Men’s Basketball Media Day Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oct. 12, 2006
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Coach Thad Matta
On the make-up of the 2006-07 team
“We have a tremendous challenge ahead of us because we are so young. We have four guys returning. We are in a unique situation. We have a lot of new guys and a short time to figure out what we can and can’t do without sacrificing teaching the fundamentals.”
On preparing younger players
“You always want them to get a feel for college basketball. I have the challenge of molding them and teaching them the system. That is one of the reasons we do not let them talk to the media until they have played in at least one game.”
On the versatility of the team
“We have a lot of guys that can play different positions. We have guys that have a good feel for how to play the game of basketball. Our numbers are low and we will have to be careful of injuries, but we have good versatility. We need everyone on this team and we need everyone to know their role.”
On Matt Terwilliger
“If we played tomorrow he would most likely be our center. He had a great summer and he stepped up and made some plays for us in the last couple games of the season. He can step out and shoot the ball and his post game has gotten better. Hopefully his all-around game will continue to improve.”
On integrating the team
“Our upper classmen have done a great job working with our younger guys, teaching them how we do things. Our motto has always been that we don’t care who gets the credit. There has been no word more emphasized so far this year than `team.'”
On coaching a team with such potential
“People can not comprehend the amount of pressure we, as coaches, put on ourselves. I don’t know what to expect from this team yet. We will work as hard as we can to mold this team in the right direction.”
On team goals
“We want to improve defensively. We need our guys to understand what we are going to do defensively and know the type of intensity we are going to play with. Most of our freshmen are coming from high school teams that were up by 14 points at the end of the first quarter and that won’t happen here.”
On Greg Oden
“Greg is tired of being injured right now and he is frustrated. We do things and he can only participate in so much before he has to step off the court. We are doing our best to incorporate him into the team. I have been really impressed with his basketball intellect and how well he has picked up on things.”
Ron Lewis, senior guard
On the hype for the 2006-07 season…
“The fans on campus show a lot of love and support to us by coming to the games. It’s going to be a great season because we’ve been working hard. Our game will be the same style and chemistry as last year because we don’t have depth on the team.”
On the freshman class…
“The freshmen listen and respect us. The hype around their class makes us excited and willing to help prepare them for what to expect. The freshmen came ready to learn and without big heads. We have a lot of young people so I have to be a leader and talk to them and the returners on the court.”
Ivan Harris, senior forward
On the 2006-07 team…
“I’m going to play wherever I fit in the program and wherever the coaches need me. I worked on ball handling and defense this summer. As a leader, I need the mindset of a leader. I talk a lot in practice and try to make the right decisions so the new guys can follow my footsteps.”
On the freshman class…
“The freshmen have adapted and fit into our program well. The chemistry is already there. We need to stay focused and mature with the new guys.”
Jamar Butler, junior guard
On the young team
“The upperclassmen have a lot of responsibility. We have to be tough, keep driving and get through. The freshmen are really good. They are some of the best I’ve ever seen. From the first day we were really close. We all knew them and they knew us. We have a strong team bond.”
On the team’s goals
“The first day we met as a team, Coach showed us a packet with Final Four information. He told us if we want to be there we have to work hard. So we came upstairs and had a workout.”
Matt Terwilliger, junior center/forward
On the freshmen
“They have been doing a great job so far. We’ve taken them under our wing. I’d say we are pretty much as close if not closer than last year – and we were really close last year.
On playing tough games
“You can’t wait for these games. They are why you sign to go to college; they are why you play basketball. They will be a challenge, but it doesn’t get much better than that.”
On other winning Buckeye teams
“It gives us pride to see our other sports doing well. It makes us feel responsible to do as well and I think we can. It just shows how much support the city has for Ohio State.”
