Feb. 3, 2011

Recap |  Final Stats |  Notes

Cleveland State Head Coach Gary Waters:
(Opening statement) "The game did not go the way I had planned, but at the end it did. We did not play a very good game in my estimation. We played hard and we played tough, but we didn't execute the way we should execute. We had breakdowns on both ends of the court. But there outstanding performances from individuals. I thought some guys came off the bench and really lifted us. I thought it was a true team effort."

(On the similarity between the first halves of both Valpo games) "We talked about it at halftime in the same scenario that happened at Valpo. What it looked like to me was they had turned this game into an offensive game. They average 42 points at the half, and I knew we had to hold them off of that."

(On what went well) "The defense I thought we played hard. We had some breakdowns, and I thought we were giving up some things, but they are a very good offensive team. We took the two (scorers) away, and that was successful. What hurt us was Aaron getting into foul trouble."

(On his opinion of the team's performance) "I'm not overly pleased with the way we played because we've got another game coming up on Saturday. If we play on Saturday the way we played tonight, we're going to be in trouble. We didn't focus the way we needed to focus."

(On who he needed to watch for in the Horizon League) "The one I'm concerned with is Valpo. Because I don't see them getting another loss. We have one blemish and they're right back in it."

(On the blocks by Woods) "Woods was one of the top block-shotters in Michigan high school. It changes the defense. I love blocked shots. If I can get five men who can block shots, watch out."

Cleveland State's Norris Cole:
"I thought we started off well, we were on an emotional high. Once the game settled down, we held their top scorers to single digits. So I was pleased with our effort.

"I think it gives us a big boost of energy and allows us to pressure them more, because we know if we make a mistake, Charlie can get up there to make a big block."

"That's my job as a leader of the team and as a point guard, to control the tempo. You gotta outrun them and get them out of their spots, and that's what we tried to do. If I don't see anyone picking me up at half court, I know I can push it in. Or, if I see nobody picking up J-Mo or Trey, I know I can get it into them."

"We knew we had to get a good start, because at their place that didn't happen. So we focused on setting up offensively, and that allowed us to get good shots. We always know they gotta come back to us, and if they beat us that gets us fired up."

Cleveland State's Jeremy Montgomery:
(On why he played well) "I was just trying to lock down my defender, and I don't think I really did that tonight. On the offensive end I think I helped my team out. I played off what my point guard fed me and just give my team a good lift, and we did that tonight and got our team a victory."

Cleveland State's Charlie Woods:
(On his dunk)"They weren't too good at boxing out so I knew I had to go in and just see what I could do."

(On the strong play of the bench) "It all starts in practice. It all starts with focus and getting some energy from our starters."

(On his blocks) "It just feels good to stop the ball going in. You start off trying to help your teammates, and it feels good when it ends with blocks."

Valparaiso Head Coach Homer Drew:
(Opening statement) "The difference in the game was their speed just took it over. Norris Cole, when the ball is in his hand he actually gets faster. That said, we did not play very well, we were not prepared for that speed and their quickness and transitions. We just could not catch up with the speed this time."

(On what the Crusaders didn't do tonight) "We did not execute the way we've been executing. We didn't make those baskets, and that allowed them to continue to build that lead."

(On the difference between this game and the game vs. CSU at Valpo) "I think at home we made baskets, and when we made baskets that slowed the tempo up. When we missed and they would take the rebound, you saw them and how fast they went."

(On his plan offensively) "We wanted to get a little more efficient on offense to get a few more baskets and get the lead."

(On the closeness of the Horizon League race) "I think the Horizon is truly one of the best basketball conferences in the country. Every night in and out you need to earn your victory, and we did not earn it tonight. I think you have a lot of very good teams in this league. It's truly a very good league."