Postgame Quotes: Ohio State 77, Florida State 64 – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
No. 15/15 Ohio State 77 (6-1), No. 21/RV Florida State 64 (6-2)
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Dec. 2, 2009
Value City Arena
Columbus, Ohio
Attendance: 13,514
POSTGAME QUOTES
Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach
On preparing for tonight’s game
“We wanted to play our way tonight. When watching films we couldn’t find someone who had played our way against Florida State University. We forced them to play our game. The first half we really started off with a great ball game.”
On the Big Ten ACC Challenge
“The Big Ten and the ACC are both great conferences. The challenge is a very unique situation. We are excited about winning it this year. I’m proud of our guys tonight. It’s only December 2and we have already played three top teams, start to a strong year.”
On Jeremie Simmons’ play tonight
“He was tremendous tonight. He was banking shots down. They guarded Jon (Diebler) hard the second half which left Jeremie open and let Evan get down low.”
On the cold start tonight
“No one got a run in the beginning. Both teams started out flat. We were waiting for FSU to go on a long run against us but the never did. Jon’s threes were big tonight.”
On the experience of the team
“You can’t teach experience to a team. You try to simulate with practice and drills but out on the court with the crowd yelling it’s a different environment. They’re much more confident this year and it shows.”
On David Lighty’s performance
“He is a fierce competitor. In the locker room after the game you could tell he left everyone on the court tonight. That’s how David always plays. He loves competition.”
Evan Turner, junior guard
On the team’s defensive performance
“Our defense was definitely key tonight. We made it so Florida State had no rhythm. One thing is our intensity carried over from the last game to tonight. It’s our job to make them feel uncomfortable. That is key to what we do.”
On if the game was emotional or not
“Definitely. We were really pumped for the game. One thing that stood out was our students. They came to the game ready and were loud the whole night. They brought a lot of intensity and emotion and it carried over to us.”
Jon Diebler, junior guard
On being the clinching game and win for the Big Ten in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge
“It was big. But we were just worried about the game we had tonight. We saw on film how Florida State came back from being down a lot against Marquette earlier in the week. So we were just focused on the game. But it is definitely big to win.”
On how the team is benefiting from having more veterans on the team than usual
“Absolutely we are benefiting. It helps in tight games for sure and with we know how to handle comebacks better. Now that we have years under our belt and knowing game type situations better, a lot of guys can create and make shots. We are only get better as the season goes on.”
Leonard Hamilton, Florida State head coach
On Ohio State guard Evan Turner
“Evan Turner reminds me a lot of Oscar Robertson. He’s a big guy playing the point. He’s the kind of player that executes at their pace and make a big difference in all those little categories that won’t show up on the stat sheet. He is as good a player as I’ve coached against. Turner has the kind of talent and court sense that separates him from the others. He’s a coach on the floor.”
On Ohio State guard Jon Diebler
“I’ve got to take my hat off to Jon Diebler. Our scouting report certainly told us to look out for him but he was tough to find. They did a good job with some misdirection and kick-out plays that got him open. His performance gave them an extra edge and kept their entire team in rhythm.”
