Postgame Quotes From No. 1/3 Ohio State vs. Valparaiso – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 2, 2006
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Postgame Press Conference
Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach
On Greg Oden playing his first game as a Buckeye
He had his tests yesterday morning and we were waiting on the results. Greg would be first to tell you he’s not back to where he’s gong to be. But the work our doctors have done to get him this point is amazing. Alan Major has kept him driven, which doesn’t take a lot with Greg, but Greg and Alan would stay every night after practice 40 minutes and work.
“Honestly I was just happy for Greg. I know how hard it’s been on him. I was out recruiting last night and got the call. I knew there was a chance Greg would be ready to go.
“So much of it is the testing and timing of it. Thursday was the six-week period from when the screw was removed. We said all along that as bad as Greg and I wanted him to play, we needed to do the right thing. He’s got a tremendous future ahead of him as well as this team. Today was about getting him back into the flow. Honesey, I was shocked at his condition, which shows you the work he’s done to get ready.
“I didn’t know he’d get double-double. I didn’t know if he would be able to grasp the rebounds coming off, but that didn’t seem to be a problem. The guys did a good job getting him the ball.”
On his team
“The thing I’m excited about is that we have a week to prepare for our next game so we have some more time to prepare and get better.”
Greg Oden, Ohio State freshman center
On playing his first collegiate game
“It felt really good. It was a slow game and I was just out there having fun with my teammates. I’ve been working on getting into condition. I’ve been practicing a left-handed jump shot. All I can do is play defense and block shots. Coach just talked about the game with me and I just started feeling more comfortable and tried to relax.”
On getting used to the game
“I just needed to calm down with my teammates and get in the flow. I have to adjust to what they’re doing. I’m the one who is going onto the court to play with them. I felt good when everyone (in the crowd) started cheering for me off the bench. But this is only one game and we have a lot more games to go. It’s a team effort.”
On the anticipation of playing
I had jitters two days ago when there was a possibility I could play. I’m just doing what I can and if my wrist hurts, I won’t do it again. Dr. Fisher told me under no circumstances should I dive, or fall – and if I fall, to keep my hands up and bang my head.”
Daequan Cook, Ohio State freshman guard
On teammate Greg Oden
“Greg hasn’t been practicing with us so it took a while for the team to adjust to each other. We fed the post before, so it was just getting him the ball and have him get used to playing. That is what we did. It was nice knowing that we had Greg on our side. He has the ability to do excellent things.”
Homer Drew, Valparaiso head coach
On Greg Oden
“You people here in Columbus are in for a real treat. Oden comes in and in 23 minutes gets a double-double. That is amazing. We got a chance to see him when we were recruiting (Valpo point guard) Brandon (McPherson).”
On the game
“I thought we played pretty well there in the beginning. Then after Greg (Oden) came in the momentum changed and they really got after us on the full court press.”
On Ohio State
“They are a very well balanced team. They shoot the three very well. Sometimes when you have this much talent it is hard to keep everyone happy but coach (Thad) Matta has done a great job getting all of them to work together.”
