Dec. 18, 2002
Quotes from the San Diego State men's basketball weekly press conference held on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Opening comments:
"We are playing better and it starts with how we defend and rebound and that has been a lot better. We need to be thankful of that and know that is our staple and work on every other part of our game. It is nice to have the three new bodies that we now have the ability to put out there. It gives us a lot more flexibility, versatility and makes coaching a little bit easier and makes coaching a little bit harder. That will be the trick to mix and match and blend and get the right combination out to grow the program from where we are right now."
How much have an impact have the three new player had:
"Even though I think we should have won a couple of the games that we didn't without any of them, had we had any one of the three I think we probably would have won one or both of the games we lost. They should be immediately help to us and yet they are feeling their way around. So am I with the rotation. I think in a month from now we will be able to tell how much better are we and how much of an impact have those three had. You obviously feel better about your chances when you have more players and when those players are fairly talented. The fun part now is seeing how they react and perform when they know they can play. When they know there is competition for playing time."
On the offense:
"We need to be a better conversion team and we need to make sure when we run a half-court offense, that we move the ball and sometimes pass-up the first shot for a better shot. We are not as efficient as we would like to be on offense right now."
Can this team be a "special team":
"I think we have the talent, if we can get everything moving together, we have a chance to be a pretty good team. You better be good and talented to have a chance to win. I hope that we can say a month from now that we are good. I like our team."
DEANDRE MOORE
On the Hawai'i game:
"Offensively we are kind of stagnant but defensively we were as good as we have been all year. We have a lot of things to work on. Right now I do feel good about our team considering we have everyone to play. It is good competition."
Compare where the team is at now compared to the end of last season:
"We just need to find a groove. We stumbled early in the season but now we are at full strength. I feel we are just as good now as we were at the end of last season. If we can improve on both ends of the court, it could be something magical."
On having the same record this season after seven games as last season:
"Tony (Bland) and I talked about that a lot. We looked at our record after our first four games and noticed that was identical to a year ago. We really weren't in a bad position. It is a learning process. That is why you play the games. We are a young team. We are getting better every day and that is what you hope for right now."
MIKE MACKELL
On Houston:
"They have a great group of guys this year and have some quality big men including (Louis) Truscott who averages a double-double. They are athletic. This is going to be a difficult task for us."
STEVE SIR
On his playing time:
"I don't think my role changes, it is just reduced in minutes a little bit. I know Travis (Hanour), Evan (Burns) and Chris (Manker) are going to need playing time. My role stays the same though. I still have to make shots and make it easier for a player like Tony (Bland) to get to the basket and a player like Mike (Mackell) to be able to operate in the post. I will try and do the exact same thing without as playing as much time. I just have to be ready for my opportunities when coach call on me and play to the best of my opportunity."
On having Burns, Hanour and Manker eligible to play:
"I think everyone on the team has more of a sense of urgency to produce in practice because as the coaches have said we are going to earn our minutes in practice. Although Chris, Travis and Evan were practicing with us before, now they are practicing with us to play. I think it is making us a better team because we have 16 guys in practice that are competitive and want to go after each other."