George Washington University Athletics
Postgame Comments: GW vs. Bowie State
11/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 6, 2010
NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL
November 6, 2010
Bowie St. 64
GW 82 (exhibition)
Postgame Quotes
GW Coach Karl Hobbs
Talk about some of the successes in this game.
"I think the biggest success is that we were able to get easier shots. We took a good number of 3s. Some of them weren't a good variety, but the important thing is that we got them up...We transitioned very well, and finished well. We could've done a better job at containing dribble penetration. We got beat far too many times off the point of attack. And we didn't move our feet quick enough. As a result, we end up fouling a lot. And that's a big concern..."
On having 16 turnovers in a preseason game.
"Obviously having that many turnovers in this kind of game, you don't like to see. If early in the season, we have 16 turnovers and we're playing at a very fast pace, I'll probably be pleased with that as long as those turnovers aren't giving it right back to them and they're getting layups off of them."
What are your goals for the season?
"Well obviously, we'd like to win more games, and we'd like to win the A-10 tournament. But we want to see how the players grow early on. After 9 games of the season, we'll evaluate what's been good, and what's been bad, and maybe make some changes in the line-up. But the main thing is that we get better as a team."
Nemanja Mikic saw a lot of playing time today. Was that planned?
"I wanted to give him a lot of minutes today, because I want to get him ready for what's to come. I want to get a sense of how well he can play when he's tired, can he still rebound....I'm hoping to play him those kinds of minutes."
GW Soph. G Tim Johnson
What's it like to be playing again at the start of a new season?
"It was a great feeling to be back on the court. There's a lot of energy going around....I liked the way I got points, from my teammates cutting and executing well."
Bowie State Coach Darrell Brooks
What's it like coming back to coach against GW? "It was obviously a little bit strange. I started to walk to the home bench and they had to point me to the visitors' bench [laughs]. But it was a very special feeling. Bowie State's my alma mater, but GW is my second home. I was proud to come in today as a head coach."
Was there more pressure for you today?
"No more than any other game that I go into. I just wanted my team to play hard, play together, and execute. We're a team that's a work in progress, and we have the opportunity to be a good team as we get guys back. We had three guys out today. I think we have a chance to be good this year, but there was no specific pressure because I'm here."
Having only nine players seemed to limit what you could do.
"Yes, and this is the second game where that happened. We played Wednesday against George Mason, and again, a pretty good first half. But we're just limited in bodies, and the bodies that weren't here are obviously good players. We have three starters who are out, but that's just part of the game. These guys have to learn that when a guy is out, that's an opportunity, and we have to be able to play through and focus through fatigue."
What were your interactions with Coach Hobbs?
"Coach Hobbs and I are close friends, and he gave me a terrific opportunity 10 years ago to come here and help him build a very special program. Nothing different; we talk a lot during the week anyway. We didn't talk as much this week, but we'll talk right after I get out of here. I think he has the potential to have a very good basketball team. His team reminds me of the days when Pops [Mensah-Bonsu] and the others were young. He's got young talent; they need time to grow, and I think he's going to do a good job with those guys."
How did coaching at GW as an assistant prepare you for being a head coach?
"Coach Hobbs allows his assistants to coach and grow. When I was here, he gave me a lot of opportunities to think and do things as a head coach would. After eight years, I picked up a lot here. You watch various styles of play. I want us to be a pressure basketball team, to be able to run up the floor, and attack you. There are similarities there. But again, it was a special opportunity that he gave me, and I learned a lot from him over the eight years."
