The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Post Game Quotes
12.13.2011 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 13, 2011
Recap | Final Stats | Notes |
TEXAS COACH QUOTES
HEAD COACH Rick Barnes
On the improvement of Sterling Gibbs and Jaylen Bond: I've said all along from the first day of practice to where he is now that Sterling has improved the most. For a couple weeks, he really struggled. Jaylen started our first two scrimmage games. But, the more we got into execution, that's where he really started struggling. He's getting better with that. Once you learn where you're supposed to be, you can play out of it.
On the importance of a young team continuing to improve: I think the best teams have balance. As a coach, do you rely on certain guys at certain times? Yes. But you want to see improvement and I do think the key for our team is going to still be the development of the young guys. That's where we're going to get better.
On the "preparation" part of the season: It is over. I told them that the best team we've played this year (Temple) is coming in here Saturday. They're a tough, hard-nosed, really good basketball team. From here on out, there is no doubt that we're not just going to show up and think we're going to win basketball games. We're going to have to earn them from here on out.
On how the two losses have helped the team: I'm disappointed in the two losses. I didn't think we competed in the Oregon State game. We didn't deserve to win and we did deserve to hurt after that game because we didn't put anything in it. The N.C. State game maybe helped us in hindsight because when J'Covan (Brown) left the game with eight minutes to go, we didn't play, but we showed some fight at the end of that game even when we let it get away from us a little.
TEXAS PLAYER QUOTES
FRESHMAN GUARD Sterling Gibbs:
On getting more comfortable with the offense: It's coming along well. I'm just studying the playbook and going over it every day. The coaches are making me feel comfortable. I think earlier in the season I was really tense. I made a lot of mistakes. Now, when I come out and play, I know that I know the mistakes I've made are in the past. So, I might as well just play the game.
On the six-game winning streak heading into Saturday's game: It feels really good. We're definitely going into a big game with the game Saturday against Temple. We know we have a big test ahead of us. But, we're just trying to get better as a team. We're trying to get ready for conference play, where the big tests start.
FRESHMAN FORWARD Jaylen Bond:
On his effort on defense: I'm trying to play better defense. I'm trying to work on defense, offense, whatever I can do to help my team out. Now I'm trying to play better defense all the time.
On both he and freshman guard Sterling Gibbs having big games on the same night: Yeah, I think it is a coincidence that we both played well on the same night, being as close as we are. I think it's so good for both of us.
On how it felt to have his first big game: It was good for me to play well in this game. I've just got to come out hard every game and be aggressive. I need to play well on offense and play hard on defense. I just try to come in every game with the same mindset to play hard. Tonight, it worked out for me.
NICHOLLS STATE QUOTES
HEAD COACH J.P. PIPER
Opening Statement: I was pleased with the start we got off to. We had to extend way more energy to stay with them tonight. Their will to guard us in the second half was a little greater than it was in the first half, which made it difficult for us to answer to them on the boards. I don't know if you guys were aware, but we have played two games in two days and spent a lot of time on the bus. I was disappointed that we got fatigued against a superior team, but I was pleased as well.
On rather the loss was a result of the poor shooting or of Texas' defense: I thought we executed well in spots despite the pressure. We just did not have anything in us to put the shot in the hole. We countered the pressure by attacking the rim but we don't see shot blockers at our level with that ability. If we have one of those on our team - which we don't - we could be a different team. I give credit to Texas with the obvious difference in the second half, in terms of defending. That group has a chance to be a really good defensive team if they want to be.