Post Game Quotes From Ohio State vs. Team Nike – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2002
Recap| Box Score
Head coach Jim O’Brien Quotes
“It (the exhibition game) served its purpose. We did some good things early in the game. We wanted to make an effort to give our guys an opportunity to play. Our big guys had some opportunities in and around the basket, but they (Team Nike) were strong so they hurt us close to the basket.
“We wanted to have a balance of in-and-out (offense). We just did not finish. I wanted us to have the opportunities and scoring will come. We wanted to run the court. I thought we had a chance to blow it open early, but we subbed, so I knew that wasn’t going to happen.
On the Ohio State big men
“There are a lot of question marks but I think these guys will be better than most think.
On the Ohio State backcourt
“They played a two-three zone and a simple man-to-man (defense). We did not do too much defensively, but we just wanted to get our guys involved.
On the next exhibition vs. the Harlem Globetrotters Nov. 22
“The Harlem Globetrotters may be the best team we play all year. Three out of the next four games (Harlem Globetrotters, Alabama, Duke) are against exceptional teams.”
Senior guard Brent Darby
“We have a lot of experience on the inside and we have some on the outside. It is going to be tough to match up against us when we all work together.”
Senior guard Sean Connolly
“We have just been beating up on each other for the past couple of weeks, so it is good to finally get into a game-situation.”
“It’s a good start to come away with a win. We played well, but we still have a lot to work on. We have to do a better job of getting the ball inside to our big men, but overall we played well. We have the Globetrotters coming up in a few weeks. They are very good, so we have to prepare ourselves.” Sophomore guard Brandon Fuss-Cheatham
“I am much more confident this year. Coming into this season, Coach (Jim O’Brien) told me I was a player out there he needed. He started me today and I think I proved myself. I think this was a game that proves my role as a point guard on this team.”
