Postgame Quotes – Ohio State 111, Eastern Michigan 60 – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
No. 15/15 Ohio State 111 (7-1), Eastern Michigan 60 (6-2)
Dec. 5, 2009
Value City Arena
Columbus, Ohio
Attendance: 12,135
POSTGAME QUOTES
Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach
On his team’s effort without Evan Turner
“P.J. really sparked us with some nice shots off of the bench. I thought that the rest of the guys did a great job of keeping a nice flow to the game and doing what needed to be done for us to be successful. That’s a good sign for our team that guys were able to do that.”
On the extra playing time for the bench
“Like I told P.J. after the Florida State game, there’s a rhyme and a reason for everything I do – opportunities will be coming. It was great to get guys like Z and Kec some more minutes.”
On William Buford
“William has really been passing the ball well the past few games, and the passes have been much sharper and crisper. We really have stressed our desire for him to become a more complete player, and today I thought was evidence that he is making strides in that regard.”
Jon Diebler, sophomore guard
On Evan Turner’s injury
“For a guy like Evan, P.J. came in and stepped it up right away. When one guy goes down, everyone tends to hang their heads. We showed our maturity tonight. We are all very close. We’ve played together now for a year. Now we can take the rest of the day off and get healthy over the break since we don’t play until next Saturday.
On the upcoming Big Ten schedule coming up after holiday break
“In the Big Ten, we need our defense to be better. Our defense wasn’t where it needed to be. Eastern Michigan had a high shooting percentage in the first half, but I guess we were hitting on all cylinders. But to compete in the Big Ten, we need our team defense to be better, like our last few games.”
William Buford, sophomore guard
On having a double-double including 10 assists
“Evan (Turner) normally distributes, but I saw my teammates were open all night, so I just passed them the ball.
On his recent struggle with shooting
“It’s kind of hard when your shot’s not falling. But my teammates and coaches were behind me 100 percent, so I kept shooting. I didn’t want to rush my shot.”
P.J. Hill, senior guard
On Evan Turner’s injury in the first half
“He was going to the rim to fast. His legs were out from under him and swinging under the basket. But I could tell he wasn’t hurt by his demeanor.
On how he stepped up his performance after Turner’s injury
“I hate to see Evan go down and get hurt but I also know he wants me to try to do as good as he would. We would want me to come in and pick it up where he left off. So I had to step up but I got to do what’s best for the team.”
Charles Ramsey, Eastern Michigan head coach
On playing against Ohio State
“First of all, they’re just a tremendous club and they were on fire today. We had no answer and it was a very humbling experience. The ball just kept going in and we had trouble coming back.”
On Ohio State playing without Evan Turner
“The other kids really stepped up after Turner went down. Hopefully the young man is all right. They really picked things up a notch once he left and they were playing like he never even left.”
