Coach Hillsman Quotes
Head Coach Quentin Hillsman Postgame Quotes
Syracuse vs. Cincinnati
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Carrier Dome
Opening Statement
“It's getting tougher and tougher to explain these things. We won every category and lose the game. I guess besides the one thing on the sheet, free throw shooting. Other than that 23 offensive rebounds, 27 defensive rebounds, 50 rebounds to their 39, we have less turnovers, more assists, more steals and it's hard to explain. We shot a higher percentage in the game and scored 36 points in the paint. When you are winning in every category, except for free throw shooting that's the only thing we didn't win in. But, it's hard to explain.”
Do you think it has to do with falling behind early?
“I don't think so because if that's the case we wouldn't be able to come back and take the lead. So I don't think it has that much to do with it. We always play great the second half we were up five so I don't think it has much to do with it.”
Did Cincinnati do anything to surprise you?
“No not really. We knew that Shareese Ulis would play off the bounce. We knew that Michelle Jones would play inside, and we knew that Kahla Roudebush would shoot the ball. We talked before the game started that they were very good off the bounce and that they guarded the ball. They didn't do anything we knew they couldn’t do either.”
Should you have fouled at the last seconds of the game?
“They started dribbling backwards, you want to extend the game but you are thinking she is dribbling backwards getting ready to shoot the ball. She made a tough shot. That could go either way. We could have fouled and maybe we would have been okay also she could have missed it and we would have been okay. So hind's sight is 20/20 and you don't know what these situations are. My general rule is if they get the ball and they are coming against us and it is under three seconds, that's when I foul. It was four-point whatever seconds, so at some point you have to trust you principle and that's what you do.”
Where you guarding anyone in particular in the last play of the game?
“No we had two defensive set-ups for whatever they were starting to run. So they ran the set that required us by our rule to be in man-to-man, and switch everything and do whatever to not give up a shot. So we did switch everything. I don't think they got the first look they wanted. At the second look away from the basket, and it's a second or under. At that point you just play because you know she is looking for a shot. So you almost can't foul at that point when she is away from the basket.”
How did you feel about the lack of free throws?
“We left off nine points off the board for not making free throws and we didn't get to the line as much as we normally do. So you look at that. That was a big blow for us.”
How big was Erica Morrow in the second half?
“Well she was big. Well it is one of those things where Tasha Harris is our point guard and I trust her with this game. Erica was playing very well and took control in the game. In no way is that a shot against Tasha because she is a great point guard.”
How important is it to put this game behind you?
“I am going to be honest. It is going to behind me as soon as I walk off this podium. It's going to over, and that's how I am. I am not trying to say that to be smart I am saying that in all honesty. As soon as I leave the podium, I start thinking about the next game, and that's what we are going to do. We are going to go prepare. You have to have short memory. You have to let this one go. Have a day off tomorrow and then get ready to go.”
