Marshall University Athletics
Postgame Quotes
2/22/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 22, 2012
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Marshall head coach Tom Herrion
Opening statement:
"I thought our defense pretty much the whole night was really, really good. But we were so bad offensively in the first half. Nine turnovers came out of nowhere. We've been pretty good with the ball lately. We missed easy baskets around the bucket, obviously missed points on the free throw line. I'm really proud of the group. They responded at halftime. We're thrilled with the win. They're a dangerous team. You guys saw it. They're really good offensively, they've got a lot of talent. I thought we did a really good job on (Jonathon) Simmons. (DeAndre) Kane did a really good job for the most part, and some other guys as well. Nigel (Spikes) and Dago (Pena) in the second half I thought were the difference makers for us on both ends of the floor."
On what he told the players at halftime:
"I just counseled them. I was honest with them. I thought we played soft, scared, then we kind of sulked and pouted because things didn't go our way. We miss a free throw, we miss a lay-up, we turn it over, and we kind of put our head in the sand a little bit. I thought we manned up and came out with great energy in the second half. Other than the last couple minutes of the first half, I thought our defense was really, really good all night long. We were just so inept on offense in that first half."
On Marshall's defense:
"I thought our defense finally was good enough tonight to carry us. It needed to be, and again, I thought those two guys off the bench changed the game."
On Nigel's two blocked shots:
"We really put an emphasis on guarding the post against them because they hurt us last year inside. So we fronted a little more tonight, made them throw over the top and got some back side help, and Nigel was really good on the back side help at times. I thought he set the tone, got the crowd in the game. And our defense created out offense. We got in transition, got some easy shots and started making some shots and then Dago broke the game open. We were able to find shots for him in the second half. It's nice to see him kind of find his stroke."
On Houston stopping going to the post:
"I thought we wore them down too. I thought we really wore them down. But again, I thought we got really good shots in the first half. Offensively, we were uncharacteristic with our turnovers, and obviously we were disappointed with our free throws. Our shots were good in the first half. We just didn't make many. Then we started making shots. Our coaches on the bench were saying we were getting good shots, but we had nothing to show for it.
On Kane guarding Simmons:
"Dre does a good job. He's able to guard different people. Most guys, when you look at the sizes, they're usually shorter than what they list in the media guide, and he is all of 6'6, maybe pushing 6'6 ½. But I thought we did a good job putting him in bad spots. He would get the ball and we would be able to help off the point guard a little bit, so our guards helping a little bit off the drive. When he locks in, he can guard a lot of guys and now he's taking a lot of pride in that. Collectively, I thought our defense overall was really, really good, and it carried us. "
On preparing for Memphis:
"Rest. We've got to get rest. It was hot in there tonight. We had a lot of guys that have got to get rested. It's a great game. It's great for the Huntington community, campus, the fan-base. We all cry for attention and respect. Well, the game is on national television against the flag-bearing program in the conference historically. Here's our chance. Show up, no empty seats, be loud, be energized. And now we've got to play well against a good team. You know they're a good club. Obviously we have great respect for them. We had a war down there. But this is our chance for our program, our school, our community, our fan-base. We've got a chance to play on national television and showcase our program. Obviously we have to take care of our business but our fans can do a lot for us as well."