Nov. 19, 2009
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery 1 | Photo Gallery 2
SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher
Opening Statment:
"This (game) was what we hoped we would have, starting with the effort. You give yourself an opportunity to win when you play hard and we played very, very hard. In my opinion, Billy White was a catalyst to get it started with the front end of the press and the way he ran the floor. I think that helped energize everyone. We moved the ball and when we got open looks we made them, which was different than Monday night (at Saint Mary's).
"Kevin Foster, (Santa Clara's) best player who averages 20 points per game, takes 20 shots per game, wasn't there and didn't play. That had to have an impact on what they do. However, what we did was disrupt any set play they wanted to run. They are a set play team and we disrupted them to the point where they were able to run very few set plays.
"We needed the game, and more importantly, we needed a game where we played hard and we got the win. It was good for us. Hopefully we make our second road trip and be better prepared when we go to Fresno (State) and Pacific."
On the team gelling together:
"We need a lot more on-court practice time. It's nice to have Billy (White) be able to practice with a group of guys he is going to be playing with. That probably had an impact on how he played. We need to get more practice time, that will help us as much as anything. Then we need to get the taste of winning games. That always feels good, it gives you confidence. We have a lot of work to do, a lot of work to do. But hopefully we can do it, scratch out some wins and get better as we do it."
On playing its next two games on the road:
"I'm anxious to see how we play on the road. We stunk it up at Saint Mary's, but trust me when I say this, Saint Mary's is very, very good. They won't always shoot that well, but they're very good. We'll have tests at Fresno (State) and Pacific. I'm anxious to see if we played a little more like we did here and less like we did up (at Saint Mary's)."
On the resignation earlier of SDSU Director of Athletics Jeff Schemmel:
"Jeff Schemmel is a good friend, he and Lori are both good friends. I feel very badly. They've done a lot as a team for San Diego State and they will be missed immensely by all of of us, especially the Fisher's."
San Diego State junior Billy White
On the game:
"We played bad on Monday (at Saint Mary's). We made some mistakes on Monday. We came back on Tuesday, practiced and we had a game on Thursday and we wanted to get a win. So we came out here and played hard and played defense like we're supposed to. We want to be a defensive team. We know we can score so that sets the tone for defense. That's what happened tonight and we got the win because of defense.
"Tonight we came out with a lot of energy and just ready to go. It should be like that all the time. We learned from our mistakes from Monday. We don't want a loss like (at Saint Mary's). This game is over and we're going to get back in the gym and get ready for Fresno State (on Monday)."
San Diego State senior Kelvin Davis
On Billy White and himself in the starting lineup:
"We don't really ask questions, it's the coaches' decision. You can put anybody in from our bench onto the starting roster and it's the same San Diego State team, the same defense, so it doesn't matter. We go 10 to 11 deep and everybody is good in their own way. Everybody goes hard on defense and gives 100 percent. Regardless if you're starting or not starting, everybody goes hard."
On San Diego State's early second-half run:
"As a player, it's a great thing because everybody goes on runs and you're hoping that run is not on you. And it just so happen that run was on our side. We practice it everyday; playing hard on defense."
Santa Clara head coach Kerry Keating
Opening Statement:
"No matter what kind of team we have, (Viejas Arena) is still a tough place to play. Coach (Fisher) has done a great job of developing the program here; they have won a lot of games, now 52 out of their last 61, or something of that nature. Obviously they are a very experienced, very talented team. They are very athletic and very big; it was going to be a difficult go no matter what, but we are excited we had a chance to get them at our event. We really wanted to get this game because we have got some more tough games on our schedule and we have got a young team that's going through a lot of growing pains by virtue of our lack of experience."
On the flow of Santa Clara's offense during the game:
"I think (San Diego State's) athleticism and their pressure will tend to speed you up if you let it. Robert (Smith) is going to go through his share of growing pains as a freshman point guard as well. He's extremely athletic, and can play with anybody in the country from that standpoint, but he's learning the intricacies of the game as we go along. We are throwing him through a fire and that's going to pay huge dividends for us in the future, but every game is going to be a learning experience for us. We had to start two freshmen in the backcourt and had a third freshman starting at the third guard spot, due to the shortcomings in our roster tonight, and that's hard to do at any level."
On the play of Billy White:
"He is a heck of a player. I remember watching him in high school. He has unbelievable length and athleticism, he's got a pro body, and he's got a great future ahead of him, as do a lot of his teammates. He's a problem for anybody, at any level, against anyone, anywhere. There is a reason why he's a preseason all-conference first-team (choice) and he's a guy you're going to hear a lot about not only in college basketball, but basketball in general for years to come."