UVa's Tony Bennett:
Opening Statement:
First of all, congratulations to Belmont on an outstanding season and run at the end of the year. Coach Byrd is a tremendous man and a tremendous coach. He is kind of near and dear to my heart because he wears a sweater vest and my father used to wear a sweater vest when he coached. What he has done with that program is remarkable. We knew it was going to be a very difficult, challenging game. You just don't see a lot of teams that can spread the floor like that and have the kind of guys that keep coming at you. It was good for us to be in a game like that. Our young men have been in a lot of games like that, when we had to outlast and make some plays, and even overcome some of our mistakes. They had to do that and I hope it serves us well heading into Sunday's game against a very good Michigan State team.
On nerves down the stretch:
They made some tough shots. Nervous might not be the word. I knew we were going to have to make some plays, some stops, some free throws. You are never safe when you play a team like that that can score in spurts and hit unlimited range shots. They had a stretch when we had to make some adjustments at the guard, in some unconventional ways. I knew that game was in the balance. We knew we had to finish it out.
On having only seven turnovers:
It was better. I think there are a couple offensive fouls in there, too. You can't have your offense cost you. Perhaps a couple of times we settled for some outside shots. The ability for us offensively to not hurt our defensive is significant. They were hard to guard. Ball security is so important and it was good to see our number come down. You have got to take care of the ball. They were feisty with how they would swipe. They weren't going to quit.
On rematch against Michigan State:
We are going from a master coach in Coach Byrd to one of the greatest coaches in Coach Izzo. I have great respect for that program. I grew up respecting it. I know we will have to be at our best. It's a real good team that seems to be playing really good basketball. When you get to this stage, you are going to have to play at a higher level. I am sure it will be a physical game and a hard fought game. I expect that.
Anthony Gill:
On getting inside:
I think that Coach Bennett told us before the game we are gonna call a couple of plays to get the ball inside and I think that we wanted to take advantage of that. We had some opportunities where we could rebound on the offensive end too. I see we had six offensive rebounds and that was big for us. When everybody is rebounding like that on the offensive end, I think we have a good chance.
On the rematch against Michigan State:
I think it's going to be good for us. Last year, they beat us in the Sweet 16. I remember in the locker room last year, everyone just saying to remember how this feels. I think this is not going to be more of a revenge game but for us just doing what we do. I think everybody is hungry to go to the next round and to keep moving on. We are ready for the challenge.
Malcolm Brogdon:
On opponent speeding up the game:
I think we are not a team that can't play a faster tempo. I think we can adjust, and I think we can play well in a faster tempo. I thought they were able to get us a little out of sorts. But at the same time, I think it was more on us.
On trying to stop their run late:
At that point, we thought we just gotta get stops. We can't let them get comfortable If they get comfortable, they can dictate their shots. Myself, I tired to just pressure him, get the ball out of his hands, and swipe at the ball as much as I can.
On free throws in the game:
I think thats pretty astonishing that we shot like that. It's a huge improvement and very good, especially with a team like that. You gotta make free throws if you wan to win in NCAA tournament. Tonight we were able to make free throws and hold them off.
Darion Atkins:
On game:
I think we pulled away towards the end. It was a tough matchup for us and we adjusted very well. It was a hard fought game and it was really tough, especially (Craig) Bradshaw.
On ability to pull away:
It was our preparation. Our poise, our athletic poise and experience towards the end.
On Craig Bradshaw:
He was very tough. He was persistent. He didn't care about anything other than helping his team win. Getting some inside buckets and he hit some tough shots. It was tough to guard him at times; he had a couple of back doors towards the end. He can move and jump very well and he put up good numbers for them tonight.
Opening Statement:
First of all, congratulations to Belmont on an outstanding season and run at the end of the year. Coach Byrd is a tremendous man and a tremendous coach. He is kind of near and dear to my heart because he wears a sweater vest and my father used to wear a sweater vest when he coached. What he has done with that program is remarkable. We knew it was going to be a very difficult, challenging game. You just don't see a lot of teams that can spread the floor like that and have the kind of guys that keep coming at you. It was good for us to be in a game like that. Our young men have been in a lot of games like that, when we had to outlast and make some plays, and even overcome some of our mistakes. They had to do that and I hope it serves us well heading into Sunday's game against a very good Michigan State team.
On nerves down the stretch:
They made some tough shots. Nervous might not be the word. I knew we were going to have to make some plays, some stops, some free throws. You are never safe when you play a team like that that can score in spurts and hit unlimited range shots. They had a stretch when we had to make some adjustments at the guard, in some unconventional ways. I knew that game was in the balance. We knew we had to finish it out.
On having only seven turnovers:
It was better. I think there are a couple offensive fouls in there, too. You can't have your offense cost you. Perhaps a couple of times we settled for some outside shots. The ability for us offensively to not hurt our defensive is significant. They were hard to guard. Ball security is so important and it was good to see our number come down. You have got to take care of the ball. They were feisty with how they would swipe. They weren't going to quit.
On rematch against Michigan State:
We are going from a master coach in Coach Byrd to one of the greatest coaches in Coach Izzo. I have great respect for that program. I grew up respecting it. I know we will have to be at our best. It's a real good team that seems to be playing really good basketball. When you get to this stage, you are going to have to play at a higher level. I am sure it will be a physical game and a hard fought game. I expect that.
Anthony Gill:
On getting inside:
I think that Coach Bennett told us before the game we are gonna call a couple of plays to get the ball inside and I think that we wanted to take advantage of that. We had some opportunities where we could rebound on the offensive end too. I see we had six offensive rebounds and that was big for us. When everybody is rebounding like that on the offensive end, I think we have a good chance.
On the rematch against Michigan State:
I think it's going to be good for us. Last year, they beat us in the Sweet 16. I remember in the locker room last year, everyone just saying to remember how this feels. I think this is not going to be more of a revenge game but for us just doing what we do. I think everybody is hungry to go to the next round and to keep moving on. We are ready for the challenge.
Malcolm Brogdon:
On opponent speeding up the game:
I think we are not a team that can't play a faster tempo. I think we can adjust, and I think we can play well in a faster tempo. I thought they were able to get us a little out of sorts. But at the same time, I think it was more on us.
On trying to stop their run late:
At that point, we thought we just gotta get stops. We can't let them get comfortable If they get comfortable, they can dictate their shots. Myself, I tired to just pressure him, get the ball out of his hands, and swipe at the ball as much as I can.
On free throws in the game:
I think thats pretty astonishing that we shot like that. It's a huge improvement and very good, especially with a team like that. You gotta make free throws if you wan to win in NCAA tournament. Tonight we were able to make free throws and hold them off.
Darion Atkins:
On game:
I think we pulled away towards the end. It was a tough matchup for us and we adjusted very well. It was a hard fought game and it was really tough, especially (Craig) Bradshaw.
On ability to pull away:
It was our preparation. Our poise, our athletic poise and experience towards the end.
On Craig Bradshaw:
He was very tough. He was persistent. He didn't care about anything other than helping his team win. Getting some inside buckets and he hit some tough shots. It was tough to guard him at times; he had a couple of back doors towards the end. He can move and jump very well and he put up good numbers for them tonight.
