Dec. 22, 2005
– JACKSONVILLE HEAD COACH Cliff Warren
On the team’s play in the first half: “We played hard tonight, I’m very proud of them but disappointed in the rebounding effort and boxing out.”
On the size of Georgia Tech and how they would defend them: “Well it was something that we talked about after the Florida game on how big and strong Tech was.”
On Georgia Tech’s scoring run and if it was deja vu: “It was déjà vu when they began to make a run. I remember the other side yelling to make the run. I knew it was coming.”
On the first nine minutes when Jacksonville built a five-point lead: “I think our players should know now that they can score and defend. They can also execute as well. Again just give their best effort.”
Coach on how he sees the team progression: “I’m seeing a little bit of progression in the team and in my staff. The players understand that it will take some time. Yes, we see some progression but we have to build on that everyday in practice at the gym and get better.
GEORGIA TECH HEAD COACH Paul Hewitt
“I thought our effort was much better after the first 10 minutes of the game. Obviously we’re very pleased to get the win. I thought we did some pretty good things. I told Cliff after the game, his team is doing all the things he wants them to do in terms of being aggressive defensively, pitching the ball ahead and getting the ball up the floor quickly. They shot the ball extremely well in the second half. I told him, Listen, it’s only a matter of time until you get your guys in there and you’ll be pretty good. He’s probably about two shooters short of being a very good basketball team right now. It’s unfortunate that he lost some guys over the summer. I don’t think those guys understood what they were about to experience and what they are missing by not playing for Cliff. Of all the guys I’ve been around, he has a way of developing strong relationships with his players, and he does a great job of player development. He worked with our point guards for eight years, and he always had outstanding point guard play, going back to Siena. He and his staff will do a good job. They get the players, and this will become an even more uncomfortable game, if we continue playing it.
[Was the game awkward?] “Yes. As we got going, you start focusing on your own team, but early on it was kind of strange.
[Did you see more of what you wanted to see] “In spurts. I still thought there were some breakdowns. It’s still not there, but it better be there come the 28th (at Air Force.). That’s a huge ballgame. There’s no understating how important this game is to us and to them. They’re a veteran team. They’re good. So we better start eliminating some of our breakdowns.
“I don’t think we’re as good as we can be. I’m not going to say I’m disappointed in our development at this stage, but we’re not playing as well as I think we’re capable.”
“I thought he [Paco] would play more minutes but the foul trouble held him back. I thought Zam played great. Clearly in my mind this was his best game. He did what he was supposed to do tonight. He guarded, he hustled getting around screens . . . six assists, one turnover, that’s how a point guard is supposed to play. Even if Paco starts, Zam is going to play the majority of the minutes. The lineup change is all about trying to establish a defensive presence at the start of the game.
NOTING GEORGIA TECH: Jeremis Smith recorded his third straight double-double and fourth in the last five games. Over those five games, he has averaged 18.0 points and 11.4 rebounds . . . Theodis Tarver (11 points) and D’Andre Bell (12 points) both recorded career highs . . . Freshman Paco Diaw scored the first points of his career with a three-pointer.on just his second field goal attempt . . . Tech scored a season-high 92 points.
