Postgame Quotes
Davidson at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tenn. - McKenzie Arena
Jan. 26, 2012
Chattanooga Head Coach John Shulman
Opening Statement:
"That's our second straight that we've lost by a point. Now let's see how much resiliancy we've got. Coach Jolley showed a lot of resiliancy coming back after his father passed away sitting on the bench and coaching. Getting beat by one is heartbreaking but we're going to get back off our duff and we're going to get back going again. I was proud of our guy's effort. We didn't play fantastic but we battled enough to win the basketball game. We battled enough but for whatever reason can't get a whole of of good stuff to happen for us. I don't know why. They battle and battle and battle. We battled through injuries. Z couldn't go because of his knee. Jahmal had a hamstring issue. We battled with a lineup we've never used. For whatever reason the basketball gods aren't letting us have success right now. I don't know why. We deserve it and we're playing hard enough. What do you do? You have to go back to work."
On how his team will respond:
"We just came of a road swing where we lost three straight, where could of won three straight. Now we've got this one. What we're supposed to be doing is teaching these kids about life. What do you do tomorrow? You get your tail-end up tomorrow and get to class, you get to practice at 3:30 and prepare for Georgia Southern. It's not easy but I don't think life is easy."
On the final seconds:
"Keegan got nailed on a screen but that's fine because we were ready for that. Omar is put in a tought spot right there. The last thing I said was 'Defend and guard. Don't worry about fouling but we've got to guard.' And the rest is history."
On playing with four guards:
"Well we had to. Z couldn't move, Jahmal had a hamstring issue. We were stuck. We hadn't worked on that a whole but you have to do what you have to do. You have to figure out a way. Jared Bryant got stuck out there in that situation. It didn't matter, we had to figure out a way and we should of figured out a better way."
Senior Keegan Bell
On his three to tie it at 63:
"I just wanted to get a ball screen and get something. I was going to attack the rim and try to get others open, but I felt that they started denying there and they weren't helping out their guy. We needed a three so I just stepped up. I looked and knew I was a little deep, but I knew that was the best space and time I would have to shoot it. I just pulled it and it went in."
On the defensive scheme toward the end of the game:
"We had a plan and we were going to switch everything, and I felt we let them get too much momentum. I felt like it was good defense. The best we could have done. We might not have wanted him to get so deep, but catching it full-steam-ahead makes it hard to stay in front of the ball handler. At that moment we would rather turn than let him get there because we didn't want him to have a chance to foul. But he got in so close that he could have made the shot."
On recovering from the loss and moving forward:
"We really are a resilient bunch. I think it is easy to keep fighting. Coach Shulman looked at us and everyone said there was no way we're bagging it or backing down. We're as hungry as ever to get to practice tomorrow and get ready to roll. We're going to learn from our mistakes and the little things we did wrong. There were a lot of positives tonight. You're talking about Davidson, who is undefeated in the league, and we lose by one. They're a great team, but we can hang with them and play. All that's going to matter is when we're there at the end. We've got nine games left to go, and hopefully we win out those nine games, but if we don't, it's all determined in the tournament. If we can start playing our best basketball when the tournament comes around, that's all that really matters."
Senior Ricky Taylor
On deserving to win the game:
"We really do deserve to win this game. We were really close. We're tired of hearing Coach Shulman say it, and we know he's tired of saying it. We just have to continue playing hard, unselfish and buckle down defensively. If we do, we should be able to win this game Saturday."
On the turnover under a minute left:
"I thought Omar Wattad was open, and I didn't know my defender was going to try to deflect it. It was a surprise to me. I have to give a lot of credit to Davidson's defensive philosophy and scheme. He made a great play and I am still upset about that. I believe that helped them win the game."
Davidson Head Coach Bob McKillop
Opening Statement:
"We are thrilled with this victory. It was hard fought and incredibly well refereed. Chattanooga did not give up. You don't expect a John Shulman team or a class with as many seniors as they have to give up. We feel very fortunate to get out of here with a victory."
Expectations coming into the game:
"You look at what Chattanooga did last Saturday in North Carolina against Elon, and they scored 86 or 87 points, and there was 80 points scored in the previous game to the Elon game against Greensboro. Elon plays a similar style to us, so you wouldn't have anticipated tonight being a low scoring game. It was a little bit unusual that tonight was low scoring. I thought Chattanooga's doubling in the post was very effective. It was very smart and a very good strategy tactically. Not only was it smart, but it was very well executed."
On the play of Keegan Bell late in the game:
"Keegan Bell made a tremendous shot as he made 40 seconds earlier. He has done that a number of times in his career, and that is why he is the great player he is. We gave him a little too much space."
On tonight's crowd at McKenzie Arena:
"Give this crowd credit. I thought it was a very loud and energetic crowd. I think it inspired Chattanooga in several moments during the game. I think when it got to be a 13-point lead, they wouldn't have let Chattanooga die."
