University of Memphis Athletics
Post-Game Quotes
Dec 09, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 9, 2009
Recap | Final Stats | Notes
Montana State Head Coach Brad Huse
Postgame Quotes
What was your game plan coming into the game?
"We just wanted to try and control the tempo. Their defensive pressure makes it very difficult to control tempo. If you look at what they have given up this year, the most they have given up is 67. We tried to control the tempo the best we could, and we had some bright spots. Overall, they are pretty athletic and you could tell."
Was the athleticism and size of Memphis players the key factor in this game?
"I think that was a big part of it because it is hard to hang with them defensively. We were pretty happy to get to 51 points. They make it really hard to get good looks at the basket because of their length and discipline. They translate the pressure into fast breaks and baskets around the rim."
What were you able to do in the second half to score more points in the second half?
"The first five minutes and the last five minutes of the second half we had some good stretches and we were able to cut the lead down to single digits. They are hard to hold down, and they go on runs so quickly. You struggle to get a four or five nothing run and then they answer with a 10 nothing run in a matter of minutes. Memphis is explosive and it is hard to keep them away from the free throw line."
What do you take away from this game going into league play?
"They expose your weaknesses. I did think we did a pretty good job against their pressure, but we had some pretty sloppy turnovers. Some of our turnovers they didn't force, and we have to correct that. We have to be prepared to play on the road in a tough environment during league play."
Memphis Head Coach
Josh Pastner
Opening Statement
"A win is a win, and winning is always good. Winning is hard, and I've said that in the beginning. No matter who you play, winning is hard. You can't have spots where you're playing lethargic. We came out in the first five minutes and played well, but the first five minutes of the second half we were nowhere to be found. That can't happen. We could maybe get away with it against a team or two, but you play against good teams and you can't do that. Saturday is a road game playing Arkansas-Little Rock and that will be tough for us. You do that against a team on their home floor, it's going to be tough to beat (them) when you play like that."
"D.J. (Stephens) did a nice job overall. He came into the game and gave us a good energy; he gave us a good spark. He's been like that all year long. I'm proud of D.J. He came in and gave us good minutes
For the most part, guys came in and played well. I thought that Roburt Sallie's line was great. Eight points, seven rebounds, seven assists, only one turnover, shot 50 percent field. Doneal Mack didn't shoot it really well, but did well defensively. So again, there were some things we need to get better on. Willie (Kemp), bless his heart, again he was good, but four assists to four turnovers, so that's something he needs to do better on, and he was 1-of-6 at the free throw line. He's got to be better at that as well too. "
"Wesley (Witherspoon) played really well. His line tonight he had 13 (points) and eight (rebounds). He was solid, plus two blocks. So he came in and really played well. I told him in the locker room that's how he practiced the last couple of days. He practiced like that so he played like that, and that's how it needs to be the entire time. How you practice is how you play. There's no secret about it.
I thought Pierre (Henderson-Niles) played really well. Defensively you look at his line, he had eight points, eight rebounds, three blocks. He was solid and he guarded in the perimeter. I was proud of Pierre. He played a really, really good game. I was proud of him. It didn't matter who he guarded, he guarded out there. He's got real nimble feet.
