March 5, 2007
SAN DIEGO - SDSU Men's/Women's Basketball
Press Conference Quotes
Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl
SDSU Women's Basketball Head Coach Beth Burns
Opening comments:
"We're excited for the opportunity that we have in front of us. I think it's a testament to the depth and the talent level of our league that our No. 6 seed (UNLV) is playing someone (New Mexico) that they have beaten and ourselves at the seventh seed, we have an opportunity to play (Wyoming) that we have beaten. I think that from a confidence standpoint, that's huge. We've had some success. We've beaten five of the eight (other) teams in the league. For us to have a matchup against (Wyoming) that, in our minds, we had success against will help us as we prepare for Wednesday's game."
On the recent play of junior transfer Shannon Clay:
"We felt that when we signed her, she'd be our best scorer. She hasn't disappointed in that respect, but she missed two months of the season and missed out on the entire teaching component. That's where we still have some breakdowns. We'll never know what might have been had she played during the non-conference season. But without question, she can score and she can rebound. She's gained confidence and played really well against a good New Mexico team and a potential (conference) player of the year in Dionne Marsh."
On the loss of junior transfer Jennifer Layton:
"She was the only forward who could go out and guard the perimeter, so we had to change our whole defensive scheme. When people get hurt, you do what you have to do.
"That's been our challenge. Whether it's Lauren Hoisington or Erin Jackson or Shannon Clay, they have to guard (inside). That poses some problems with Wyoming, which probably runs the purest motion offense in our league. Their starting center (Justyna Podziemska) made seven 3-pointers last Saturday against Utah. It's a tough guard for our big kids this week."
On junior captain Shanna Demus:
"Shanna's our leader, our defensive quarterback. I can put her on anyone and she will shut them down. We don't usually have that luxury, because we have lots of good players, so we oftentimes put her on someone who isn't very strong, so she can help people who aren't as talented... Without question, she covers a lot of people's mistakes. When it's hard for us to score, she helps us manufacture points with the things that she does defensively, and it's made a lot of people better. She's had a fantastic season. I can't even think about how good she's going to be next year."
On the team's progress this year:
"We've done lots of things that we've never done... We've elevated ourselves to the point where our opponents are no longer happy to see us coming. We've been in every game. It doesn't mean every game has been a close game, but we've been able to compete in every game."
SDSU Men's Basketball Head Coach Steve Fisher
Opening comments:
"I think this is the time of year that every college coach and basketball player gets excited for. It is what we refer to as the proverbial third season, postseason play. Like most teams, we're in a situation where we think we have a body of work that has a chance to get us someplace after Saturday. But we want to be playing in the NCAA Tournament and to do that we need to win three games (in the MWC Tournament). That's our goal. We are very capable as are four or five other teams in our league. So, it'll provide for a very exciting Mountain West Conference tournament, and our hope is to play the best that we can possibly play and as hard and smart as we can play. None of us are anxious to see our season end. That's our goal and that's the goal of every team going there. I think realistically we can say that we're pretty good and can win. Now we have to back up talk with activity."
On whether he thinks the team has to win three games this week for an NCAA bid:
"We're going to go in like we need to win three games. If we don't, then we're going to hope that we've done enough that we're on the drawing board someplace, somewhere."
On if last year's NCAA bid has redefined what it means for the team to have success:
"What we have tried to do is continually raise expectations, and we've done that--first for ourselves, and then for others. Then you compete and play as hard as you can and get ready for the next one rather than dwelling too much on what just happened or what might happen a week from now. We want to win a conference championship. We want to go the NCAA Tournament, which is the goal of every good program.
"I think that if you don't get to your ultimate prize, it's an initial disappointment, but then you move on. For instance--and I don't like to do that--let say's we don't make the NCAA Tournament, hopefully we'll make the NIT. If we make the NIT, hopefully we'll win some games. But we're hoping that we can go to Las Vegas and play and win. It can happen and we all know that. I don't think that we're pie in the sky when we say that. It won't be easy; I'm smart enough to know that."
On Colorado State center Jason Smith:
"He's on a bit of a high; he had 29 points and 22 rebounds against Wyoming and I think he had 16-17 (points) and 12 (rebounds) against UNLV. We're going to continue to do what we've done before and that is a pretty good job on him. Not at the expense of three other guys going off for career numbers on that day, but we can't give him easy shots. He got a couple against us in the last game on an out-of-bounds play, a dunk, and offensive rebounds and put-backs. We have to make him earn points. I think if we do that, then we'll have a chance."
On if he was surprised at how wide open the MWC race was this year:
"I think what happened was that there were some significant non-conference wins that got recognition for the league (in terms of) RPI. You get (a certain rating) and you don't lose it. It stays with you. Air Force probably did more for the league than anybody early when they had all those wins. UNLV had a big win at Nevada, beat Minnesota and beat somebody else, and I think that enhances the league. I watch TV, too. I tell our players don't pay any attention to what others are saying, because most of them don't know. But I heard yesterday that BYU and UNLV were projected to be fourth or fifth seeds (in the NCAA Tournament). I don't think we've ever had that in this league. Air Force has lost three in a row, and they were the only team that was consistently ranked in the top 20 all season. So it's a better league; there's no question about that."
Senior guard Brandon Heath
On whether he is motivated by the fact the team's next loss could be his last game:
"I'm very motivated. I don't want my season to end one game into the tournament. We have a team that can make a run in the MWC Tournament and win it. Every game we play what coach likes to say controlled desperation with our backs against the wall. We're going to come out and practice hard and play together, stay together, and hopefully it will be a positive result for us. Like coach said, our goal is to win three games in a row and not leave it up to the committee and get a guaranteed bid to the (NCAA) tournament."
On the MWC tournament:
"It's wide open for anybody to win. Anybody can get hot right now and put together three wins and win the tournament. But we're not really worried anybody else right now; we have to take care of ourselves and play Aztec basketball."
On if he feels slighted that his team has not received much talk about an at-large NCAA bid:
"No. Like coach said, BYU and UNLV had big wins in the preseason, and they deserve what they're getting. They've earned it and I wish them the best."
Senior forward Mohamed Abukar
On possibly having to win three games to receive an NCAA bid:
"We have to take it one game at a time. We have to go out win against Colorado State on Thursday. If we take care of business on Thursday, then we'll have to take care of business on Friday and then the same on Saturday. If we go in thinking that we have to win the whole thing, we're not going to be able to focus in on the task at hand. So we're just thinking about Colorado State right now."
On having experience heading into the MWC Tournament:
"We're a veteran team; we've been there before. We definitely know what it takes to win it. We did it last year. If we go in there and focus on the things we need to focus on, we should be fine. We've played all these teams before. We're not going to be surprised at what we see. So as long as we take care of our business, we should be good."
Sophomore forward Lorrenzo Wade
On Colorado State:
"They're a very big team. With Jason Smith and Stuart Creason in the post, it makes it very difficult on the defensive end, especially doubling, because they can see out of the double team. Also, a guy like Stephan Gilling can knock down 3-pointers. It's a tough task to guard them. On the offensive end, (Smith and Creason) can alter a lot of shots."
On the keys to success against Colorado State:
"We would definitely like to control the tempo. Jason Smith is very athletic; he gets up and down the court very well."