Dec. 15, 2003
SAN DIEGO -
Head Coach Steve Fisher
On Cal Poly:
I've been impressed with them a lot, first when we played them up there last year and then from a distance following the scores. Gregg Gottlieb, one our coaches, was on staff there and had a stop in between before he came here. They've done a nice job. (Cal Poly head coach) Kevin Bromley has done a really good job of bringing in some quality players and adapting to them and vice versa. This is a game where our players will be aware that if we don't play well, we're not going to win. We're going to need to play well. Last year, we went to their building, I believe they've got a very good winning percentage at home, and we look up and we're done 19-7. And then we're down 12 four to five minutes into the second half. We remember that, I know we as coaches do, and we'll refresh our players' memories. (Cal Poly forward) Shane Schilling, the Minnesota transfer, did not play last year. (Cal Poly forward) Nick Enzweiler, the UTEP transfer, did not play last year. They're both major college players. (Cal Poly forward) Varnie Dennis is very good. To go into Cal and win, that's a pretty impressive accomplishment, so I'm sure they're going to come in here obviously unafraid as they have already been there, and done that at a major program on the road.
Fisher on philosophy on whether to take transfers:
What you have to do, in my opinion, is overanalyze before you jump to take a transfer. You need to know why should we (take the transfer). Most of the time kids leave, it revolves around not enough playing time, academics or off-court issues. Those last two are bad that you don't want to get involved with. And the playing time, often this is an inexact science and sometimes a guy everybody says how good he is and goes and doesn't get to play, maybe he's not as good as everybody says he is. So you have to be careful on that, if you transfer, don't transfer somebody else's problems. We've obviously taken several transfers from four-year schools. Without them we would not have been nearly as successful, so obviously there's a place for them. But we knew those kids (that transferred to SDSU). The players that we have taken here as transfers, we had a pretty good initial feel because we either recruited them or they played for us.
On the Texas Tech game:
This is the best we played against Texas Tech. The final 10-point spread was the biggest of the whole game. It was a game where with four minutes to go we felt like we were still going to win even though we were four or five behind. So you take heart in that and yet this is every bit of what we'll see going to BYU and Utah, going to Wyoming and Colorado State. You've got to be able to find a way to win against a good team on the road. We've got to point out all the things that we did that cost us and then point out the good things that we did that kept us where we had a chance to win.
Fisher on how Brandon Heath has surprised him so far this season:
I didn't think (guard) Brandon (Heath) would be shooting the ball as much as he is. And he's shooting the ball because he's making shots and he's making important shots. So that surprises me more than anything because he wants to take big shots, but not only does he want to but he's made some very, very important baskets at crucial times for us in most games that we've played.
Fisher on Brandon Heath and if there can be chemistry problems with freshmen taking major roles:
I really don't think so even though he's one of two freshmen playing, we've only got one starter returning. I don't view that as an issue. Now what Brandon has to do is even though he scored 30 points on Saturday (against Texas Tech), he still has to refine his shot selection, he usually takes 2-3 bad shots a game that he usually misses, and he needs to shoot a better percentage from the field. To me, if he's going to take as many shots as he and (point guard) Wesley (Stokes), they're out two top leading shot-attempt guys, you need to shoot more than 41-42 percent from the field. But that's our team right now. If I had a complaint, it would be why we are not having a higher field-goal percentage. We need to be 45-47 percent. But I don't worry about a chemistry issue. Granted if you're around Brandon, he's unassuming and he rarely wants to talk. He's not going around, bragging about accomplishment or complaining he's not getting shots when he walks in the door. I did not know him that well even though we recruited him coming out of high school. Anytime you don't qualify and predict, you say this is someone who doesn't care about anything other than basketball and he's not as good as his reputation because he's coming from Westchester (High School in Los Angeles), everybody's better at Westchester, so the thing I've come to appreciate about him is the quality of the young guy. He really is a quality person who cares. When our grades come out in January, I'm going to be shocked if he doesn't have some pretty good grades, he's worked that hard. Our freshmen have worked harder than anybody else in terms of the demands that have been placed on them academically. And he's done it without having to be ball-and-chained to get him to do it so I really like that about him. On the court, I knew that he's a terrific athlete, he's our best athlete, but he's so tenacious at both ends of the floor. He doesn't appear to let a bad play bother him as most people do, not just freshmen, as most people do. He has a resiliency that's kind of unique and I think that's important that he maintain that.
