Dec. 4, 2010
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SDSU-Wichita State Postgame Quotes in PDF Format
San Diego State Head Coach Steve Fisher
Opening Statement:
"We fought hard. The run in the second half all predicated on guarding. Defensively, we were sensational during that stretch, and we were able to keep the run going because we we didn't turn the ball over or foul. The run gave us a 17-point lead and then we hung on. Wichita (State) got the lead down to eight points late in the game and would not go away, but good teams hang on and win like we did."
On the 14-0 run in the second half:
"It has to be as good of a five-minute stretch as we have had this year. We were everywhere. I told them in the locker room that everyone contributed in that run in the second half. It appeared as if Billy (White) had a twin out there at the same time. It was like he was two places at once."
On homecourt advantage:
"We have a phenomenal home court led by our students. They are having a college experience that not many kids get to have. They are so important to us. Tonight, there were several thousand strong and they provided the type of environment you win with."
San Diego State Forward Billy White
On the big run in the second half:
"I was just thinking about a "W." We didn't want to lose, I know my team and we're competitive. We came out flat in the first half and weren't playing like we were supposed to. Coach came in at halftime and told us to step it up. That's what we did, we came down and just guarded. Our defense controlled the game."
On gameplanning for Wichita State:
"We just focused on defense - 3-point defense. We know they like to take a lot of quick threes. In the first half, we didn't defend as well. In the second half, we slowed it down a bit and started playing San Diego State defense. That's how we got the key win."
San Diego State Guard D.J. Gay
On Wichita State:
"This team came out with no fear. Us being ranked and 7-0, that meant nothing to them. We knew that was going to happen. They matched us in the first half. It took us a while to adjust to their play. We came out in the second half and made them play our game, which sparked our runs. It gave us the energy to come out with the win."
Wichita State Head Coach Gregg Marshall
Opening Statement:
"First of all, that's a very good basketball team. I've seen a lot of good basketball teams, and that's a team that I think is going to finally win in the NCAA tournament and should win multiple games. I like their team a lot. I told Coach Fisher that going into the game. We were in pretty good shape and were playing well early in the second half. The spurt that they went on was because for several reasons that I can recall. We charged in transition. We turned it over. We made a subsitution with the point guard, and that point guard turned it over back-to-back times. They beat us in transition. They beat us on the boards. They were quicker with the ball. They were tougher with the ball. We certainly have a lot of things that we can work on to get better, but I was impressed with their quickness, size and ability to go over and around us to get to the loose balls and rebounds."
On SDSU:
"They are a very good team. When I went through the line, I mentioned to a couple of them that hopefully they will get to the tournament and win multiple games this year. That's a Sweet 16, Elite Eight type team if they get the right draw, get a couple of breaks and stay healthy. They're dynamite. Their front line, in particular, is really, really good. They were better than us tonight. They got around us, they got over us, they were quicker faster and longer it seems. We have to figure out a way to get stronger, tougher, rebound the ball better and retrieve the ball better. I thought they outrebounded us by more than nine, and I thought we had more than 13 turnovers."
On playing in a game like this:
"I'm not sure we will see any teams better than that in our league. I haven't seen the teams in our league, but I don't anticipate anyone being better than this team. They have 12,000 people. It's a great atmosphere and loud. They should be excited about their team. Coach (Fisher) has done a wonderful job accumulating talent and making that talent play consistent. Obviously in his 12th year, he's built a very fine ball club and a very fine program."
Wichita State Guard Graham Hatch
On SDSU:
"They are a very athletic, long team. Tonight, they were definitely superior than us. We're capable of matching that athleticism. Tonight it was clicking for them. We weren't used to facing that team of athleticism. It's our first road game, but I don't want to make excuses. They were definitely the better team tonight."