Nov. 17, 2001
LUBBOCK, Texas - Postgame quotes from the San Diego State-Northern Iowa men's basketball game on Friday night.
SAN DIEGO STATE POSTGAME QUOTES
San Diego State vs. Northern Iowa
2001 Ford Red Raider Classic
Lubbock, Texas
HEAD COACH STEVE FISHER
General:
"If we had played five more minutes there would have been just about six of us (fans) and the players and the officials. I know everybody could hear me.
"I was worried they were going to do what they did, dare us to shoot the ball from the perimeter. The more you miss the more they stuff (Mike) Mackell.
"We got a little apprehensive. We got a little nervous.
On the first half:
"We missed good shots. I don't care who you are playing, if you can't play horse and make baskets, you aren't going to win. We were anxious and shot too quickly and that all led to what Jim Roban said. They definitely got the better of us in the first half and we relaxed and played superior in the second half.
On what was said at halftime:
"Jim Roban made a good comment as they came in (at halftime). He said, 'relax you are playing tight. Have some fun. Your uptight all of you.' My comment was I knew Roban was here for a lot of reasons and he said what I was thinking.
On the second half:
"We played hard in the second half. We got a couple of spurts in the second half that were created by defense. I thought Randy (Holcomb) did a great job with his effort and intelligence. "I thought defensive aggressiveness created some looks for us in the second half.
On the second-half spurt:
"I though our full-court defense especially Randy Holcomb was the reason we got the initial spurt in the second half. Randy did a great job of selectively trapping and getting deflections and I think he took two charges. He created havoc with our defense that led to some broken-floor plays.
On tomorrow's game against Texas Tech:
"I think we will play better. I thought they did it in typical Bobby Knight fashion. They didn't make a lot of mental mistakes. They took care of the ball. They didn't get frustrated. They were very precise, more so than any of the other teams that played in the tournament."
TONY BLAND
On the first game as an Aztec:
"It felt great. I just wanted to get this first one out of the way. I wanted to get back in a flow and in a rhythm.
On making his last three shots of the first half:
"It did a lot for me because I am a scorer. When I hit a couple and get a little momentum that is when opportunities open for me and my eyes get big.
On the difference between the first and second half:
"We went in and talked about how they were playing us to shoot. We came out hit a couple of shots and got some easy baskets in the lane and that opened it up for us.
On missing Al Faux and Brandon Smith:
"We miss them a lot. Obviously they are important parts of the program. Al has the three-point ability to open the zone up and Brandon has the ability to slash and do other things. They will help us a lot when they are back but right now we just have to use what we have to get the win."
On your style of play:
"I feel that I am versatile. If I don't have one thing going, I try and compensate in other areas."
On playing Bob Knight and Texas Tech:
"He always has a very discipline team. They take care of the ball. They take good shots. They have a couple of good players. It is going to be a good game for us. In this atmosphere in Lubbock, Texas, it is going to test us. It is early in the season and this is the kind of game we need."