University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis vs. Drexel Post Game Quotes
Dec 22, 2008 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2008
Recap | Final Stats
Drexel Associate Head Coach Mike Connors
For your first game leading the team, this was a tough test. What was it like?
"Well, it was exciting to play in this type of environment against a team like Memphis that is just outstanding, with a great coach. It was just a great environment. I'm disappointed in some of our performances, but as far as coming in here to Memphis, it was a great experience."
How big of a role did Memphis's athleticism play in this game?
"Well, you saw it. I mean, they're long across the board starting with their point guard at 6'8 and then from there they aren't shrinking. Guys coming off the bench are just as big and probably their smallest guy matches up with our biggest offensive guard. Their size and athleticism is incredible. You don't realize it until you're right there on the floor and you're going against it. It just disrupts so much of your offensive schemes. It's really tough to get a great, open look.
How important is Tramayne Hawthorne's shooting going forward?
"I thought Tray did well. I mean, that's the way the kid can shoot. And we've been waiting for it all season. He showed it today, you know, if you can come in and put those kind of numbers up against Memphis, then he can do that against the rest of the teams we're playing this year. So, he was a bright spot."
Memphis Head Coach John Calipari
You know what's amazing is I coached like I did the first couple of years here. I coached like I did my first four years at UMASS. I accepted nothing but an unbelievable effort, and I told them about it. This is like what we need. I don't want to coach that way, but I will. I'll do whatever I have to do. It's tiring, and I'm so tired right now.
A lack of effort, a loose ball here a third offensive rebound in a row; it's all been acceptable and we lose the game, and then we act like it's somebody else. Well that's going to stop. That's why I did what I did today. Today's noon game was all about intensity. I liked Tyreke (Evans) at point guard, but it's just so early because I liked Wesley (Witherspoon) at point guard. It's just like we're trying to figure things out. Pierre (Henderson-Niles) took a step back and Matt Simpkins took a step forward. (Robert) Dozier is just kind of there. Antonio (Anderson) took a big step forward. If I can get Roburt Sallie playing the right way, he's going to help us.
What's it going to take to get them to communicate more?
What's happened is I've had to do it. I'm on the court. When I first got here, that's what I had to do because I couldn't get that leadership. This is what this team needs. It's tiring though, and I'd rather coach like I did a year ago. If they think it's acceptable, that's what they do. If you demand a lot, you get a lot. If you accept mediocrity, which is what I've been accepting, that's what you get every time.
