Jan. 18, 2005
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Head coach Steve Fisher
General Remarks:
"We're 2-0 and happy to be there. We're looking forward to coming home and hopefully playing with the same confidence and willingness to make a hard play when it matters. If we do that, we have a chance to be in a position to win with two or three minutes to go in every game. Two games don't make a season and yet, it feels awfully good to win our first two games especially on the road. We have gotten solid contributions from everybody. The statistics make Brandon (Heath) look like a superhero and he scored a lot of points. We had a lot of other people who didn't have the stats that played better than they have in games that we came close to winning. Mohamed Camara is one of them. If you look at the tape he did a great job on how he guarded, helped, used his size and strength, rebounded, and kept UNLV from rebounding so someone from our team could get it. When you win, the guys who score all the points get the publicity, but if you don't have everyone doing their job, you can't win. So we really feel good that we fought and got one at BYU. It gave us immense confidence going into Las Vegas and we found a way to win that game. So we're excited, yet realistic and looking forward to that next game."
On Brandon Heath:
"Brandon is a scorer. He is not afraid to fail, as last year as a freshman would indicate when he made the game-winner against the University of San Diego, hit a three-pointer against Colorado State to put the game into overtime, he likes taking big shots. What he did at UNLV was the best since he's been here in being able to attack off the dribble and be under control as he finished. He was sensational. Of his 12 field goals, I believe nine of them were layups and he created that. He was also 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. When we needed a big basket, Brandon seemed to be there to deliver it for us. So he deserves the attention and we're hopeful that he can see some of the things he did and continue to do them."
On the possibility of starting the conference season 3-0:
"We have a chance to (start 3-0), which is exciting. The last two years we have started 2-0, the two wins (last year) have both been at home. We're hopeful that we'll be able to do that and hold home serve. We're 5-4 at home this season, so we haven't been the greatest home team, but we're capable of coming in here and winning on Saturday. That is our goal. I think Saturday will be a great game. I believe it will be a close game. We have to be ready to play for 40 minutes."
On whether starting 2-0 sends a statement:
"I don't think we are into making statements two games into the conference season. If we play together and we guard and rebound, we're going to have chance. If we do a good job of defending and that includes conversion defense, that was one of my biggest fears against UNLV and we did a good job of that. If we bring closure with rebounding, we're going have a chance. We need to stay healthy, also. We have a lot of things that have to come together before we start making statements. I am thrilled we're 2-0 and yet, we're 2-0. We've got a lot of games to go."
On winning ballgames:
"Winning gives you tremendous confidence. We were a team that in our seven losses, I believe five for sure and maybe six, were there to win and we just couldn't get it done. It's hard to hear people say, `Hey, we're close.' When you win one like we did at BYU, that was a significant win for us. That was a statement game for us, not for anyone else, that we can go to BYU and not lose at the buzzer, but win at the buzzer. I know that helped us at UNLV, I know it did."
On having a third scoring threat:
"I think Chris Manker is someone where you look back at the games he has played well, by playing well I mean when he scores in double figures, we are hard to beat. We need a third guy to step up consistently to be a threat; it opens it up for other people. Chris Walton could be that third offensive option. It has really done wonders for the stability of our team to have Chris (Walton) back when he says that, `I'm not 100 percent and I have to accept it whether I start or come off the bench, whether I play 30 minutes or 25 minutes, I know I can help us win.' He provided that at BYU when he came in by his presence. It looked like we calmed down when he had the ball so we need him out there. Hopefully he will be able to function the rest of the season both in practice and in the games."
Senior Forward Chris Walton:
On winning at BYU and UNLV:
"When you win games, everything feels like it is going better. What we can't do right now is be happy where we are. We have to look at those games and see how we could have played better. It is going to take more than the way we have played so far to win the conference."
On 2-0 conference start:
"Winning two games on the road gives us a lot of confidence. That has been tough to do the past two years. This week is dedicated to Wyoming. We have to hold home court and this weekend is a big moment for our team and our program."
On the team's new confidence:
"We have a good group of guys on this team. If your team has character then you think you can win games. If you start getting used to losing, then your team is in trouble. This team isn't like that."
Sophomore Forward Marcus Slaughter:
On playing at home:
"I wish we could just line all the road games up in a row the way we are playing right now. We are glad to be home, and with Big Monday coming up and school coming back into session we will have a lot of fans and support. Hopefully we will play some good games at home and get the wins."
On Wyoming:
"Wyoming has good big men with good feet. They like to throw it inside and pound it in. We just have to challenge their size."
Sophomore Guard Brandon Heath:
On his game against UNLV:
"Getting the ball to the basket and not settling for jump shots was the big key. When you get a few easy buckets that usually gets you going in the game. With our big men being able to shoot, that brings defenders away from the basket, which creates some good driving angles."