Dec. 1, 2009
SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State Head Coach Steve Fisher
Opening statement:
"We are preparing for what has turned out to be a very exciting, challenging, eventful game between San Diego State and the University of San Diego. I think what has now happened is that both teams have circled that game as one of the most important games of the season. Not one team, but both teams. I know we have and I am positive that they have."
On San Diego:
"We're both 4-2, but they're playing a little bit better and I'm not surprised. You might be. I don't think Bill Grier is. They have two fifth-year seniors in Brandon Johnson, who was injured (at Viejas Arena) last year, and (Chris) Lewis, who are starters. De'Jon Jackson is a fourth-year starter for them, who may be the glue to the team. They bring in another senior off the bench. They have a veteran ballclub and Bill Grier and his staff have done a great job with that team at this early stage of the season. As I watch their tape, I am very, very impressed with them."
On San Diego State:
"Our team right now, I think we are a little bit better as a result of the road swing to Fresno State and Pacific. We had some blemishes exposed in both of those games, even though we won one, and we were better served when we came back home and practiced on Friday after Thanksgiving and played very good basketball against Northern Arizona. Hopefully we play that way (on Wednesday)."
On the SDSU-USD game is a big game:
"We're in the same city as the University of San Diego. Our kids either knew one another, have gotten to know one another, have an opportunity to mingle, both in the offseason socially and they have played in other another's venues. From that standpoint, that's a part of it. When it's this close, you're both talked about in the same newspaper. ... You want to be perceived to have a leg up from winning this year's game."
On the team and its new players:
"I have had teams before where freshmen or new people have come in and fit together fairly quickly. Sometimes it takes awhile. I've said this before, nobody cares other than me. We've had injuries; we've had different things that have prevented us from practicing for 30 straight practices with all of our pieces. We're getting closer to that. Tim Shelton is the only one, it appears as if, who won't be playing (on Wednesday). I think that has been a part of our dilemma.
"We have some pretty nice pieces as you look at them. We have not been able to put the picture or puzzle together quite the way you hope it can be as you move further down the road. And that is what every coach has to deal with."