Quotes From The Ohio State Men’s Baskteball Team – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/5/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 5, 1999
Jim O’Brien
On the first game of the season
“It will be fun. It will be very exciting for Neshaun Coleman, who is playing for One World. It is especially neat for him, because he gets the chance to play in front of his home crowd. My only worry is he does give them a nice scouting report on us.”
“We want to know where we stand. It helps to play against some different faces and look at how we match against different defensive schemes. We also want to see how well we are working together and what we need to develop on to improve. It is very hard to measure a team when they are going against each other in practice.”
“I don’t know if we are ready to play, but we need to be playing in this game. They are getting tired of the same routine, the same kind of practices. If you can change it up for these guys it gets them ready even more for the regular season.”
On Ohio State Injuries
“Some guys are banged up, but nothing earth shattering that is going to stop someone from playing. Just things that are typical in early practices, some guys have little aches and pains, but nothing major.
On concerns
“It is too early, but I will say that I am most concern about our rebounding and free throw shooting. There seems to be too many days where we are not as good as we need to be. We are also not big. That is my biggest concern, we have to do a better job rebounding.”
Ken Johnson
“We are definitely excited to be going up against some fresh meat. Everybody is pumped. We just want to go out there and play our game.”
“I will have to play even harder this year and really step up in getting more rebounds. I have to be more active under the boards and lead the team.”
“Neshaun Coleman is now on the opposite team and we have to treat him like the opponent. We have to go out and play hard and stay focused to get the win. It will be fun, though to see him again.”
“It is about time that we have a game. We are ready to go up against some different faces. It is a nice feeling knowing the season is beginning.”
Scoonie Penn
“We have worked hard and are ready for tomorrow. We want to go and see how our chemistry is working. That is our biggest goal right now.
“Two areas we want to improve on is the free throw shooting and rebounding. We need to get these guys to rebound in the game.That will be the test of our team. The free throwing shooting is just mental. I know we can be one of the best in the Big Ten, but we have to relax and make the shot. We will get there, but it will take time.”
Michael Redd
“It is going to be very strange for Neshaun being in front of this crowd and being such a Buckeye. I am very happy and excited to go up against him.”
“I really have to step it up this year in rebounding. We can’t just rely on Ken Johnson to get under the boards, it has to be a team effort. I know I have to make a difference there and will be a threat this season.”
“On paper we are a better team than last season, but it remains to be seen. We will find out tomorrow. We will get to see our weak points and work on those before the season begins. “
“I know my leadership role as a co-captain. I know I have to step it up and make a difference on the court. I was once a freshmen and knows how it feels to be that small fish in a big pond. But that is where I come in and make sure they are getting adjusted to this system. All of them have done a very good job and I am excited to play with them tomorrow.”
