Jan. 2, 2007
SAN DIEGO - SDSU Men's Basketball
Weekly Press Conference
Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl
San Diego State Head Coach Steve Fisher
On finishing up non-conference play:
"As I think all of us do, you break a season down into different sections, and we say the first season is non-conference. Now we're heading into maybe the most important part, at least it's the most important because it's on us now, and that's conference. And we were good, I'll say good, in our non-conference, as was Wyoming. But now nobody cares what you did in non-conference. We're coming in here thinking we're the best team, and Wyoming's coming in here thinking they're the best team. So we're excited about conference play. It is what we thought it would be, better than last year. Our league is better top to bottom than it was last year. Some of the teams are getting great recognition along that line because of who they've played and who they've beaten. But I do think that this will be a really tough league to win at either home or away. Even though it's harder on the road, you have to play well no matter where you are to have a chance to win. So I'm excited about our team and the prospects for the Wyoming game, but I'm nervous because they're good."
On the development of Brandon Heath during his four years at San Diego State:
"Brandon has had the kind of metamorphosis that a lot of kids have had whether they're athletes or not. But not many are as well-documented as his. When he came in as a freshman, he thought he was better than he was. And he wanted to shoot (the ball) every time he got it. He made some big shots for us. But Brandon was a guy who would say some things under his breath if you told him he wasn't doing something right, and I nicknamed him "Mumbles." It stuck for about three years. It took him that long. But now he laughs when he tells that story. He still thinks he's does most things right. That's what makes him good. But Brandon has gone from just a basketball player who could score to a basketball player who leads. He's our captain, and he leads not only by example, he's also not afraid to lead vocally. He's the consummate gym rat, but he is also a guy who is so proud. He's turned into what employers look for in people who they're going to hire. He has grown. He thinks a lot of himself. He thinks he's good at what he does. He brings a lot of value to an organization. He's going to make those around him better because he is going to outwork you. If you're not doing your job, he'll pass you up. He's been a great success story for us, and he's going to be a guy who we will talk about for a long time at San Diego State. "
On how Brandon Heath has changed since he was a freshman:
"I think the first thing that stands out is physical appearance. He was very wiry but not strong. He's been committed to the weight room. If you look at him now, he's cut and he's strong. And that's helped every part of his game. He was a guy who tried to shoot every time he got the ball. He forced a lot of things offensively, some good, some not so good. His ball skills were suspect at best as a freshman. He was a catch-shoot player, a one-dribble guy. If he had to take more than one dribble, he'd struggle with it. And now he's just grown in that regard. I think that, like most players, when you become a senior your understanding of how to play is so much better. And he's had that."
On why he thinks the conference is better this year:
"The key returning players on teams (is the reason the conference is better). You just look at the people who we play tomorrow night, for example, (Brandon) Ewing and (Brad) Jones. They were as good of a guard tandem as there was in the league last year at the end of the year, Ewing as a freshman and Jones a sophomore transfer. They were very, very difficult to stop and contain. And right now, Ewing is the leading scorer in the league and Jones is not too far behind him. They are really, really good at what they do and they've been around the block. Last year was the first time they made those road swings, so they're a lot better prepared. Air Force has four guys who started last year, and now they bring (Nick) Welch back and so on. I think the experience in the league bringing back not just players who've played, but really good players. And we've added some quality too. Lon Kruger's son (Kevin) is the most important new player in the league from what I've seen. With the impact that he's had at UNLV, it's no surprise that they're playing as well as they are. But the whole league is good; it's very, very good."
On his thoughts about Bob Knight getting his 880th win on Monday:
"You sit back and marvel about how many wins that is, then you look at the fact that he was a head coach at 24 and has gone from the `60s through now. I was a high school coach when he was getting started, and he had the books out about playing defense and the motion offense that every high school coach in America bought. And he's still doing it. He's done a phenomenal job and doing it in a fashion that not many could. So many of us try to imitate rather than just take things we like about guys. But you can't be who he is and what he's done. He's a friend of mine, and I'm pleased for him. I've contributed to those 880 wins more than I would like to take credit for. I, as all of the coaches in America, would salute him for the excellence that he's had and the longevity that he's had."
On Brandon Heath returning for his senior season rather than enter the NBA Draft:
"All of us like to have good things said about us, and Brandon is no exception. All of the street urchins and people coming out of the woodwork are going to tell you what you want to hear. And I'm sure he heard a lot of that. Yet Brandon was realistic as he went and played and trusting enough in those that he believed in who were not going to sell him down the river or tell him what was in their best interests and he listened. But I think when Brandon put his name in, he was leaning towards coming back unless something out of the ordinary happened. It just reinforced what I said and what others said that it was in his best interest to come back."
San Diego State Senior Guard Brandon Heath
On approaching the San Diego State all-time scoring record:
"It would be nice to do it at home, but at this point it is not what I am thinking about right now. The most important thing right now is winning games."
On his biggest improvement since his freshman year:
"I think the mental aspect of the game (has been the biggest improvement). I think I am a lot stronger mentally. The game is being played at a much slower pace to me now versus when I was a freshman, I tried to do everything at 100 miles per hour. Now I let things come to me a little bit more than I did when I was younger. The game changes as you get older. You play the game for so long and the game gets a lot easier. You are able to outthink your opponent more than just being physically talented or more talented than the next guy. It comes with age."
On the importance of guard play versus the backcourt of Wyoming:
"Guard play is very important tomorrow night. Guarding ball screens will definitely be another key to it. They have great guards in Brandon Ewing and Brad Jones, but we cant disrespect any other players that they have. We know it is going to be a dogfight. We played them three times last year and every game was a dogfight. I know they remember the last game we played in the Mountain West Conference Tournament. (It) went to overtime and we won that game. They probably feel that they got cheated at their house when we won on a last minute shot and Trimaine Davis knocked down a free throw to win that (game). We know they are going to come in here ready to play hungry. We also know we were picked number one (in the conference) so that also puts a bullseye on our back. We will be well prepared and ready to play tomorrow night."
On if as a freshman he thought would ever be within striking distance of the all-time scoring record:
"It wasn't on my mind, but now that it is here it is great. It is a great feeling. Like I said, it is not important right now. As long as we win games the individual accolades will come along with it. Right now my focus is winning."
On what brought him back to SDSU for his senior season:
"It was a lot of things, the Indiana game (in the NCAA tournament) was one (of them). I didn't want to leave on that note. I wanted a chance to play with the great guys we have here and all around I think it was the best decision for me. I'm happy I came back. I think it is one of the best decisions I have ever made as a player and as a person. I'm just glad to be here."
San Diego State Senior Forward Mohamed Abukar
On Brandon Heath approaching the all-time scoring record:
"I know Brandon wants to win. I know this record is important to him, but I know that winning is important to him as well. It is important to all of us that he gets that (the record), but it is also important that we win this game. It is a huge game for us to start conference (play). It is a way for us to get the ball rolling."
On the improved Mountain West Conference:
"I think as a whole, the conference has gotten a lot stronger this year. I think all the teams are playing better than they were last year. I think all the teams are, for the most part, older than they were last year. Everybody is playing well right now so we know coming in that everybody is talented, everybody is going to play and everybody is going to give you a fight every game."