer involved. His symptoms were a lot better yesterday morning, but you have to be symptom free for 24 hours, and we're very cautious in dealing with concussions. He should be able to practice by the time he gets back after Christmas."
Keegan Bell, Guard, Senior
On playing an early game
"It was pretty easy for me because we had a lot of SEC games at Noon. I was kind of used to it, but it was a little different because I haven't done that in a few years. It's when you get the competitive juices going, no matter when it is. You have to be ready to roll. I thought we did a good job. We really opened the game out well and executed what we were supposed to do. We did a great job defensively, and Ricky Taylor was hitting everything he put up. It makes it for an easier game."
Thoughts on the first half of the season
"It's definitely been difficult in aspect when we have so much put on the season and put on us, pressures and all of that, and we want to succeed. So when you don't match what you've expected to pull out, it can be frustrating, but I think we are in a good spot. I would rather have screwed up then than to come back after Christmas and it be the other way around. I think we're going to do something special, and I think it is a very good point we're at right now. To leave feeling positive about things helps it out, too. Then when we come back we're going to try to go 0-0 and do this thing."
Ricky Taylor, Guard, Senior
On playing an early game
"I love the Noon games. It gives us a chance to go home a little earlier, and I am just thankful for the teammates I have to play with. We have great chemistry we all love each other. I think we had a great day."
On the key to his big first half
"I play with UTC's all-time leading assists leader so I have to give a lot of credit to Keegan Bell for finding me. He is the best point guard I have ever played with in my life. It is really Keegan getting me my shots, running the offense and making the right decisions."
Thoughts on the first half of the season
"We had our ups and out downs. We've kind of been on the down side, but we do believe in turnarounds. We have the right pieces. We just need to stay together and stick to the plan. We'll be alright."
