Dec. 19, 2011
Recap | Box Score | GT Photo Gallery
– GEORGIA TECH HEAD COACH Brian Gregory
Opening Remarks
“We didn’t play very well. We didn’t play with the effort that you need to play with, or the concentration that you need to play with. When you have 22 turnovers – that’s concentration and that’s reading situations. They (Alabama A&M) missed some shots, and that’s a lot of defensive breakdowns (by us) as well. For the first time, we did not build on what we had done in the past. Not evaluating on a win or loss, but evaluating on the process: today we didn’t do the job we needed to do. It was disappointing. I’m disappointed and we’ve got to respond.”
“That was 40 minutes of something that did not resemble the type of basketball that we need to play.”
On the play of freshman F Julian Royal:
“I thought Julian Royal played with a great energy level. He had five offensive rebounds and a couple of them were big plays for us that were just pure hustle plays. That was good to see that as a freshman. I was very pleased with his performance. (He was) probably the only bright spot for me.”
On Royal’s presence on the floor:
“He made a couple shots. Those turnovers were not from the post. He didn’t have a big effect on us not turning the ball over – those are from the guards. But he was able to make a couple post moves and he made the jump shot. What he did, I’m not sure he stabilized us, he saved our butt. That’s a big difference.”
On whether or not the long layoff contributed to the team’s effort:
“Everybody would say that. Every day you have to come and work. Regardless of whether it’s finals or not, you can use that as a legitimate excuse, but we haven’t had finals for the last three days. Our habits at times need to continue to improve on a daily basis, and we’ll play better. This was the first time this year I was disappointed in the energy level and the effort that we gave. And still, I say that, and we held them to 35 percent from the field and we out-rebounded them by 22.”
ALABAMA A&M HEAD COACH WILLIE HAYES
Opening Statement
“We played the way I wanted to play. We played with energy and the pressure defense that I wanted. I kind of challenged those guys after that Michigan game. We played well the first half at Michigan and didn’t give effort the second half against Michigan. I challenged our guys and said, `Listen, we’re going to Georgia Tech, and I want to see what kind of effort we’re going to put forth against Georgia Tech,’ and they gave me that. I was pleased with the way we played, didn’t like the outcome, but pleased with the way we played.”
On the rebounding margin between the two squads
“When you’re missing your leading rebounder and your second leading scorer, Demarquelle Tabb, who didn’t play because of back spasms and an ankle problem. He’s a double-double guy for us. Missing him really hurt us on the boards. We had to play with the little guys, like the guys kept saying `the Smurfs’, so I had to play with those guys, and they did a good job tonight though.”
On forcing turnovers in the first half
“That’s part of our game plan. We want to force turnovers. We want to get out in transition and get some easy shots, because we’re not a low post team. You want to get some transitions baskets and jump shots, and that will help you down the road. That’s how we’re going to have to play to win games.”
