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Quentin Hillsman Postgame Quotes
Syracuse vs. Rider
Monday, December 28, 2009
Carrier Dome/Syracuse, N.Y.
Opening statement:
“I was very happy with the second half. I thought in the first half we got a little out of whack there. I don’t know really what it was about, but we were a little out of whack. In the second half, to hold them to 15 percent shooting and 10 percent behind the arc was big. That was the game I thought.
“The second half we did a really nice job. This is probably the first time this year you guys (the media) have seen us play a lot of man-to-man, so we had to come out and get them. Our zone was stagnant and we couldn’t find the shooters. They made seven (3-pointers) in the first half which is a fair amount and were at 50 percent (7-of-14). And you say if they shoot 50 percent in the second half and shoot 14-of-28 for the game you’re going to lose and we didn’t want to roll the dice and take a chance on that.
“I thought we rebounded the ball really well. We outrebounded them by 18 which was tremendous. I thought in the second half we did a very good job of keeping them off the glass and we did a good job of getting our own rebounds. Overall, I’m very happy with the win. You have these games where it’s not pretty and I think our kids showed a lot of character. In the second half, they came out strong and played aggressive. This was the first game all year I was scared. I was very nervous after the first half because when you know these kids like I know Slinky (Nicole Michael), like I know Erica (Morrow), like I know Tasha (Harris). I see those looks. Those blank looks and it gets you nervous when it’s your best players.
“I’m happy to still be undefeated. I’m very happy for our kids. I’m very happy for everyone that supports us. I’m happy that you guys (the media) don’t have to write about losses.”
On not playing as much zone in the second half:
“We played some man. We played some triangle and two, and did some box and one. It depended on the personel they had in the game. We identified three shooters on their team and in the first half all three of them made a three. In the second half, we wanted to make sure we were there. I’m not going to put myself in a position where we’re not getting out to shooters. We practice man every day. We play a lot of man in practice and we were active enough to guard the rebounders.”
On being off to the best start in school history:
“I didn’t really know until the pre-game, when (radio broadcaster) Brian (Higgins) said something during the pre-game show. It’s remarkable to be off to this kind of start and it’s funny because I was talking to one of my friends in coaching and as we got to seven or eight wins, he’s been very successful on the men’s side, he said ‘the more you win the harder it’s going to be and the more people are going to find wrong with your team.’ It’s one of those eye-opening things. But you can’t get caught up in being undefeated. You have to find what can hurt you and we’ve done that. We’ve addressed some things on that front.
“I feel really good for our players and our assistant coaches. It’s important for the people that help us. Barb (Henderson )is our senior women’s administrator. She works really hard for us to make sure that we put a good product on the floor on gameday. (Athletic Director) Dr. Gross and (Chancellor) Dr. Cantor, what they do to provide for us so we can play and compete at a championship level. I talk about how (Assistant Director of Athletic Communications) Josh (Waldman) and Brian (Higgins) are my partners on the road. We hang out the night before games and they do a good job of talking about things other than basketball. Obviously, my wife who has to figure out what kind of mood I’m in after these games. You’re happy for everybody because they all put up with a lot from me. For us to be in this situation, for our players, our families, it’s just easier on my wife every night when we’re winning too. I’m just happy for everybody.”
