Nov. 18, 2014
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SAN DIEGO -
San Diego State Postgame Quotes
San Diego State head coach Steve Fisher (Radio)
On being 2-0 and the win:
"I've always been a glass half-filled guy and that's what I am now. We (the team) talked at halftime, `We have to rebound the ball'. I thought they had 10 offensive rebounds, the stat chart said eight, but we have to rebound the ball. You have to step the line, even if you close your eyes make a free throw. Rebound the ball, make a free throw. Our defense will win the game for us, don't worry about your offense, we'll have enough. And we had enough. Was it pretty? No. They are a grinding team also. They go hard they don't make it easy. You go in there and they have a seven footer, 6'9" and they make it hard for you to score around the basket. We do the same thing. If we play that hard all of the time and defend that well all of the time I know that we'll have better shooting nights then we did from the field. But when we had to make a basket we made a basket. For sure, when we needed to make a free throw we stepped through the line and made a free throw. We said two things, the top of our board was turnovers, we wanted to be 12 or under and we wanted them to be 16 or over and we checked off on that. The next was free throws, make more than they take. We make 18 they took 16, check plus on that. They were huge pieces to the game. We're a good team, they're a good team and sometimes it doesn't look pretty. As a coach you can appreciate how hard they played and how tough we were defensively as a team."
On the attitude and effort of the defense:
"We had deflection, but we missed multiple layups and multiple free throws. We would look like we were going to get a three point play and we would miss the layup then the free throw. I knew we would make enough shots if we maintained our defensive edge. We all wear our offense on our sleeve, if we play offense we seem to play better defense, and we cannot do that. We didn't do that, we guarded and they guarded. It was one of those games."
On defending Delon Wright:
"He's tough to play and a very talented player. He's a guard that has the ability to change gears and speeds. He gets into cracks and usually gets to the rim for five or six free throws, we made him take tough 2s and hard shots. When you do that, you have a good chance."
On J.J. O'Brien's "magnificent" performance:
"He really was, I've grown to expect that from him and to some degree we demand that of him. JJ has to assert himself a little more, he's so intelligent, unselfish, and team oriented that sometimes there has to be a little more, `Give me the ball' and he did what JJ can do. We're proud of him and many times you will see double digit rebounds and points."
On the audience turnout:
"We are so indebted to our crowd. It starts, but doesn't end, with our students. Our students have been spectacular. They're proud of this team. They're proud of the fact that they go to San Diego State and are a part of it. I happened to walk out just as they opened the gates for kids to come in and I saw them flying down to get the front row seats. We have a tough home court and our crowd is a huge piece of that. We need them to know that, how much we appreciate it, all of the fans. A lot of people probably called in sick or talked to the boss about taking a half day, but we have a really good crowd that was immensely supportive or our team. When we struggled to score they never let up. They kept going and bringing energy to us, then we helped bring some energy to them in return."
On Bakersfield and the win:
"You play to find a way to win. We can build on this. I know there will be teachable moments that come from today. We need to do a better job when we get into gaps and creases of shooting a floater and laying it high on the glass instead of lunging out of control. We'll get better at that. Our defense is a standard there and they shouldn't wait. We'll have days when we don't make shots, but we shouldn't have days when we don't communicate and play as hard as we can and as smart as we can defensively. We did that today against a very good team."
Closing remarks:
"We have a great love affair with this city and it's reciprocal. We love and care about our fans too, so thank you to them"
Steve Fisher (postgame presser)
Opening Statement:
"This is what we thought it would be like on the defensive end for both teams. I think both of us are capable of making more shots. I know the defense had a lot to do with 32 percent for both teams. If you're around long enough, you know that games have a feel about them and when you go to the NCAA tournament, you have to be a team that grinds out a win and plays possession by possession. That's the feel this game had. Utah is a good team. They're a team that will do well in their conference and a team that expects to go to the NCAA tournament. I thought we guarded them very effectively. We made it hard for them to get good easy looks. Sometimes you realize you're down ten with 46 seconds to go and you let it fly and some of them go in. We went from ten to two in a heartbeat. It happens everywhere. I wish it hadn't of happened tonight but it did. To our credit, I think we made nine out of ten free throws down the stretch and found a way to have enough offense to get a victory. We made it hard for them to score. They made it hard for us. They're big and have a defense somewhat like our own. This was a wonderful win for us. The further we go into the season, I think more people will say that they beat a really good Utah team because Utah is going to beat a lot of teams. Our crowd was great. Playing at home is a huge advantage and our crowd helped us immensely. They never let up when it looked like we were going to have ten points at the half. They cheered and we got a nice spirit to start the second half offensively which was created by our defense. It was a wonderful team win and I'm proud of all of them."
