Feb. 16, 2008
Coach Herb Sendek
Opening Comments:
"We quite simply did not have the requisite energy level that is necessary to win in the Pac-10 today. Our physical, mental and passion tanks never got filled, and as a result, we were on fumes and never put ourselves in position where we really had a right to feel like we deserved to win. So I think, without making the analysis real complicated, from our standpoint, notwithstanding the terrific job Cal did, our energy level wasn't anywhere near where it needed to be."
On the team's offensive struggles tonight:
"I most certainly don't want to take anything away from Cal. They did a great job today. They clearly and unequivocally deserve to win. They were by far the better team today. But I'm representing Arizona State, and for us, once again, we've had nights before where we had a horrendous time shooting and putting the ball in the basket. I have a hard time stepping beyond our energy level. For us, it's really incumbent to figure out a way, as hard as it may be, to bring it."
On if he thought the team settled for too many outside shots:
"It's not just a matter of settling; it's how teams choose to play you. When James [Harden] put the ball on the floor today and tried to drive to the paint, sometimes there were seven guys on him. So then you do what? You pass outside, the guy has an open 3 and he takes it. You have your fingers and toes and hair crossed hoping he makes it. It's not just a function of what we do; it has to be laid on the canvas next to what the opponent is doing. I do think, having said all that, we took some ill-advised shots, we took some challenged 3's, we took some out-of-rhythm 3's. So those two things working in concert leads to the kind of numbers that you see on the stat sheet."
On whether the team had an emotional letdown tonight:
"That's what it seemed like. We knew we had to win this game to keep our hopes up for playing in March. We knew we needed this game, and it just didn't work our for us."
On Jeff Pendergraph fouling out early:
"He's a big part of what we do. So, to lose him that early in the second half, it hurts."