University of Memphis Athletics
Postgame Quotes
Feb 02, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Recap | Box Score | Notes
Tulsa (12-10, 5-3) 68, Memphis (16-6, 5-3) 65
February 2, 2011
FedExForum (Memphis, Tenn.)
Memphis Postgame Quotes
Memphis Head Coach Josh Pastner
Opening Statement
We had 17 turnovers, and they had 16 offensive rebounds, and that right there is 33 extra possessions, and that's the difference in the ball game. They had some second chances at some key times, and our errors were unforced. We had guys with four turnovers and things like that, and that is hard. We had too many turnovers and too many give away possessions. Unforced errors are the most aggravating thing. It would be different if the other team was pressing and we were throwing it all over the court, but they are just unforced errors. I think it's one of those things where we are not valuing the basketball. We just have to value the basketball.
It's a tough loss and it stinks. Tulsa deserves the credit to the win the game. As I told the guys after the game, there is still a lot to play for. We have Gonzaga on Saturday, and like it or not, we still control our own destiny. We still play the three teams that are in the top of the league race. If we can find a way to win out, in the second half of the league schedule, we will be 13-3, and I still believe that would win the league. Are we still capable of doing that? Absolutely! Is it hard to do that? Absolutely! We have to dig in and still have a lot to play for. We will have to get back to practice tomorrow and get after it and take on Gonzaga.
Was the questionable call at the end of the game reviewable?
It was not a correctable error, but those things happen as a part of the game. That's not the reason we lost. We were down three earlier with 30 some odd seconds to go and I told Chris (Crawford) we were going to run a play, and he shot a three. I didn't want him to shoot a three because I wanted us to go for two. We were going to run a high ball screen and look for him to turn the corner, but he shot the three. Those are things that we have to get better on.
I thought Chris Crawford did a marvelous job defensively on (Justin) Hurtt. He made a couple of tough shots near the end, but that's why he is a senior and a really good player, but Chris Crawford did a great job on him. (Chris) gave us great minutes on the defensive end.
Again, we had a great look at the end. Antonio (Barton) had a great look from three point range on the steal and Will Barton had a look as well. We just missed those, but that happens. Tulsa beat us because we gave away 33 possessions. That's the bottom line. We had 17 turnovers, and they had 16 offensive rebounds.
Tulsa Head Coach Doug Wojcik
Opening Remarks
There are a lot of heroes in that (Tulsa) locker room right now. Steven Idlet turned his ankle yesterday in practice and played like a champ today. Justin Hurtt, I've been on him about leadership, and he is the only guy to come in here and beat Memphis, phenomenal.
(It was a) happy homecoming for Tim Peete, being a Central High (Memphis, Tenn.) graduate. Kids grow up here, and there is pressure to be a Memphis Tiger. He came to Tulsa, and we are just really happy for his family. We came back and shot free throws great. We win a game shooting 33, 34 percent on the road, with my leading scorer going four for 18. That says a lot about our defense.
About the impact of Tulsa free throws
Big take off from here. It is what it is. We are fortunate people. We were lucky to get here Monday night and set up camp here (in Memphis), and that is what we are going to do tomorrow until everything gets cleared up at home.
We are just really excited for our fans. It has been a long time coming. About overcoming Memphis' 10 point lead and aggression
We just kept at it with the defense. We forced them into 17 turnovers, and that is a big stat. They (had) 17 turnovers versus our 11, and I thought that other (Tulsa) guys stepped up. Getting to the free throw line was really big for us, and I thought that Jordan Clarkson was big for us there.