On Angelo Chol's six-straight points:
"When Angelo gets that ball in the low post, he looks like an offensive low post player. When he gets that left hand little jump-hook, I think fans are surprised when it doesn't go in. It's good to see. He's tough, physically strong and very athletic. He's going to be someone that will help us. He had some huge baskets for us."
On substituting players almost every timeout:
"I think last year we would substitute two or three at the TV timeouts but maybe not quite as often. Everybody asks what we're going to do with all these players. We're going to play them. Sometimes if you sub right before they think they're tired. I thought we did that today. It also gives Dakari Allen and others confidence that they're going to be in and play in meaningful situations early. I thought Winston (Shepard) was playing really well but after he got two fouls, I didn't want him to get a third. I was planning on putting him back in but I thought what we had was a pretty good flow. He played 17 minutes where normally he plays 27. He was just as happy for the team as anybody. I'm hopeful that we can continue that kind of substitution because I know it wears on your opponent. I know you're refreshed when you go back in. You're more able to get in the stance and guard."
On finding a well-defined offensive identity:
"I think we're going to be a team that can beat you in a lot of different ways. We could have five guys average in double figures and nobody average over 13. We may all of sudden have somebody that can't miss a shot whether that be (Dwayne) Polee, Trey Kell, or Winston (Shepard). Whoever it might be. We're a hard team to guard because we can give the ball to different people and they can be productive. A year ago, we were good when Xavier (Thames) had the ball in his hands. Everyone knew that. We wore Xavier out. He was exhausted at times but we didn't take him out. Now we can take people out and know we're going to get a guy coming in that can give us a boost. Our offense is better than our offense was last year. We're going to make more shots as we get going but we're a harder team to prepare for and guard the way we're playing right now."
On if today was representative of the team's offense:
"Today was representative (of our offense) and sometimes the ball didn't go in but part of that was Utah. They guard. They make it hard for you to score. Delon Wright was the defensive player of the year for the Pac-12. They have two seven-footers that go in there, raise their hands and are hard to score on just like when we put in Skylar (Spencer) and Angelo (Chol). Some people might say it was an ugly game but it wasn't. We're going to have to make more shots and we will. We had some good shots and some that looked like they were going to be good but they made hard for us. It's sometimes easier for the winning team to say that but I would have said that if we hadn't of won. We played hard and defended in a fashion that wins. We're going to make a lot more shots to be in every game we play. And hopefully we will win a lot of them."
On what he learned after today's game:
"It reinforced what I think about our team. We're hard-nosed and we compete. We are very good defensively and have multiple people we can bring in to guard the ball, not get screened, challenge shots and run the floor. It's what I expected I would see. Now we have to maintain that and stay with it. We've got to make sure we stay on edge when we get ahead by ten points or two."
On J.J. O'Brien:
"When the dust settles at the end of the season, J.J. (O'Brien) will probably have more minutes than anybody. Our thought right now is to substitute four guys and have J.J. stay (out on the court) and then he will be the next guy out at the next rotation. He's productive and knows how to play. He's in the best condition of his life. I learned he had one or two double-doubles last year and he got one today with 11 rebounds and 12 points. J.J. is a coaches' delight. If we would have won and he had played five minutes, he would have acted the same way. He's what you win with and we're thrilled that we have him here. He's good for this program and this university."
San Diego State Senior Guard Aqeel Quinn
On the lift from student section:
"When we were getting shots, Coach (Fisher) came into the huddle, and said we were on a 9-0 run; before that it was booming in there. We were trying to call switches, and I for sure could not hear the players on my team. It was definitely a boost of energy on the court."
On playing against former high school teammate Delon Wright:
"It was fun. We have been talking about this for a long time now. We were chittering and jabbering the whole game, guarding each other the whole game."
