Hoop Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 7, 2000
George Reese
“The Big Ten Tournament is ahead of us. That is what we have to concentrate on right now. We have to be ready to play three games in three days. We can’t look ahead to the NCAA Tournament.”
“Our seeding in the NCAA Tournament doesn’t matter right now. Our job is to go out and play in the Big Ten Tournament.”
“Earning the Big Ten Tournament with the No. 1 seed is a great achievement. We will only have to play three games and we will get more time in between games, that will give us more time to rest and prepare for the next game.”
“We are preparing to play either Michigan or Penn State. Both teams are extremely tough. We have played Penn State twice already and both games were close.”
“Winning the Big Ten Championship is a great honor. Last year we surprised some teams, but this year we were expected to be at the top of the conference. To actually go out and accomplish one of your preseason goals is a great feeling.”
Jim O’Brien
Reactions to the all-Big Ten team selections
“I am very happy for Scoonie, Michael, Kenny and George. All are well deserved. I am especially happy for George (picked as a third team all-Big Ten selection), because not many people really talked about him before. But he deserved it. He has been great all year and I am very proud of him. It is a great honor for all these guys.”
On upcoming opponent (Michigan or Penn State) at the Big Ten Tournament
“We beat both of them in the regular season. Against Penn State we struggled, but against Michigan we had one of our best games of the season. Now in the Big Ten Tournament, anything can happen. We have to be ready for both.”
“We really can’t work on one thing that Michigan is going to do, because we don’t know if we will play them. So we try to work on our stuff. Things that may come up against Penn State or Michigan and work on those general situations.”
On the team’s mental freshness
“Now in this stretch of the schedule, we worry about these guys mental and physical freshness. We had a very good practice today. Everybody was alert and sharp. But we are taking precautions and giving them tomorrow off. This week comes at a good time, because it allows these guys to get some rest.”
On making it to the championship game
“Everybody is talking about what might happen if we go all the way and I know you guys are sick of me saying this but we can only play the first game. We do not look ahead, because you can easily get burned. We are not concerned about the seeds. We take every part of our schedule in sections and concentrate on that section. The regular season is over, so now we have moved on to the tournament part of our schedule. Winning the tournament is our goal, however, we must concentrate on each game at hand to be able to go all the way.”
“These guys are very confident in their play right now. But they are also very realistic and know that if they do not play well, the can easily lose. They must play good defense and offense to win not matter what. As far as close games, they can feel good, because we have had a lot this year and they have been successful.”
On the Bench
“Will Dudley is giving us great minutes, Brent Darby is making key three-pointers for us and Cobe (Ocokoljic) has been strong from the inside. All of these guys have been great for us coming off the bench this year. Of course, teams that have a strong bench are going to have the edge in a tournament where you can play up to four games in four days.
“It is a lot to ask of guys to play such a tough schedule. No question they are tired and need time to recharge their batteries. A strong bench gives you the edge and can get you to the tournament game.”
Scoonie Penn
“Our goal is to win the Big Ten Tournament, but we know we can not look ahead to our Saturday opponent on Friday. It is a tough schedule and anyone can beat you. We are going in and playing one game at a time.”
“I do feel run down, but every team does. But it comes down to the team that has that extra something that can carry you through it.”
Ken Johnson on being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
“It is very gratifying and especially rewarding. Coach O’Brien always told me that hard work pays off and here is an example. I really worked hard to get to this level and now it is just nice to be honored in such a way. I can take this with me and it will always be a part of me at Ohio State.”
