With the 2011 Atlantic 10 conference tournament in the rear view mirror, here are some quotes from the soiree in Atlantic City.
Dayton’s Luke Fabrizius on his game-winning free throws as #9 Dayton upset #1 Xavier to start the weekend.
“I went down and didn’t even hear the whistle go off. I didn’t even think I got fouled. And Juwan looked at me and said, you’re shooting free throws. So I had to shake it off and knock them down.”
Before toeing the charity stripe, Fabrizius was 5-for-11 from the line…in 82 games over three seasons for the Flyers.
St. Joseph’s Phil Martelli on his decision whether to foul or not in the final seconds of the Hawks 93-90 victory over Duquesne.
“There were moments on that sideline I felt like Sybil. There were so many voices in my head, and a lot of them were assistant coaches and then the assistant coaches that sit right behind in the stand that paid a lot of money. They’re all assistant coaches, too.
I was trying to calculate it in my brain to say that 7.7 if they cross half court and there’s 5 point… and now you’re blocking out Monster and Saunders with two freshmen. That’s really all the things — and you have to make that decision like that.”
Richmond’s Chris Mooney after the Spiders beat Temple in the semi-final round:
“I don’t want to say too much because growing up I would always make fun of the coaches who cried at the podium. So I don’t want to get too emotional, but I’m extremely proud of my guys.”
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqtV5gbu8x0]
Dayton’s Brian Gregory responding to a question about what it’s like to prepare for Richmond’s Kevin Anderson:
“I’m glad it’s over. I’m glad I don’t have to do it again.”
La Salle’s Dr. John Giannini after his team’s loss to Temple:
“I often say that Temple is as good a defensive team as there is in my opinion, but if we were to go out there and talk about how to cover a back screen, how to cover a down screen, how to cover a ball screen, I mean, our guys could put on a wonderful instructional video. But for some reason, in competitive situations, it’s a very low carry over.”
Xavier’s Chris Mack on Dayton’s rebounding advantage in the Musketeers’ first round loss to their I75 rival:
“We couldn’t get any defensive rebounds because they weren’t missing.”
Dayton’s Chris Wright when asked about playing in a game with only 31 fouls called.
“During the year I had a lot of fouls, so I’d be sitting next to BG (Dayton coach Brian Gregory) a lot. So I’m happy we had a lot of fouls that aren’t called. To only have one foul, that’s new for me.”
Richmond’s Kevin Anderson when asked about playing nearly 120 minutes in three days whether he would want a Thursday or Friday game in the upcoming NCAA tournament:
“This is the best time of the season right here. We’re just champions right now. We’re emotionally on the high right now. The tournament, it’s the best thing. If you’re a competitor, man, and you love basketball like I do, like the team does, you’re ready to play whenever. So I’m ready to play right now. I could go again right now. If the tournament started in 20 minutes, I can go again. So I’m ready to play.”
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dmoxGtPkaA]
Thanks Casey! I swear I heard someone yelling ” High Hand” at my desk today!
MAYDAY! MAYDAY!
“But for some reason, in competitive situations, it’s a very low carry over.”
That one touches home a bit for fellow coaches, doesn’t it? It’s funny how people can watch from the stands as a team self-implodes because of a simple breakdown in execution and wonder why “the coach hasn’t taught them how to cover that.” 90% of the time he or she has, but that darn gap exists for some reason.
Rey – that could touch home with anyone that works with youngsters.