On their offensive identity:
"It's only the second game, people are still trying to figure out their roles; what they are good at on the floor. We are fairly new with each other, as far as the freshmen coming in, and Angelo playing with us. I think it is a comfort level, and knowing where everyone is going to be on the floor. Last year, we knew that X (Xavier Thames) was going to get the ball. This year, we know that multiple people are going to get the ball. With a couple more games under our belt, we will have an identity."
On Angelo Chol's performance:
"Angelo is a beast. In the post, he took over. He has that juke, with the shoulders and the left hook. That's unstoppable. I don't think anyone in the country can guard that move."
On substitutions and finding offensive rhythm:
"I don't think it's tough. I just think you need to take your open shot and make it. Coach gives us the confidence to take every shot, that's why you see so many guys taking. We just weren't making them tonight."
On Wright's offensive struggles:
"I was in his ear the whole game. He was frustrated, he won't show it. But I know that going 2-13 is not going to feel good, and I made sure he was going to know. If it wasn't for that foul on the three he would have had two points. I was just trying to make sure he did not score."
On Trey Kell:
"It's his first big game, first game against a ranked team. This type of environment is new for a freshman. I think he did real well, once he got that first burst out of him it was smooth, even keel."
On lessons learned from game:
"It was a tight game at the end, early in the season. We needed this game, to see how we were going to come together at the end. We came together, and JJ (O'Brien) specifically said, `Let's get this stop, fellas.' I think that was good for our confidence, to know that we can win the game down the stretch."
On halftime changes:
"I know Coach came in and said `Make your shot!' From us, we know we are a confident group. We just told each other, `We know we can do this, and let's come out and get this win.' That was the chatter amongst ourselves."
Senior Forward JJ O'Brien
On the win against No. 25 Utah:
"I think it was huge. Utah is a good team; they played real well today. But, I think it's a great confidence boost for our new group getting a solid win like that. And winning the way we did, we just had to grind it out and be tough, how we usually are. So it was huge for us."
On his second-half scoring burst and his mindset coming into the second half:
"I don't know, I just didn't want to lose. I think that was it pretty much. I didn't want to lose. I wanted to set the tempo coming out. That's what we want to do as a team. We played good defense in the first half, but we couldn't buy a basket in the first half or the second half. So, we were going to win with our energy and I wanted to start that off in the second half."
On the Aztecs' lack of scoring:
"This is how it is sometimes. We had games like this last year as well. We have had times like this in practice, too, where you can't buy a basket. No matter what set you run, it's not going in. You've got to give credit to Utah, they did a good job when we got in there keeping our hands and making us finish over them. We stayed true to our principles. We tried to get as many offensive rebounds and second chance points as we could. When the ball is not going in you have to win with your defense and that's what we do."
The offensive identity now:
"A little bit to be determined. I think that tonight wasn't a real showing of what our offense is. We have a real balanced offense. We can throw it in to Angelo (Chol), who can go four-for-six. We have a lot of guards who can score and run those pick-and-rolls. I think we have a much more balanced offense this year and this game, today, wasn't really telling of what it really is. In time, it will show itself. I think our offense is real balanced."
On Coach Steve Fisher's substitutions throughout the game:
"We are going to be cool with any substitution pattern he has. I don't know if that was the plan or not. It's just to show how deep we are. We are still seeing who will go out there, who's going to fill in a position and who's going to do this and that. I think a little bit of that (mindset) was in that decision to sub like that. We'll see if it continues here on out."
On hanging on to beat a top-25 team:
"It says a lot. It's been ingrained in our brains being here in this program. You have to play defense or you're not going to play. You can't let your offense affect your defense. Your offense can go up and down; make shots and not make shots. But one thing that can stay true is your effort and your defense. That's something that is in all of us. That showed tonight and shown in the past, too."
Beating his former school (Utah):
"It felt pretty good. I don't really have that attachment to them anymore because those weren't my coaches when I was there. None of the players (now) were there when I was there. I think the only person I knew was the trainer. It was great to play against them just because the fact that they're a great team. I felt it a little bit when they came in and I saw Trevor (trainer) and thought it was my old team. I was more excited that they were a top-25 team in our house."
Possibly being more relaxed after this big win:
"No, I don't think so. We could lose every game here on out and not make it. It's great that we got this win as a resume builder, but I think it's even greater for our confidence and how we feel about our team. We aren't going to relax. We have some really big games coming up and we have some tough road games this year. There's no time to relax."
