Postgame Quotes From Ohio State vs. Findlay – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/6/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 6, 2005
Recap | Box Score
Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach
On the game
“This was a great test for us. Give Findlay credit, they are well coached. Initially, I was shocked at our lack of intensity. We weren’t competing at the level I expected, but we did a better job in the second half at being active defensively. I am looking forward to practice tomorrow so we can get better.”
On establishing depth
“It is important to establish some depth early in the season. It is what you use these games for. I wasn’t real concerned about having guys in and out often. I wanted to get those young guys some minutes. We can continue to build on that.”
On the offense
“Getting out and running is what we like to do. Our guards fit well in that style. We have to get better in the half-court offense, but that will come. We still have two weeks to work on that. We got some steals and easy baskets, which is what we want.”
Terence Dials, senior center
On the 2nd half
“We ran a lot more in the second half because we played a lot better defense. You can’t get fast break points unless you get stops and our goal this year is to be a running team. We saw a glimpse of that in the second half.”
On turnovers
“We have to take better care of the ball. I’m guilty for a couple of those. We want to run so bad that sometimes we make poor decisions but we have to take care of the ball first. We have some weaknesses right now but that’s why you practice and play exhibitions.”
J.J. Sullinger, senior forward
On his improvement
“I think it just comes from being in the system. I’ve been with Coach (Thad) Matta for a year now and I’m learning more and more of what it takes to become a complete player. He always emphasizes in practice to get in the gaps and seams and I tried to do that today. I just try to play hard.” On the first half
“The first half was ugly. They out-toughed us in the first half and out-worked us. At half time we talked about going out and getting back to the basics and just playing harder.”
Ron Lewis, junior guard
On up-tempo pace
“We want to run and we really tried to do that, especially in the second half. We know we need to get a lot better, but we did some good things today.”
Ron Niekamp, Findlay Head Coach
On Ohio State’s performance in the game
“I felt we did get their respect in the first half. After a slow start, we competed with them. In the second half, they controlled everything and we struggled.”
On Ohio State’s second half control
“Their backcourt guys really pressured us and forced us to play on a 94-foot court. They were more athletic.”
On Ohio State individual players
“We had no answer for (Terence) Dials down low. The one person who really impressed me was (J.J.) Sullinger. He is just very aggressive getting in passing lanes and was very physical. Looking at the stats, I see Ron Lewis had a quiet 20 points, but that is just the kind of player he is.”
