Jan. 25, 2006
Rob Evans, ASU Head Coach
Opening Statement:
"I thought that Arizona's veterans stepped up and really played well for them, especially Hassan Adams and Mustafa Shakur stepped up and made plays when they needed them. Hassan Adams in a stretch took over the game and their veterans played better then our veterans on the court. Our team played well they executed on offense, and they were focused. We got some guys tired in the game; our bench is not that deep and did not get the production needed from the bench.
Scoring:
"We had some good looks for the most part we just missed shots inside. We execute well on offense we just did not make shots
Commenting on Jeff Pendergraph:
"Jeff Pendergraph has never been scared, this kid has a great chance of being a good player although people doubt him. I really feel like he can be one of the great players in this league and all around. He is a really smart kid he is long, and can only get bigger. A lot has to do with the way he was coached in high school. A problem is that he understands things but does not internalize them.
Coach Lute Olson
"I thought that ASU came out and played very well tonight. Kevin Kruger played tremendously tonight. He is a handful to defend every night because he never stops moving out there for one second. Hassan Adams, for his part, did a very nice job defensively on him. Offensively, Hassan had another great game. The last five or six game stretch for him has been possibly the best he's played since he got here.
ASU came out strong and took that lead, but we didn't let it get us off our game plan. We were able to tie the score and then take the lead, and from there we just never let them back into it.
On the technical fouls:
I have not lost any love I have for the officials. I think that they all do an incredible job out there every night, but every once in a while, I take it upon myself to point it out when they make a mistake. All I wanted was for them to change the call and make it right.