11/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 1, 2006
NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL
November 1, 2006
GW 81
Augusta St. 72
(exhibition)
Postgame Comments
GW Coach Karl Hobbs
What are your impressions of this team compared to last year's? "My impression is that this is a different team and a different year. This is a young team, we're a team that's going to go through some growing pains, and it's going to take us some time to blend together."
On Travis King:
"He had some moments when he played exceptionally well, and he had some moments when he played like a freshman."
Is the team where you want them to be at this point?
"I don't think I'll ever feel that this team is where I'd like them to be (laughs). I'm going to have to have some patience because it's going to take some time with these guys. We played hard at times, but we didn't play hard enough consistently."
On Regis Koundjia:
"He too had moments when he played well. But we need him to be more consistent with his play."
What do you need to do to step things up inside?
"Dokun (Akingbade) has got to be our guy. We don't have a lot of depth there. That's the area where we have the most concern."
Will tonight's playing time for the freshmen be the same during the regular season?
"I think so. I think that will pretty much be the rotation because when you look at our team, we don't have a lot of depth. So we have to play those guys, and I think that's good for them. The real payoff will be two or three years from now."
Why did you play Hermann Opoku tonight, even though he'll be suspended the next 11 games?
"Without going into a lot of detail, I think it's unfair that he's missing that many games based on the situation. He's worked very hard in practice, and deserved to get out there."
On the players being able to readily find each other during the game.
"That's one of our strengths. Most of the time, we'll be able to play three guards or even four. We had some moments in transition where we took care of the ball and were able to find people. There was one time where Travis had the ball in transition, and kicked it to Noel Wilmore who made a 3."
On Damian Hollis
"There were some times when he was trying to figure out things. I think it'll take him some time to come around. He has a chance to be a tremendous player. When he gets physically stronger and gets some seasoning under his belt, he's going to be a fine, fine player."
On the three-guard offense of Maureece Rice, Carl Elliott and Travis King
"I think you're going to see that combination a great deal. We're at our best offensively when those three guys are in. They seem to play very well together."
On Noel Wilmore:
"He's a guy who comes off the bench, and we're going to need him to consistently make open shots. Today when he got looks, he did a good job. He's got to continue to do that for us."
On Rob Diggs:
"He has a great deal of responsibility because he's the wing player on the perimeter. He's also going to have to play the back-up 5 spot. There won't be a team that we play this year where we're stronger at that spot. He's got to be a little crafter, his speed has to get better, he has to use his length, and do a better job in that back-up role."
Were you pleased with the team's defensive play?
"I was at times. I don't think our transition defense was good at all. That was the most disappointing thing of the night. That's something we have to be better at, particularly with the kinds of guards we'll be playing this year."
When do you start focusing on Boston University?
"Not until Sunday. We have a scrimmage coming up Saturday at Villanova, and we'll focus on playing a team with a totally different style. It will be a great opportunity for us to learn a little more about ourselves."
