Washington vs. Arizona State
February 23, 2008 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 23, 2008
Recap | Final Stats | Notes
Head Coach Lorenzo Romar
General Comments:
"Obviously that was very disappointing. Arizona State played a fantastic ballgame today. [Rihards] Kuksiks makes them an even better team. He is a mismatch at times for a big. He can really shoot the ball; he hit some big shots for them. James Harden was outstanding as he has been all year. Early on we had some chances. We had some pretty good looks early in the first half that didn't go down. Our guys continued to fight back, but today they were the better team overall."On why ASU was successful: "The way they were playing with their methodical approach. They were in a decent rhythm and they were able to knock shots down. There were times when our guys could've folded, but they didn't. But you can only come back so many times before you're worn down. We had to come back probably one too man times tonight."
On why Washington is so vulnerable against the three: "More recently were Oregon and this team. Then Cal with Ryan Anderson. Ryan Anderson is just a pretty good player. The other two is penetration and the draw and kick. That got us some times tonight and that got us against Oregon. We got lost in transition a couple of times where they hit a couple of quick threes."
On Ryan Appleby: "We will come out on top a lot more with him. The next game we play, when he gets an open look, he's got to shoot it. He's a phenomenal shoot. You don't put a restriction on the all-time leading three-point shooter."
On Arizona State's offense: "In what they do offensively, they consistently play for in and one out, a big that pops consistently is going to be a threat. Again, Ryan Anderson. A big guy that can shoot makes it tough. We had Bobby Jones and Mike Jensen playing those positions before they were a tough mismatch for people."
On whether home-court was an advantage in the Pac-10: "Across the league it didn't appear that it did. The records would show that maybe it wasn't much of a strongpoint for the teams in this league. Our home crowd has been great. We just weren't able to get it done at home this year like we have in the past."
Junior Jon Brockman
On why the team seemed uninspired:
"I wish I could tell you. I have no idea."On the difference between today and the first game against ASU: "I just think we played a smarter game than we down there. Tonight we weren't taking care of the ball, we were uninspired and the team that should've won, won tonight. They came out with a lot more energy. They came out with a lot more focus. They got it done."
On when he could tell Washington was in trouble: "I think we struggled shooting the ball at first. We really couldn't buy a basket. It made me nervous because a lot of time that can lead to other things dropping off. I think that is kind of what happened."
On shooting too much from the outside: "We settled for a lot of outside shot. A couple were good; some of them were contested and too quick. That's just playing into their hands with that zone. Instead of attacking the zone, I think the first 10 minutes especially, we shot a lot of outside shots. I think at times we're going to have to pass up a good shot to get an even better shot and just wait and be patient. We weren't patient tonight."
On the Pac-10: "I know we just blew it. We could've passed up four teams, I believe with that game. But I wish I knew why we didn't come out to play."
On going 4-5 at home this season: "This is usually the place where we never lose."
Arizona State Head Coach Herb Sendek
On team's all-around effort:
"It was a great team effort today. Everybody chipped in; guys performed their specific roles incredibly well today. That's the best way to summarize the win today. Every guy we put in the today did his thing. It wasn't extraordinary things necessarily but what they were supposed to do individually and collectively."On Rihards Kuksiks: "He's really gaining confidence and has given us some very valuable defense. The key for us tonight was we shot the ball well. During our losses we analyze like crazy, watch the ball hit the hit the rim and work on our transition defense. When you make shots, that's basketball."
On team's energy: "I thought we had a real collective purpose. We have great kids. They battle and I'm just really proud of the way they came together and played with great purpose today."
