Marshall University Athletics
Marshall-Tulsa Men's Basketball Quotes
1/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2007
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Marshall head coach Ron Jirsa
"We played better across the board. We got good games from several people. Our centers played pretty well as a group, and everyone contributed in some way, and that is part of our formula. We had very good point guard play today. They moved the ball more patiently and shared the ball. We also boxed out very well. Tulsa is a terrific rebounding team, so that was an emphasis for us tonight.
"I really thought we played with more poise tonight. We didn't press as much, but we held them at bay because our offense was efficient. We certainly will get back in the press when we feel it is necessary.
"We got the ball from one side to the other and shot the ball later in the shot clock - not that we were trying to do that, but that was the way it played out. We played against one defense tonight, and we got stronger and were more knowledgeable and more efficient as the game went along. They don't play zone much and that is something we have worked to get better against.
"We just shot fair at best but still held them down. We missed 11 free throws, which is still too many, but we were able to hit some key second-half field goals."
"We kept up our intensity. We hit a wall again tonight but we made some stops and didn't allow the big run which has killed us in the past. The most important thing was we were able to have a lead and keep the lead. Other games we have it, then give it up and have to fight to get it back. I thought we played well almost the full 40 (minutes) and kept our intensity the whole way."
On his double-double
"That is the first time since high school. I didn't even notice during the game. A lot of those rebounds just kind of fell into my hands. The credit goes to my teammates, because without them boxing out so well, I probably only would have gotten two of those rebounds."
On defending Tulsa
"Tulsa is a great 3-point shooting team. We were able to contest a lot of their shots. We may not have blocked the shots but at least we were able to contest them and get a hand in their faces."
Tulsa head coach Doug Wojcik
"I always have heard how well Marshall plays here and now I know why. You have to give them credit. They played well tonight. They were a team lacking a little confidence judging by the tape I had seen, so we felt we needed to seize the momentum early on and not let them get the momentum on their side.
"It was not a pretty game. Neither team shot very well from the field or the foul line. Despite that, we were still in it with five minutes left. But you have to give Marshall credit. They played aggressive and we did not."
On Marshall
"They're a team that's somewhat fragile. But you have to give them credit. We talked all week about how they beat Virginia Tech and played California and only lost by two."
