George Washington University Athletics
Postgame Comments: GW vs. St. Bonaventure
2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2009
NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL
February 19, 2009
St. Bonaventure 62
@ GW 90
Post-game comments
GW Coach Karl Hobbs
What made the difference for GW to win by such a large margin?
"One, we made shots. Two, we didn't allow them to get second shots. We rebounded very well. And I think Robert [Diggs] set the tone tonight. He made shots, we made the big guy step out and guard us outside, and once we were able to loosen them up inside, Robert went in and had some great finishes."
Did you see something that allowed you to get back before their defense could get set?
"We felt that we could force turnovers, and in doing so we could get some fast-break baskets, some easy baskets. We knew coming in that they average 17 turnovers a game. We thought that was an area we had to capitalize on to get the win." "Tonight, we really paid attention to detail. We knew which guys could make shots, we didn't run out and guard guys who couldn't shoot from the perimeter. In that past, I'm not sure sure we did that as well as we did tonight."
How did you keep the team loose, even though there's the urgency to win in order to make the A-10 tournament?
"We really don't talk about that. We talk about executing and focusing on the gameplan, and playing within ourselves. That's been our struggle...Tonight, we stayed within what we do."
What contributed to shooting so well from the 3-point line.
"Part of it was having so many early shots go in, and we weren't playing from behind. The guys were a lot looser taking their shots. Every shot wasn't a shot that needed to go in. Guys were more relaxed. I'm not sure we've ever gone 10-for-12 from 3."
You must be pleased with 23 assists as well.
"If you look at our stats, the 23 assists, the 15 steals, forcing them to 17 turnovers--those are the `old' GW stats. It's one game, and I'm very pleased and happy with it. Our struggle has been putting together a 20-minute first half, and a 20-minute second half. That's been difficult for us. This team has been through a lot, and has played every game exceptionally hard. Against Charlotte, there were moments when they overwhelmed us. But the guys came back with enthusiasm in practice. There are times when you play very, very hard, and feel you are deserving of a win, and it doesn't necessarily come. These guys were deserving of a win, and they got it tonight."
GW senior F Rob Diggs
Talk about your night.
"I just wanted to come out and let the team know that we're still in it, and we can still do something real special here as a team, and just have one another's backs--to have weak-side help and always help your teammates with support whenever they get beat or do something out of character."
Even if you don't talk about it, is the urgency of winning to make the tournament still in the back of your mind?
"It's in the front of my mind. [laughs] I'm just trying to get us there and take one game at a time, and keep guys ready to play."
You're not known as a 3-point shooter, yet you hit several in the first few minutes.
"I worked on it a lot this summer. As long as you're playing under Coach Hobbs, he's OK with the shots as long as you make them. [laughs]"
GW sophomore C Joseph Katuka
You've had several good games in a row. Are you getting comfortable with your role?
"Yes. In practice, Coach always wants me to work on my strengths, go out and play hard, defend hard, and to run. I think it's all getting there now. I'm getting more comfortable with my role on the team, I'm trying to do what Coach wants me to do, and do my best with defending and rebounding."
St. Bonaventure Coach Mark Schmidt
Opening statement
"That's a team where a team played very well in George Washington, and a team played very bad in St. Bonaventure. The result is a 28-point defeat. I thought George Washington came out playing really, really well the first 15 minutes. At halftime, they're shooting 75 to 85 percent for 3s; you're not going to beat a team like that. Part of it was them shooting the ball, and part of it was us not guarding them. The things we've been doing well--rebounding, defending--we didn't do that tonight. Give all the credit to George Washington; they came out and played really well."
How do you characterize this stretch run and the battle for the last few spots in the tournament?
"They were probably desperate; they needed a win. But as I told our guys, we need a win too. I thought they came out with a lot more energy and played better than we did. They deserved to win."
Were you surprised that Rob Diggs was so effective from the outside as well as in the paint?
"No, we knew Diggs was a heck of a player, and it was going to be difficult to guard him. The thing we were surprised at was that they shot the ball so well from 3 [point range]. That made us go out more and opened up the middle for them."
How difficult is it to guard Diggs?
"A typical 5-man, especially at this level, is not used to going out and playing the perimeter. When he's hitting those shots, he's difficult because he can put it down as well. He's a 5-man, but in actuality, he's a 4-man, but he can guard a 5. He's a tough matchup and he showed why tonight."
Were you disappointed in your team's lack of effort?
"I don't think it was a lack of effort. George Washington shot the heck out of the basketball, and whatever we did they had an answer for. From a mental standpoint, that's draining."
