March 16, 2009
NCAA Post-Selection Media Quotes
Cox Arena
San Diego State head coach Beth Burns
On waiting for SDSU's placement in the bracket:
"We had a good resume, but things happen. We know that there is only one front door way to do what we did. I wouldn't tell you that we didn't have a great opportunity, but before our name came up, it took a while. It was a little bit stressful; I'll give you that. I feel we had earned it, but that doesn't always happen.
On playing the first round at home:
"To be able to play at home against an obviously great DePaul team that tied for fourth in the Big East, it will be a great opportunity. I know San Diego and I know San Diego will be here. I think our opportunity is that we're going to ask our fans, 'Calling all Aztecs. Come show the NCAA that we want to have this tournament here early and often.'"
On DePaul:
"They're pretty balanced. Their leading scorers are on the perimeter. They have four people in double figure (points), were 12-6 in the Big East I believe, and they took Pitt to the wire in the Big East tournament. I did get to see that game as well. They have good size, they have 6-3, 6-4 (players) inside and they have great perimeter shooting. I know they're a very good team, so I think we should have a great match up.
On SDSU's seed for the tournament:
"I think it's a fair seed. I think that if we had won on Saturday, they may have been able to play us up to the 8-9 range. I don't know anyone in America who wants to be in the 8-9 range, because of what's behind door No. 2. I thought it would be anywhere from 8 to 11, but I think it's a fair seed, and a great opportunity to play a good DePaul team on our home floor. (It's a) great opportunity, (we're) thrilled with our seed."
On SDSU men's basketball team not getting an NCAA bid:
"Well, first, I'm sick for them. What I told my team when we lost to Utah on Saturday, (is that) No. 2 is the most painful spot of all. When you get that close to where you can see it and taste it, it really hurts and I think, by virtue of who they played, played themselves in a position where they had a great opportunity. Frankly for me when I saw Utah on that five line, I thought they were going to get in. But with us, I think it was a different story. We had great top 50 wins, we had road wins, we went 7-1 our second round of conference, five of them being on the road. We did everything they say you have to do to get yourself included in the field.
San Diego State Sophomore Center Paris Johnson
On home court advantage:
"It's been working towards our favor. We're 14-0 on our home court and just playing our first game as an NCAA tournament team. What more could you ask for? We're going to be playing in front of our fans on our home court, which is going to be great."