Jan. 29, 2009

Recap |  Final Stats |  Notes

Cleveland State Head Coach Gary Waters:
"It's good to be back home. We finally started playing defense back to our ability. We had gotten away from our identity, but they worked hard to get back and that's why were at where were at today. Norris, Cedric and George Tandy did a great job on the defensive end, especially on Kennedy. They really went to work on him and it means we're playing the way were capable of playing defense."

"They didn't score inside and that was our biggest problem over the last three games. Chris and George did a great job of keeping them out of there and not letting them score."

"There is progress in the program and we are getting it to a different level."

"We went to a box and one on Kennedy and I think it got them confused and allowed us to get that lead. He was going at it for about five minutes. I think it stymied all the other guys and it allowed us to get back in it. We weren't doing a good job against their zone and when they started shooting it, we got a couple of transition buckets."

"Norris was a late bloomer and we knew his future was ahead of him when we watched him. He played the role with his team in high school, but we knew he could give us more because he was just finding himself."

"Wright State is a good team. They can win on the road and will bring a lot of issues for us. They have good, quick experience in their guards and their four-men could step out and shoot. And he is a good offensive coach. They move the ball and obviously put a lot of work into it. It's a tough match-up for us and we'll have to play our best."

"We knew we had 10 games left and five at home. We have to take care of business at home. We are trying to gain momentum now. It doesn't matter what you do now, it matters what you do in that tournament. We know that we'll probably have to play on someone's court so we just have to go out and play."

"Jeremy (Montgomery) plays and has helped us all year. He runs our scout team at practice and doesn't get a lot of reps with our top six guys, but he is learning how to be a point guard."

Cleveland State's Norris Cole:
"We've been shooting everday. Teams have been sagging back on us and we've been getting extra shots in practice. If I see an opportunity for myself or a teammate, we have to knock them down."

"We are taking it one game at a time. We can't look past any games and eventually every game will work out. We are working on the next practice and looking ahead to the next game."

"Coach told me he wanted me to be one of the best defenders on the team. ANd I wanted to take on that role to defend the team's best perimeter defender. I am doing the little things, moving my feet, keeping my man in front of me."

Cleveland State's Cedric Jackson:
"We have a few things to work on, but we feel that we're getting back to what we do."

"We wanted to start the second half and take care of the ball, control tempo and control the inside. That created openings for everyone that was in the game."

"We have great teachers in our coaches and our upperclassmen. Norris and D'Aundray are learning that way and our motto is to protect our home court and not to overlook any team. We are taking it one game at a time."

Detroit Head Coach Ray McCallum:
"With Jackson and Bullock, Cleveland State has a two-headed monster. We gave them a lot of attention and lost track of Cole and he gave them a real boost of energy and momentum. We were happy to be down eight in the first half. It was amazing we were able to hang around."

"The start of the second half is where we have had problems and they really took advantage of us. Their second and third and fourth effort wore us down during the middle 10 minutes. And Jackson got going and Bullock did to. We had no answer for them."

"They are a good team with Jackson at the point of attack and Bullock is one of the toughest guys in the conference and they set the tone on the defensive end with their effort. Their experience and talent really comes out. You have a group of young guys who fill in and are capable of making them a really good team down the stretch." Cleveland State flexed their muscles and their three seniors wanted it more than us."