Dec. 8, 2008
Coach Herb Sendek
Thoughts on the game:
"Obviously the difference in the game for us was defense. I think it started with assistant coach [Scott] Para, who did the scouting, and the rest of the staff. They really had the guys prepared and ready to go on the defensive end. The guys did a real good job of carrying out their assignments. Even when we weren't scoring at the beginning of both halves, we didn't allow that to carry over to the defensive end of the floor. We allowed ourselves to hang around until our offense got itself going. I was very pleased with our defense overall today."
On avenging the loss from last year:
"Everybody uses different things to motivate themselves in different ways. Some players would latch on to something like that, while other players might not focus that much on that area. Our guys that were here last year remember the game from last year, but once the game starts, I don't think that's what is anyone's mind. When your going up and down, carrying out your defense assignment, and playing your role on offense, you don't have the luxury to think about what happened a year ago. I think before the game the guys had it in its proper place."
On his players performance against Nebraska:
"I thought both Ty [Abbott] and James [Harden] played really well. Rik had his career high in rebounds. So many of the good things that happen for us are a function of James. Whether he is scoring or setting up other teammates, he is just a really special player. Jeff was big with 10 rebounds, while James had nine. Guys made a number of hustle plays. Jeff got to shooters and had a presence at the basket that saved our defense."
Thoughts on the game:
"We came out aggressive and executed. We did what we had to do, which is the most important thing."
On playing against Nebraska's starting five, which consists of five guards:
"It was fun, just like playing against each other in practice. A lot guards scrapping, pressing, trapping; its actually fun to play that way. We're going to get a lot of open lay-ups, open shots, and the guys knocked them down."
On creating scoring oppurtunites for his teammates:
"That's how I play every game, that's what I always am trying to do. Whether it is getting Jeff easy buckets and dunks, or getting the perimeter guys like Ty, Rik, Derek, Jamelle and Jerren open perimeter shots. Like I said, they did a really good job of knocking down shots."
On the team defense against Nebraska:
"Just have to get back. You can't give them wide-open lay-ups, that's the most important thing. We gave up only 44 points, which is great. I think we held them to a low shooting percentage from the field. We picked up the ball pressure, got some steals and got out in transition. Our offense starts with our defense."
On breaking out of his early season shooting slump:
"I don't think it's a mental barrier. You just have to stop thinking about it, that's the biggest thing. You start to think about what your doing wrong, but you just have to go back to the basics of shooting and let it go."