March 13, 2008

Game 6 - Saint Joseph's 61, Richmond 47

St. Joseph's player quotes

Ahmad Nivin
Talking about the team's defense
"Part of the reason our defense was so successful was we trusted each other. Like coach said we had a good game plan and guys were confident to step up and put a lot of ball pressure up there. We just knew we had help behind us and I think that was a big step for us tonight."

On playing two games and the team's fatigue factor
"Fatigue is always going to be a factor, but there's really a big sense of urgency among this group about the next game not wanting to be our last. We just leave it out on the floor, we empty our tanks, and we just get a lot of rest and play our hearts out there."

Regarding his injury early in the second half
"[Dan]Geriot fell on my ankle. It was just a tweak. I re-aggravated the same ankle, but I should be alright."

Rob Ferguson
Regarding the team's early defense and the changes the team made
"Like [Nivins] said, when we called a timeout we got in the huddle, we all said we got to pick it up. We got to have each other's back and play like we did yesterday. We got to have team defense and once that started clicking, every time somebody got beat somebody was there and everybody rotated. It was a good defensive effort from our whole team today."

On playing the way the team is capable of playing
"I think we can always be better than how we're playing right now. Our potential is I think is limitless because we can do a lot of things, we just have to trust each other."

Talking about the Xavier matchup tomorrow
"Every game is a big game for us. We're going to prepare the same way we do for every other game we played this whole year. Tomorrow is just another big game for us."

Richmond Head Coach Chris Mooney

Thoughts on Saint Joseph's:
"Saint Joseph's has a terrific team with guys who are good at everything and tough. I thought they played very well tonight and a little bit better today than we did. I congratulate them and wish them well as they move on."

On the match up with Saint Joseph's:
"I think their experience certainly showed up. They are a little stronger with athleticism and it did wear us down. In both games we started well, but it seemed a little bit hard for us. They made three triples at the end of the shot clock which they ran good offense and maybe if those don't go down, we are able to hang around a little bit longer. The biggest thing is we weren't able to score enough points. We had some good looks that we need to make, but their defense was physical and alert, which made it very difficult on us."

Regarding Saint Joseph's defense:
"It started with pressure and they did so in the backcourt and all over the floor. They made it very difficult for Dan (Geriot) - he's our leading scorer and they were able to double-team him a couple of times. They took him out of his rhythm, which took us out of our rhythm. All in all, they were physical and they didn't give up when we had the ball inside. Their defensive attack was excellent and what they did give up, we weren't able to take advantage of."

On the possibility of postseason play:
"That's what we are in the middle of trying to figure out. I think we'll have a little bit better of a read on it today and I'll try to talk to some people to see if we can be alive for one of the other two postseason tournaments. I think it would be a great opportunity for us and we would love the chance to go play a good team on the road. I think the opportunity to play a team from a major conference would be great."

Dan Geriot
Regarding the team's scoring dry spell:
"I just think we weren't hitting shots and stepping in at the right times. I was thinking way too much on where the double and triple teams were coming from and it was tough for us to get going due to that."

Thoughts on Saint Joseph's interior defense:
"They were doing a variety of different things when I touched the ball, but it was mostly me as I was thinking too much of where they were coming from. This is part of my game that I need to change because I need to go out and be way more aggressive throughout the whole game instead of thinking so much."

Kevin Anderson
On why their offense struggled:
"At first, we weren't hitting our shots and basketball is a game of runs. We are going to be able to score like we did in the first three minutes today, but it might fall off. Going into the scoring drought was hard and I think we have to do a better job of weathering their storm when we aren't scoring."