Nov. 30, 2007
Coach Herb Sendek
Opening Comments:
"Going into today's game, we had a great deal of respect for our opponent. We watched two tapes in particular that raised our eyebrows. They went to Bradley about a week or so ago, always an outstanding program, and with about a minute to go, it's an even game. Then the same thing at Iowa, under three it's virtually an even game. Even though we got off to a great start, you could tell just watching them shoot the ball the way they did, on a given night, look out. They have great size. They didn't need a lot of time and space to get their shots, so we had to be on our toes. The one thing that we're disappointed in is we didn't guard the 3-point line as well as we needed to for 40 minutes. Sure enough, every time we gave them any breathing room, they put it on the scoreboard. But I thought our team did a really good job, all in all. They were really ready to play at the beginning. We shot the ball well ourselves, and continue to play very unselfishly. I thought it was a good win for us."
On if he felt they played better than in Monday's victory:
"We probably were a little bit better tonight, to start. I thought we came out as sharp as we have been all season offensively."
On playing with just one day off between games, like in the Pac-10 season:
"The guys have done a great job of being focused and getting themselves ready to play. We've gotten off to two really good starts, and that's great to see."
On if the team is gaining confidence:
"This team, I think, has confidence, but at the same time, they also possess humility. If you have one without the other, trying to do what we're doing, it's challenging. You've got to have self-esteem, you've got to feel good better about yourself, you've got to believe in yourself, but at the same time, if that confidence ever trespasses into cockiness and you lose humility, then you stop learning and improving. I think, right now, early in the season, with the limited experiences we have together, with the limited adversities we've had together, we have a nice balance. I'm sure as the long season goes along, they'll be more tests to really make us dig deep into those two areas."
On the play of Jamelle McMillan and Derek Glasser combining for 10 assists and just two turnovers tonight:
"Those guys really had a good game tonight. They really made their teammates better. Any time that position can give you a 10-to-two night, that's a good effort."
On the upcoming game at Nebraska:
"It will be a great test for us. Maui was really good, but those games were on a neutral site. Now we go to Devaney Court, a great place. Nebraska has an excellent team. It will be our first true road test of the year; for many of our guys, their first road game ever. So we have to look forward to that challenge on Sunday."
G Christian Polk
On differences from last season:
"It's a lot different, but nobody is really counting minutes, counting shots, you had more points, I had more points. It's all a team game. We all have the same goal in mind, to get the W, whether I have zero points or 50 points, or James [Harden] has a thousand points, it doesn't matter. We're trying to get the W."
On playing with just one day off since the last game, like in the Pac-10 season:
"It's a quick turnaround. You just have to be ready for it. I think that will help us. We got a nice, good practice in yesterday. It showed everybody, the freshmen, the newcomers, that you've got to be able to turn it around quick and come out to play the next game."
On how this team compares to last year's team:
"There are a lot more offensive weapons this year. We have a lot more depth. It's different, me coming off the bench. I think we have a lot more offensive firepower, not to bag on last year. I think we did a lot of good things last year to set the tone for this year, but I think we have a lot more offensive power. We've got a lot better shooters, and I think we're real deep, so I think that's the difference this year."
On the team's confidence going to Nebraska on Sunday:
"That's one thing we have this year, everybody has a high set of confidence. Nobody is used to losing. Nobody wants to lose. Everyone has a swagger about themselves, and kind of a chip on their shoulder about what happened last year, so we're just trying to turn everything around."
On the team's defense compared to last season:
"I think everyone still plays hard on defense, it's just that last year we played defense so much, and the guys knew what to do. The newcomers, everybody is still getting a feel for it. A lot of people think it's a zone, but it's not really a zone. We match up and all that kind of stuff. I think as soon as we hit Pac-10, everybody's going to get the feel for it. I think we're going to be better than last year as far as defense when we all get clicking and everybody gets the hang of it."
G James Harden
On the team's offensive progress:
"Offense isn't the problem. It's our defense. They're a good team, but our defense is what we focus on. They shot the ball real well, so we still have to focus on our defense a lot. That's the main focus."
On making his two 3-point shots tonight, his first made 3-pointers of the season:
"My teammates did a real good job of finding me tonight, and I had the confidence to knock it down."