Post Game Comments

Nov. 24, 2009

NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL
November 24, 2009

Princeton 50
@ GW 65

Post-game comments

GW Coach Karl Hobbs

How much of a factor were turnovers tonight?

"They were a big factor. Whenever we go on a little bit of a run, it really changed the tempo of the game. We would steal the ball and throw it back to them. I think the guys were trying to make plays a little too quick. We wanted to really get out and play a fast pace and up the tempo of the game. As a result, we got too over-exuberant at times. But the things that were consistent were our defense and rebounding.

What were the consequences of so many turnovers?

"I thought we looked young today. We had moments where we looked confused or unsure, or we were just trying to play a little too fast. We didn't want to be in a hurry, but we wanted to be quick, and sometimes, we were too much in a hurry."

What is your outlook for the team based on tonight's performance?

"We just want to get better. We want to continue to focus on each game and taking care of the ball. It was nice to address our free throw shooting. I think we're progressing fairly well. We have a difficult challenge on Saturday, and it will give us from a coach's standpoint an indication of where we are. So we're excited about the game on Saturday."

How did the fans help push the team tonight?

"I thought the fans were great, mainly because it seemed like they hung in there with these young guys. When we turned the ball over, the fans didn't get discouraged. It's almost like they said, `it's gonna come.' We were going to settle down, make some shots, and go on a run."

What does playing a methodical team like Princeton do for A-10 preparation?

"For us, it was a real mental challenge for our guys. We want to get up and go up and down. Princeton wants to control tempo, they want a real slowdown game, and want to lessen the possessions. They want to play in the 50s, and we want to play in the 80s. It's a real mental challenge for us, and I think we showed some growth. But our youth showed too. So from a mental toughness standpoint, this game prepared us for the A-10."

The game got close at 47-42, and then you pulled away. How important was that?

"The run was important because it helped us get and keep the lead. Princeton has some veteran guys. We told our guys that they're not going to rattle them. Their seniors have seen everything, and played every possible team you can imagine. But our defense and reobounding made the difference today."

What has Lasan Kromah brought the team?

"He's brought us tremendous outside shooting. Although today he didn't put up the big numbers, he's a guy who can really stretch the defenses. I think he's going to have a fabulous game on Saturday, because we'll need him to."

GW freshman G Bryan Bynes

Talk about how your string of jumpers helped put the game away down the stretch.

"Before the game, I spent an hour working on my jump shot because I've been off the last couple of games. That was one area where I wanted to make a statement tonight, and it worked out for the best at the end. I think I hit some big shots at the end of the game."

What made the difference on defense?

"All week, we worked on ball pressure. We saw on tape that they didn't like that, so we worked n ball pressure and containing the basketball, and it paid off."

Princeton coach Sydney Johnson

Did you see some improvement with your team's performance tonight?

"Not perfectly but there was an effort there. We didn't quite shoot the ball the way we wanted to, we didn't close out some things defensively. But they showed some character, which wasn't evident the last time out."

Talk about how you handled GW's 1-2-2 defense.

"You're going to make mistakes, and I was happy they played through them. There were some places that we did not want them to put the ball, and unfortunately that allowed their scheme to work. When we put the ball where we wanted to, we got quality shots. They stepped up and looked confident. We weren't perfect; we're never going to be. But for a stretch there, we were good enough to make it a game."

"I would be remiss to not mention that Coach Hobbs has done a terrific job with this team. It's a fun team to watch. They're young and they play hard. Sometimes you get caught up in trying to prepare your team so much that you don't get the chance to admire the challenge coming up...Maybe sometime down the road we'll get another chance, but for now I wish them all the luck in the world."