Nov. 20, 2003
– Hofstra coach Tom Pecora
“I think the first half the guys just didn’t have poise. I don’t expect it, but I can accept from the freshman, but I think some of our veterans got rattled when things didn’t go their way early. I don’t expect them to do that because we’ve played in big games before. We’ve played in big arenas before, so I’m not happy or satisfied with that performance.”
“I think that’s what you take away from a game like this. Every time you play a game, win or lose, you have to learn from it. But you’re not going to beat anybody when you turn the ball over 24 times.”
On Wendell Gibson “We thought heading into tonight that one of the things we could do against them is get the ball down into the post to Wendell [Gibson]. He’s a great back to the basket scorer, a throw back player, not a lot of guys can still do that. I thought he did a good job tonight doing that and competing. The most important skill we talk about all the time is the ability to compete and we have to get everybody on the same page.”
On Kenny Adeleke “We need him to win big games like this. We were able to beat Marist Tuesday night with him only scoring seven points, but you cannot beat teams like this without him having a great game. Our room for error is very minor in a game like this. We nearly have to play flawless basketball to win a game like this.”
On the Georgia Tech bench “I thought they had great energy. They came into the game and played their roles and brought energy to the ballgame. I think that was their strength tonight. We knew after watching film that they had great depth and watching them tonight proved they were even better. They did a very good job.”
On the Tech run’n’gun “We tried to slow them down. We were only down by seven midway through the first half and we were just trying to hang on, but we started turning the ball over and the pressure was helping them get out in transition.”
Georgia Tech Head Coach Paul Hewitt
“In our staff meeting, the one thing we talked about was how do we get Marvin more looks against the zone. He’s so important to our team. I didn’t make a big issue of it with Marin, but I certainly made it an emphasis in the scouting report to screen that weak side of the zone and get Marvin some touches. He cashed in – the birthday boy stepped up tonight (Lewis celebrated his 21st birthday today). We felt like we needed to get him some quality looks. Shooters, when they those first couple, all of a sudden their confidence gets a little higher.
(Improvement of Muhammad, Jack) “Isma’il got in foul trouble early; that’s why his minutes were so low, but he’s really doing a good job of taking good shots and attacking the basket. People are going to be pleasantly surprised when he starts step out and shoots some balls from the outside. In the case of Jarrett, from the middle of last season, you could see this type of development.
This is the type of team we’ve been recruiting to – interchangeable parts on the perimeter with long arms, very quick feet, good anticipation. I think we’re a good defensive team. Sunday is going to be a good test for us because we’re going to play against a veteran team with all five starters back and a veteran point guard.
Luke and Robert have to play better, and I know they’re capable of playing better. It’s been such a big issue, that I think it might be a case of trying too hard. In the preseason, Luke was outstanding; I think he’s just pressing. We know he’s capable of playing well. Everybody in that locker room has confidence in him.