Fisher on whether this year's team chemistry is more suitable to have a freshman break out and play like Brandon Heath:
To some measure. I think a year ago, Tony (Bland) was going to get more shots than anybody and if Brandon was here last year and getting as many shots as he is, maybe it would have been an issue. You've got a senior in Aerick Sanders who's accepting of everybody, maybe at times too accepting. If you look at stats, he and (John) Sharper are our highest percentage shooters, so (Sanders) is a senior, if it was somebody else, they might be saying, why is he getting 19 shots, why am I not getting 19 shots. And I ask myself the same question, why aren't we getting Aerick more shots. Our kids do genuinely enjoy one another. I think Ben Wardrop said it best, that when they played when the coaches weren't around in the preseason, it was the best they played because nobody dribbled it until they could shoot it. They moved the ball, played more like they wanted to give the other guy an opportunity to also play with them, so that has something to do with the makeup of the whole team.
Fisher on Trimaine Davis' readiness to play:
Trimaine told me that he's ready to go today, and I said, what did the doctor say, and he said, "We'll I haven't talked to the doctor, but (athletic trainer) Mark Haines and I talked and he says I'm practicing, coach. I told you that when you left for Texas Tech. I told the black shirts (the first team who practice against the red shirted second team at SDSU practices) to be on guard because I'm back."
So I don't know, I'm anxious to see if he does practice and if he does practice and if he's able to practice without a little bit of fear of the knee. But he said he's going to practice.
Chris Walton
On the Texas Tech game:
Texas Tech is a game that we have to learn from as a team. After we got back to the hotel after the game we had study hall for a few hours, and then we watched the whole tape over again with coach. There were some things we have to work at on that tape and get better at as a team and as individuals. It is something that we can't dwell on. It is a big week for us academically. Everyone has to take care of their studies, and finish up the semester strong. And we have three games in the next week that are huge for this program. We have to put Texas Tech behind us, take the positives from the game and move on from there.
On freshman Brandon Heath:
It is great having Brandon on the team. The great thing about this team is that we don't have egos and we don't really care that he is a freshman and shooting more shots than anybody else. Aerick (Sanders) and I have both been here four years, but if he is making shots he is taking shots, that is fine with us. Our main goal here is to win and coach is going to have players on the floor that will help us win. There have been a couple games this year that we wouldn't have won without Brandon out there. We have no problem with him doing what he does. We know he is a talented basketball player. He is a good person on and off the floor and it is a good mix that we have with him right now.
Can a freshman be a go-to-guy on a basketball team?
Yeah. If he is making shots like he has been. You saw at USD where he came down and scored nine points in the last couple minutes of the game. If he is feeling it that night then he is going to get those big shots. But if the shots aren't falling there is always other guys that are going to step up. That is the great part about our team is that on any given night anyone can be our leading scorer, anyone can be our go-to guy. Who ever is feeling it, we are going to go to him.
Is this team different than the past couple seasons in accepting young players:
I don't think in the past they would have been as accepting as we have been this year. When Aerick and I first got here as freshman, there was a lot different atmosphere in the locker room. Most of the guys that were here were transfers and they were a lot older and were used to the hierarchy around college basketball where juniors and seniors are going to be the main guys that step up and get the big shots. Aerick and I learned over the years that it doesn't matter how old you are or if you have been here three or four years. If you are playing the best than you are going to get the most shots.
Brandon Heath
On if he is surprised about what he has accomplished already this season:
I know what I am capable of and my abilities to score. I have had confidence the entire time. My main thing is stay consistent and stay humble and not let anything go to my head.
On how Coach Gary Grant has helped him:
He helps me a lot. He has a lot of experience. He teaches me lessons off and on the court. On the court, he has helped me with my decision making, what are good shots and bad shots and in all different areas.
Aerick Sanders
On if this team still has another level to go to compete with the elite:
We are still trying to reach that plateau where we can win at Utah and Texas Tech, but we were right there against Texas Tech just like last year in the NIT. Unfortunately we had some crucial turnovers down the stretch that kind of busted the game open for them. This is a different team then in years past that has played in those games. I have been here for four years, but this is still a learning experience for this team of the "dos" and don'ts" in crucial situations. Our team has the mental capacity this year to really take a step back and watch film and watch our opponents and get better as our season goes on.
On freshman Brandon Heath:
I knew what Brandon Heath brought to the table all along. I heard good things about him before he even came hear from people back at home. He had a good showing in the summer league back in L.A. Brandon is having an outstanding year. He isn't perfect, as nobody is, but in his four years here this guy is going to perform.