University of Massachusets Athletics
Postgame Quotes: UMass at GW
February 16, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2006
Recap | Box Score | Notes
UMass Coach Travis Ford
Opening statement
"It was a hard-fought game. Both teams competed. We didn't get too many shots to fall in the first half; we did better in the second half. I'm excited about how we played hard. But when you're playing one of the best teams in the country at their place, you almost have to be perfect. We didn't play perfect, and GW hung in there to the end. That's why they're one of the best teams in the country."
At the end of the game, were you looking to foul someone or were you comfortable letting the clock run down?
"I was comfortable with getting the ball back. I figured we'd get it back at about six seconds left by the time they took a shot. I did not want to foul."
Was it difficult to win with 29 turnovers?
"It's very difficult. Getting in serious foul trouble didn't help us; shooting 1-for-9 from the 3-point line in the first half didn't help us. But they're a scrappy basketball team. That's what we saw on film. They play in those spurts and that's what makes them good. They can afford not to play well in 2- or 3-minute segments. We can't. We're not that good of a basketball team to do that."
GW Coach Karl Hobbs
"Good teams try to find ways to win. Tonight, our offense, particularly our 3-point shooting wasn't there, but our defensive traps and our turnovers were there. We were able to make some plays down the stretch to beat a ball team that I've said all along is very talented. I think they're the second-most talented team in the league. They certainly showed it tonight."
You had a chance to put them away with an 11-point lead, and what happened next set up the rest of the game.
"We didn't finish off some plays in terms of layups, we didn't finish off some free throws, and that allowed the momentum to shift. When they got their half-court offense set, I thought they were terrific. They executed, they maintained their poise. As you watch this team play, it was a matter of time before they broke out."
Did you ever feel like GW was in control?
"Never. Only because we weren't finishing plays, particularly plays that we normally make. We didn't shoot well from the perimeter. Their zone was very effective. It slowed us up and kept us playing at a pace that they wanted to play at."
In the last few minutes you forced a shot clock violation and scored to go up by 5.
"I thought that was the difference right there. But the two plays that signified our will to win were at the end of the half when [Danilo] tipped the ball in--that was an amazing play--and when Maureece missed the two free throws. What an effort to get back to that ball and knock it off their player... We're very, very happy about this win."
GW junior G Danilo Pinnock
Are you happy with the way the team played?
"You're never unhappy with a W. UMass is a great team, a great program with a lot of history. They played a great game. I'm definitely happy getting out of here with a victory."
UMass had 29 turnovers. How may were their fault, and how many were due to your defense?
"That's something that we try to do. Maybe if we had converted on some of those turnovers, it wouldn't have been that close of a game. But even though they turned the ball over, the fact that it was such a close game shows how good UMass is."