Dec. 14, 2006
SAN DIEGO - SDSU Men's Basketball Weekly Press Conference Quotes
Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl
San Diego State Head Coach Steve Fisher
On Saturday's opponent Loyola Marymount:
"We are anxiously preparing for Loyola Marymount, a team that during my tenure here we've had some good games with. We expect another one on Saturday. This is a team that returns three starters from last year. They return Matthew Knight, a guy who shot us up two years ago at their place, and he's a huge force inside. We best be prepared to guard, starting with Knight and (Brandon) Worthy. But they've got other players, too. I anticipate that they will come in excited to play. We beat them here last year. So we're looking forward to a very good basketball game against a good team who expects to be good. They were picked second in their league to Gonzaga. We beat them last year, then they proceeded to win eight of their first 10 conference games. They are going to come in here thinking that they can win, and we have to not let that happen."
On his team's victory over Campbell on Tuesday night:
"Winning was absolutely critical. Winning the way we did was extremely important. We did it in every way good that (a team) could do to win. We made shots; we guarded. We made good decisions; we shared the ball. We had six guys in double figures. We would've had seven if Kyle (Spain) hadn't come out after re-aggravating his foot. So I think we all felt good about ourselves. We shot tremendously well, and we needed to do that. In spite of the fact that we had 48 on Saturday (against Arizona), we're a team that should be able to score points."
On if he is concerned about his team's depth:
"No, I'm really not. I think sometimes opportunity presents a player that can all of a sudden possibly blossom for you. I think Jer'Vaughn Johnson showed some things that he can do if given the opportunity. I think Jon Pastorek will be able to deliver if he's pressed into service. If and when that happens, where you have younger kids playing, then the veterans have to take them under their wing and allow them to relax and be ready to play, help them out during the course of the game. That's the beauty of having more than five guys on scholarship--when guys you think are going to play can't, then somebody else is going to get a chance and usually they will perform."
San Diego State Senior Guard Brandon Heath
On approaching the Mountain West Conference's scoring record:
"The main focus right now is our team winning games. That is our main focus and it is my main focus. (I'm) just working hard every day to get better and that is just all that I am focused on right now. The individual accolades will come later, but as long as we have team success that is all that matters to me."
On the biggest challenge versus Loyola Marymount:
"We are worried a lot about ourselves right now, but we know that LMU is a great team. They have great senior leadership in Brandon Worthy and Matthew Knight. They are two great players on their team. They are good and they are well coached. We know they will come in here and play hard. That is what they do. We know it is going to be a dog fight come Saturday and we are looking forward to it."
On missing junior guard Matt Thomas:
"We miss him a lot. Matt Thomas is a guy who we would like to have on the floor right now, but due to his back he can't be there right now. He is a guy who comes in and plays real solid defense. He is a guy that knows how to pass the ball and he knows how to play the game. Adding Matt would be great, but we have to play with what we have right now. Coming into this season, Richie Williams and I knew we would have to play big minutes for us this year. We accepted the challenge and we will continue to accept it until we get Matt Thomas on the floor."
On Matt Thomas:
"(Having Matt Thomas) would definitely add more depth to our team and size as well. He is a big guard and he is a good guard. Depth is always good as far as a basketball team (is concerned). If you have depth on your team you can do a lot more. You can give guys more breathers, keep guys fresh. We miss him, but we have to keep playing."
San Diego State Senior Forward Mohamed Abukar
On the Campbell game:
"Campbell was a good game for us. Offensively, we shared the ball. We did a good job of getting other people involved. Defensively, we pressured them fairly decent and we got some run-outs and we scored a lot of points. It was a good win for us and I think it can carry over to Saturday (versus Loyola Marymount).
On Loyola Marymount:
"LMU is a good team. We know that. They have some big wins this year. They have a veteran group of guys and they know how to play. They have been in some big-time games and we are not taking them lightly. We know we have to bring our 'A' game on Saturday."
San Diego State Sophomore Forward Lorrenzo Wade
On his current role with the Aztecs:
"I'm pretty comfortable coming off of the bench. I did it at Louisville. I'm just happy to be on the court, playing and winning games. These guys make it a little bit easier for me coming off of the bench. Most of the time when I come off the bench we have the lead in the game. It wasn't tough making the adjustment."