Postgame Comments: GW vs. Temple
3/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 7, 2009
NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL March 7, 2009
Temple 63
@ GW 53
Post-game comments
GW Coach Karl Hobbs
How much did the slow start affect the rest of the game?
"I felt that we needed to get off to a good start because they're just too good of a basketball team. I had some concerns about not falling behind too early. At the end of the day, we just gave up too many offensive rebounds...Then we really struggled putting the ball in the basket. We went through a stretch where the only guy that can make a shot was Damian [Hollis]."
Is it hard on a team when they're doing what they're supposed to do, yet still giving up a lot of rebounds?
"I just felt we didn't make a strong enough commitment to going after the ball. We were so concerned about their 3-point shooting that our guards weren't getting back into play to get the long rebounds."
Talk about the importance of the seniors to the team.
"Rob [Diggs] with his ability to score obviously kept us in a lot of games this year. Noel [Wilmore] is a guy who's done everything I've asked of him. I only wish I could have played him more minutes. And obviously [Wynton Witherspoon] transferring in--it's always difficult when guys transfer in because that first year is such an adjustment from being away from basketball for that period of time. And this year was really an up-and-down year for him; he really struggled with the team. And Johnny Lee is a special young guy. He's a guy who's a walk-on and probably the smallest guy in the league, but when he comes in the game, he has an impact. I'm very proud of what he's given us over the past three years."
How do you feel about missing the A-10 Tournament?
"For me, it's very disappointing. Obviously, when you're accustomed to being on top of the league and competing and [being talked about a lot], and also when you're as competitive as I am, it's very difficult."
Was there any talk before the game about whether GW still had a chance?
"No. I'm sure the players knew about it, but we didn't talk about it."
How did you keep the team motivated at halftime even though this was a no-win kind of game?
"There's never a no-win situation in any basketball game. When you're keeping score, there's something at stake. At halftime, we talked about what we could do in the game. As far as results of the other games, that didn't come into play."
Did you pick up on any disappointment by the team that they ended the season this way?
"I'm sure they're very disappointed, obviously, not going to the tournament. When you put in that kind of time and effort and don't get the opportunity to go to your league tournament, I'd think everyone's disappointed."
Would you like the [Atlantic 10 Conference] to change the format so that all 14 teams qualify for the A-10 Tournament?
"No, I really don't. I know the league is talking about doing some different things, but I like the format. We have to get better and get the program back to where it needs to be."
Do you feel any pressure because the program has fallen so far from the 27-3 season?
"I don't feel any pressure, but what I do feel is that I'm a very competitive guy. And being competitive is what drives me. My will to succeed is what drives me. That kind of talk is for you guys to write about and to speculate, which is fine. For me, it's my competitiveness and my will to want to succeed."
Temple Coach Fran Dunphy
The team didn't shoot well, but offensive rebounds played a big part in the win.
"There are not going to be a lot of nights when we get 25 offensive rebounds. It was just a freaky thing. We shot a lot of long 3s where we had a decent look, and the ball just seemed to fall in somebody's lap. That was beneficial. And I thought Lavoy [Allen] was very good on the glass."
Was your potential position in the tournament a concern?
"The only thing you're worried about is win the game that's at hand. And that was all we were worried about with GW, coming here and playing our best basketball. I don't think we played very well, but we were good enough to get a win on the road, and we'll take it. But in terms of who we're going to play, you have no control over that. By the time we get to practice on Monday, we'll know what the match-up is between the two teams, and we'll get the winner, and just go from there."
Was the large number of 3s part of your game plan?
"Sometimes the defense tells you that's what you're going to shoot. I didn't think very many of them were forced at all. I think all teams want to be inside-out. We did get the ball down to Serge [Olmos] a couple of times. Late in the game he had a nice jump hook in the lane. The ball didn't go, but sometimes the game just dictates what you do and today was just one of those games."
