Basketball Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/5/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 5, 2001
On the win over Minnesota
“I am just really happy with our effort Saturday in Minnesota,” O’Brien said. “It is a good start for us. If we are to have any chance to get into postseason play we have to win some games on the road. Now, we have a tough game Wednesday at Iowa.”
Standings in the Big Ten and winning games this week
“It is not just this week but with every game through the end of the season,” O’Brien said. “Every batch of games there is a potential for adjustments in the standings. From No. 4 through 10, anytime anyone wins or losses it affects everyone in the league.”
On OSU junior Doylan Robinson and his return to the lineup
“The concern is first conditioning and second his awareness and knowledge of what we are doing,” O’Brien said. “I don’t think he totally knows what we are doing on offense. On defense, we could put him in for a couple minutes to guard someone, which is a good thing. It has been such a long time without him being involved, we just can’t throw him in. We look forward to the opportunity to get him back in the action. There is room for him to still help us toward the end of the season.”
Ken Johnson and nearing the Big Ten record for career blocked shots
“It is a nice thing for all of us. Ken has played no small role in helping us on the defensive end,” O’Brien said. “His ability to block shots is just remarkable. Should he attain the record it is a very significant accomplishment. For him to establish himself as the all time leader is a good thing.”
What Illinois has to do vs. Michigan State this week
“There is a simple formula but it is easier said than done,” O’Brien said. “You have got to get Michigan State in the halfcourt on defense. If you can do that you can have a chance. There is no defense if you are not back in transition. The way to get back on defense is to be efficient on offense. You have to rebound. If you don’t give them rebound baskets or breakout baskets it gives you a better chance to beat them.”
On Iowa’s Reggie Evans and his average of a double-double
“Who does that in college basketball today–not very many guys,” O’Brien said. “He is a load. He is a man. He is physical. He is like Dennis Rodman in the mentality when it comes to rebounding. The mentality that if there is a missed shot it is going to be his. That is unique in this day in age.”
