Post Game Quotes From Ohio State vs. Coppin State – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 25, 2002
Recap| Box Score| Notes
Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien
“Tonight was a tough win against a very difficult style of play. We had three guys play 40 minutes. I thought Matt played well. This was not an easy game. It would not be fair if I didn’t give them (Coppin State) credit.”
“Our guys did a good job being patient. Every possession was critical and they (Coppin State) are a very tough team to guard. We knew (Larry) Tucker was going to be a tough guy to guard.”
“Zach (Williams) was very animated as to (Larry) Tucker not scoring. The job he did in the second half was critical. They only shot 38 percent (from the field) in the second half and that had a lot to do with how Zach played.”
“We’re all over the place (from an injury standpoint). I can’t remember the last time I had anyone play 40 minutes, let alone three guys. I felt going in that we were going to have to grind this game out.”
OSU guard Sean Connolly
On the first half:
“They (Coppin State) held the ball out a lot. We had to get good shots to stay ahead and come out with a win. We were glad to get the win in a low-scoring game.”
On playing 40 minutes without Brandon Fuss-Cheatham and Shun Jenkins:
“They really help our team and we hope they are back soon. (Coach O’Brien) hasn’t really said if we are going to have to fill those minutes. It will be tough playing (Alabama and Duke) without them.”
OSU forward Zach Williams
On the score of the game:
“It was a close game and we tried to control the tempo. They (Coppin State) are a tough team to play against. The offense dictated the game and we just have to be happy with a win. Good teams make themselves win and we made good plays when we had to. We found a way to win.”
On Brandon Fuss-Cheatham and Shun Jenkins missing tonight:
“They are definitely two guys that contribute to our success, but we went on and got the win.”
OSU guard Brent Darby
On the tough game:
“It was a tough game. This is the same team (Coppin State) that played Marquette last week. They shot 70 percent in the first half and held the ball for almost 30 seconds every possession. They slowed things down and we just had to adjust.”
On the absence of fellow OSU guard Brandon Fuss-Cheatam:
“We definitely felt his absence. We have been preparing all season with me at the two-guard, so this was an adjustment tonight. I had to take the job of getting the other guys involved.”
On playing all 40 minutes of the game:
“This is my senior year and I’m going to play 40 minutes in every game if it means getting a win. I just have to keep focused and stay in the game.”
On the advantage of playing a close game at the beginning of the season:
“It was a tough win. The season is a long one and it is a good experience to pull out a close game like this. It helps us early in the season and will help us prepare for Alabama later this week.”
OSU guard Emonte Jernigan
On his first game as a Buckeye:
“I just wanted to come in and help the team out anyway I could. I wanted to play solid in my first real game.”
On Coppin State:
“You have to give them credit. They are a good team to play against.”
On making the crucial shot late in the game:
“We were down one and the team had confidence in me to knock down that shot. I think anyone on the team could knock down that shot. It felt good to step up and make such a significant shot.”
Coppin State head coach Ron “Fang” Mitchell
“I know that when you play Ohio State, you are going up against a well-coached team. You always play to put yourself in a position to win, and we did. We had some turnovers and some breakdowns at the end. That is what happens when you have young players.”
