MOCS MEN'S BASKETBALL QUOTES
Game No. 21 | Chattanooga vs. UNCG | McKenzie Arena | Jan. 24, 2015
Head Coach Will Wade
Did you switch up tonight's game plan from the previous game?
“Yeah, we shot more threes tonight. They tend to give up more threes when their defense is sagged in some, so it gave us some threes. We took what was there. The other night it was more in the paint and tonight it was more from the three.”
On tonight's free throws:
“I wish we would have shot a little bit better but we made enough down the stretch. We did a good job of attacking and getting enough looks down there. I thought [Justin] Tuoyo was especially aggressive down there and did a nice job.”
On the bench's 36 points to their 16
“Yeah, that was good. I thought the key of the game was in the second half, we only gave up two offensive rebounds. Two in the entire second half, after giving up eight in the first half, we didn't give up any second chance points. So, I thought that really swung the momentum of the game. I thought that was critical to us pulling away. [Justin] Tuoyo got the big one at the end. We were able to get out there and ride the clock out a little bit, so I thought that was key to the game for us.”
On rebounds:
“When it comes to rebounds you have to go be tough and go up there and win the balls. We just did a better job of it in the second half. Casey [Jones] is our best defensive rebounder, him and Justin [Tuoyo]. Casey was in foul trouble and got hurt so when he's not out there, that puts a dent in our rebounding.”
Did you do any changing at the half?
“We gave up the three to start the half. They ran a little counter out of their triangle action that they had been running a lot. We had some opportunities. I think we just didn't score around the rim.”
Sophomore Forward Justin Tuoyo
On the physicality on the inside:
“It was a very physical inside. They are probably one of best front courts in the league, so it was a physical game for us.”
On the benefit of tonight's free throws:
“I knew it was going to be a tough game, so I tried to do everything I could. Tonight, I was able to help out through free throws.”
On the team's mentality going into the second half:
“When we got back in Coach told us the difference in this game is offensive rebounding. We didn't get off of the glass in the first half too well, so we came into the second half with the state of mind to box out. We came out in the second half and did that pretty good.”
Sophomore Guard Greg Pryor
On his return to the court:
“Tonight felt good. After my first two games back, I was really frustrated with myself because I felt like I couldn't get it going with my game. I talked to my coaches and they told me to just let it come to me and that every game is not going to perfect. I just came out tonight with a clear mentality and to just go help my team win and it came to me. I was able to put up a couple points.”
On the tempo of the game:
“We like to have a high-tempo game. We like to get out in the open court and run the floor, so playing a high-tempo game really doesn't make a difference for us. We are a team that can play many styles of the game, so when they would try to do different things we were able to adjust.”
UNCG Head Coach Wes Miller
On tonight's game:
“I thought our guys fought hard in both halves. We didn't make enough plays down the stretch to get back in the game and take a lead. But you have to give Chattanooga credit. They did make those plays. They made some big shots, came up with a couple of big offensive rebounds and they did a nice job making free throws down the stretch too. We didn't convert those same opportunities. So, I thought that was the difference. Even though we obviously played a better second half in terms of the point differential, I did think my team played with good effort in both halves.”
Thoughts on foul trouble:
“I think fouls played a part in the whole game. We think RJ White is one of our better players. Certainly, gives us a presence defensively and is the guy that we go to on the offensive end of the floor, we run a lot of actions through him or around him. He was in foul trouble from the first four minutes of the game. Kayel Locke was in foul trouble. Jordy Kuiper was, so every one of our posts was in foul trouble the whole night. Now that's something we had to navigate with our substitutions.”
Being so close in many of the conference game, what is it going to take to take that next step?
“We're right there. I think sometimes we get caught up in records, but there's a little bit more to tell in the story here. We've had so many opportunities to close games out or make a run to win a game and we just haven't been able to turn the corner. I think we have to just keep working, stay committed to the process, and keep getting better every day. There's still a lot of basketball left to be played in this league and I really do believe in my team and my kids.”
