Postgame Quotes
01/22/12 | Men's Basketball
Oregon 75, UCLA 68
Postgame Quotes -
January 21, 2012
Matthew Knight Arena
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Head Coach Dana
Altman
On the halftime discussion...
"We have to play with passion and energy and we just were not. In the second half the guys got more into it which got us going. Tony Woods on the inside is just changing our defense with his blocking of shots and with intimidating the middle. Devoe Joseph really turned it up in the second half."
On the press...
"We got the crowd into it and we got UCLA on their heels and I just love to coach that way. It is an exciting way to play. The full court stuff really helped us out."
First half versus second half...
"Our focus in the first half was really bad. We would go trap and someone would rotate and they (UCLA) would make baskets."
On the game...
"We had good possessions that were executed well but it was the guys and then knowing what they want to do."
On consistency...
"Our consistency is not where it should be. It disappoints everyone when we get scored on, but we are a very tough team and I think that showed in the second half. I think that they had us on our heels in the first half and were the aggressors, but in the second half I think that we were the aggressors."
On expectations...
"I am a little disappointed that we aren't further along defensively. I thought that we would be executing there better. At times I am really happy with them and then when they do not execute well I am mad at them for not doing the play well, and I am also disappointed in myself."
On having a break between now and the next game...
"The break is nice because it gives the group a chance to recharge and get rested for a three- game week and a long road trip. They say this is the game and let's get ready for it.
Forward E.J. Singler
On what changed in the second half...
"We had more effort and our press produced energy for us. Our defense stepped up in the second half and Tony (Woods) helped by altering shots. Garrett (Sim) gave us back-to-back three's that gave us a big boost."
On winning...
"We showed toughness and heart today. Coming out and winning feels good and shows we have heart and that means a lot."
On his free throw shooting...
"I got into a groove with free throws. I got up knowing that I was going to make them. I was going up to the rim and they were calling the foul, so I kept trying to go to the rim and kept getting to the line."
On Oregon State...
"They can beat anyone in the conference. Their stats don't show how good they are playing. They are playing very tough."
Guard Garrett Sim
On the second half...
"We came out and came together as a team. The press changed the game for us. We finally started making plays for each other in the second half."
On his back-to-back three's...
"I knew that on the second one if I got open, then I would shoot it with confidence. I just wanted to jump start my team and we got tied up by the next media timeout."
On what Coach Altman said at halftime...
"He emphasized rebounding and toughness. He wanted us to be tougher out there. Tony did a great job blocking shots near the end of the game that really helped us."
On team atmosphere...
"We made plays that we needed to win and we were just excited. We wanted to thank the crowd on the court. They really jump started us and got us excited. I think it's the best crowd we've had this season."
On being able to close out games...
"We have a passion for the game and an eagerness to win. We have a lot of seniors that are sick of not closing out games, so we want to change that. We have a group that's coming together and it allows us to close out games."