Junior forward Angelo Chol
On playing in a high-intensity atmosphere:
"It was a great feeling. It's been so long since I've been out there actually playing. And to be able to feed off the crowd was a great feeling."
His mindset when game was tied:
"When we were coming out of the timeout, Coach said, `Be the difference maker, you have to go do something out there.' I took that to heart. I had to go do something, not just be out on the floor running suicides the whole time. You have to help out your team somehow."
On backing down taller defenders in the post:
"I'm real comfortable. I know if it's a bigger guy, I know I don't have to back him down. I can face him up. If it's a little guy, I can just back him down. I'm pretty comfortable in the post. We always work on it in practice with coach always working with us. Skylar (Spencer) is a good shot-blocker, so it helps a lot.
Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak
On the game:
"I was really pleased with our defense, but things got away from us offensively. If we're going to be ahead in one area, I want it to be guarding people. For the game it was at halftime - we might have set the game back as far as spectators and tv ratings, but both teams were good defensively, and it just got away from us when (SDSU's) offense was in front of their bench and they got a little sniff on the glass and we made a couple turnovers. That was kind of the turning point, but a lot of credit goes to (SDSU). They do what they do. We out-rebounded them by four and I would guess that doesn't happen very often. So as much as the offensive glass hurt us, that can be a weapon for us offensively and I thought Chris (Reyes) and Delon (Wright) did a heck of a job getting second shots. Obviously if we're not making shots, we need to go get some (points) off the glass. So there's something we can take away from this. I'll take the hit offensively. Without a doubt we're ahead of the curve defensively, but we're still trying to figure out some things offensively, and this was a good litmus test to see where we are to move forward."
On their play offensively:
"The whole key is making shots, and we struggled. I give credit to (SDSU's) defense, they did a nice job. They're long, so some of the open the open looks we're used to getting without the long arm of the law in front of us; I saw some late contests that threw us off a little bit. We had a little bit of post presence, but again, it was a grinder. If we went 10 minutes in the first half without a field goal, I wouldn't have thought that we would be ahead at halftime (by one). So we were doing enough things right, but I need to look at the film. Certainly their pressure (defense) that they're known for disrupted us. Whenever the scored, they got into their jump press, and that kind of disrupts you a little bit. That affected us and we tried to simulate that in practice, but you can't with the crowd, and I thought that had a little impact with the offensive production as well. It's good having this game under our belt, because we don't go to too many places with this type of environment. It's part of the learning process."
On if Delon Wright's lack of offense was due to an off day shooting or SDSU's defense:
"I think some of it was (SDSU's) defense. I told (Wright) he's got a large target on his chest. He's getting a lot of accolades and he's going to see some teams' best pitch. I know how we are when we get revved up and we're playing people who are considered really good players. I told (Wright) he's got to be a lot better than he was last year if he wants to get anything close to the same type of numbers It was the halfway point of the season (last year) before anybody knew who he was. Now it's no surprise. But he's all about the right things. He wasn't worried about his own production, he was engaged with us trying to win the game. That's encouraging to me knowing one of our better players didn't have a great night."
Utah senior guard Delon Wright
On them struggling offensively early on:
"Our defense was good. We held them to 17 or 18 points at halftime. On offense we just couldn't get things rolling. The basket was tight for everybody and it was honestly just one of those nights. "
On rally at end of game:
"That was good. I feel like we can take this to our next game. When we watch film we'll see that no one quit on the team and everybody believed that we could come back and win. It just didn't turn out that way."
On younger players stepping up:
"The veterans didn't play as well as we should have, but our younger guys stepped up and played well. They hit some shots and grabbed some rebounds."
On the Aztec defense:
"Yes, they did a good job contesting and playing good defense. It was just a tough night for us."
On the environment:
"It was loud. We have places like this (in the Pac-12), but it won't be like that everywhere we go and we just have to deal with it."
On if he feels like he is playing with a bull's eye on his back:
"Not really. I feel like I just have to play well for my team win. I'm not worried about others coming after me. I just feel like I need to play better for my team to win. "
On not shooting well:
"If I'm not scoring I'm always trying to do something else so I don't just pride myself on one side of the ball."
On playing against his high school friend Aqeel Quinn:
"It was fun at first just being out there with him. After the first two minutes I forgot that we were friends and we were just going after each other."