March 5, 2011
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SAN DIEGO -
No. 9 SDSU-Colorado State Postgame Quotes in PDF Format
San Diego State Head Coach Steve Fisher
(from the postgame interview on AM 600 KOGO)
Opening statement:
"This is the hard work of all of us, I mean that sincerely. To have the chance to win a championship doesn't happen very often. A conference championship twice in a row is special. A lot of people had the opportunity to go out tonight on a high note. I am very, very proud and appreciative of everyone who had something to do with this program. To all the Aztecs fans that made this possible, this truly is a moment to remember. This is a moment they will have forever. Ten years from now looking back, that's theirs. It's a moment that all of us will cherish." (from the postgame press conference)
On the game:
"On behalf of D.J. and Billy, we are representing our team and in particular our five seniors. We are all very proud of this moment and the opportunity to say that we're champions. That's not trite, that's not a cliche, that's from the heart, from all of us. It doesn't happen often. No matter how many games you win, winning a championship does not happen often and to say we've done that, it will be with us forever.
"This is a special moment for all of San Diego State, but in particular, our five seniors, our basketball team, and the people involved in the program. We could not be more proud of how they have handled themselves, how they found ways to be successful, how they've done it with a smile on their faces, and never with an agenda, and that's why we've won. The only thing we care about is winning, and we've won a lot and this feels very good. ... I know that they have to have, over a four-year career, more wins than any player in the history of San Diego State over their careers. They've earned it, deserved it, and have grown as our program has grown."
San Diego State Senior Guard D.J. Gay
On his sense of accomplishment with winning the conference championship:
"Before the season we all set goals as a team, and this is something that we can check off of our check list--winning this league championship. It's been a great season, it's been a magical one so far but we all know that it's not over yet. So we take this in and enjoy the moment but tomorrow comes and it's on to the tournament."
On playing for Coach Fisher:
"He's been a great coach for us, but he's been a better advocate and person off the court. It's not just all basketball, it's life and preparing for what's to come ahead. Sometimes players might feel uncomfortable going to the coach and talking about certain things but he's a man that you can go to and talk about anything--basketball and off the court issues. He always has a door open, is always willing to listen and gives great advice."
On what it has been like to see the program grow:
"It's not just pride for me, but it's pride for this program to have 100 wins in four years--it says a lot. Not just about me and our players but about this program as a whole. About how this program has continued to grow year after year from being out our first year in the first round of the NIT to make it to the semifinals (sophomore year) and then to the NCAAs being out in the first round and (now) getting another opportunity to go there. It's just showing year after year how this program is taking one step forward and not just taking a step back or staying the same. So I think it's been something special for all of us and the school."
San Diego State Senior Forward Billy White
On his feelings about winning the conference championship:
"I'm just excited. Just to go out in my senior year, in my last home game here and share it with the people I love. This is my family. It's been a hard four years here and I'm just glad that me, D.J., B.C., Malcolm and Mehdi can just go out here with our last game and just play in front of the people that we love playing for. Just bringing this home and having this win in our building is just amazing."
On playing for Coach Fisher:
"It's amazing. He is just a great guy to play for. He's always honest and just tells you how he feels--and he always cares about you. I'm just glad to play for a person like that."
Colorado State Head Coach Tim Miles
On the game:
"I think the physicality of the game hurt us in terms of (the fact that) we didn't finish shots on the inside the way we can (which is) to their credit. They are quicker than gas tonight. They looked good to me with the exception of 3-point shooting. Look at our turnovers. We had 15 turnovers that they turned into 25 points. You can't let them run offense off of your offense. San Diego State did that tonight."
On rushing the court:
"They deserved to rush the court. I mean the conference championship is pretty cool stuff. Coach Fisher and his staff have done a phenomenal job. They had confetti ready to roll and everything. Maybe someday we can get that going in Fort Collins."
On Kawhi Leonard:
"I thought we were good early. I really thought they had a great sustained defensive effort. Kawhi (Leonard), I thought, was as good as I've ever seen him. He seemed like he was quicker and more aggressive and just handled the ball better and all those things that I've seen previously."
On SDSU:
"They are really good. You really have to make shots. You have to make threes. Then you have to be really good on the glass and really good on your interior defense. I'd play them again, but it would have to be on Saturday. That'd be fun." Colorado State Forward Andy Ogide
On the second half:
"They feed off of turnovers and we turned over the ball too much. That turns into points for them when you do things like that against a team like this and they are going to kill you."
On SDSU:
"They're a really good team. They're athletic. They're a really great rebounding team. A lot of teams can't match up with them in those aspects. They had great season and I'm sure they will do well in the NCAA Tournament as well."