Men’s Basketball Press Conference Quotes – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2007
Thad Matta, head coach
On playing Tennessee and the game’s comparison to the Ohio State vs. North Carolina match up
“Both teams want to play fast. I think Tennessee’s up-tempo style is a little bit reminiscent of North Carolina. North Carolina was looking to throw the ball inside and Tennessee is more of a perimeter shooting team. We played a team in VMI that was very similar to that style. VMI was getting up and down and trying to force as many turnovers as they could. We like to play that way, as well. Tomorrow should be a high possession, high-tempo type game.”
On Tennessee’s junior guard Chris Lofton
“Chris is obviously a prolific scorer who has the ability to shoot the three and get to the foul line. He has a lot of ways he can score. I’m not really certain there is a way you can stop him. You can make him take tough shots, but he seems to make those too.”
On what Ohio State needs to improve during the season
“We are constantly striving for a consistent effort. We have to have a better understanding and appreciation of situations and what is going on around us. If a team goes on a run, we have to buckle down and make the next stop or get a score. Consistency is the biggest thing I’m looking for right now.”
On Mike Conley Jr.’s play so far
“Mike has been solid for us all year. I could not be happier for him to come in and take hold and run this basketball team. He has done a great job for us.”
On Greg Oden building his endurance and opponents trying to tire him out
“Greg is getting better every day. That is something we’ve seen a lot of teams trying to do. He doesn’t fear that. Greg is able to stay in the pace in the game. (Duke) Crews and (Wayne) Chism can go as well. It will be exciting to see.”
On the media attention toward Greg Oden
“Greg has been phenomenal with it. He pretty much has dealt with it during the last three years. He is an even keel young man. He would prefer the attention was on his teammates, but he is level headed and knows it comes with the territory.”
On Greg Oden adapting to shooting with is left hand
“I think it says a lot about who he is. I have seen guys get injured and shut down. Greg is in there every day working to get his wrist better. He looks at it as a blessing he has had time to develop it.”
On Ohio State’s fan support
“Our fans have been off the chart in support of our team. Attendance is at its highest and that’s exciting for us.”
Mike Conley Jr., freshman guard
On Ohio State’s performance during the Wisconsin game
“We did not play particularly well throughout the game. We got together afterwards and we did think the last four minutes were the best we ever played. We need to let the game come to us and not worry about trying to score 100 points.”
On Tennessee
“They definitely are a physical team that puts pressure on the guards. We just need to get the ball up and down the court.”
On the losses to North Carolina, Florida and Wisconsin
“We were right there with those teams. There are definitely no excuses for the losses, but playing these teams makes us better at the same time.”
Greg Oden, freshman center
On trying to get the ball more
“I feel I need to fight more to get better positions and make it easier for the guards. I just need to step up and handle the pressure better.”
On Ohio State’s three losses to the Top 3 teams in the nation
“They were very good teams, but we had a breakdown in those games. With Wisconsin we kept fighting and had a chance to take the game into overtime. We just need to keep fighting and not have those kinds of breakdowns.”
On playing a Top 25 team at home
“I hope we can take that and get a victory against a Top 25 team this season.”
On the difference between playing in high school and playing in college
“I’m going to get beat up no matter what, so it’s all the same to me. In college, bigger guys are beating me up, but I need to step up and fight through and hit those shots.”
On Tennessee
“They can shoot and (Duke) Crews is athletic. He can just drive to the basket and dunk and (Ryan) Childress can shoot lights out.”
