George Washington University Athletics
Postgame Comments: GW vs. Towson
12/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 8, 2010
NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL
December 8, 2010
Towson 67
@ GW 73
Postgame Quotes
GW Coach Karl Hobbs
Talk about the up-tempo style of play tonight.
"We wanted to play that way against Navy, but we were so concerned about them making 3s. Tonight, we just went back to who we are and how we play. We wanted to create tempo, and we wanted to make sure we created some steals, because they're averaging 17-18 turnovers. It allowed us to get some easy baskets, which we needed to get us going a little bit. We needed to be flying all over the place tonight; we might lose the game, but we wanted to make sure our fans are entertained [laughs]."
So Towson's limited bench wasn't a factor?
"We knew that they were limited in the number of guys they could play, which obviously helped the situation. But we wanted to focus on us and get back to our style. We're still going through an adjustment period of playing without Lasan Kromah. Tonight's tempo and pace got us back to the style of play that we want."
Talk about breaking the losing streak as team prepares for finals and the trip to Oregon State.
"It's been a real grind for these guys, just in terms of games and how fast they've come. I really take my hat off to these guys for doing well academically amid all these games and the practice schedule. This win takes the heat off. The guys can go into final exams feeling better about things and not worrying about the losses. The guys have handled it very well, and hopefully they'll get through exams in good shape."
Will making up for Lasan Kromah be a team effort?
"Yes, every night a different guy will have to step up. Tonight, it was Dwayne...His effort spoke volumes about our resilience...That's the kind of effort you're going to see out of our team for the rest of the year, regardless of the scores."
GW Soph. F Dwayne Smith
Talk about how the team has rebounded from the string of losses.
"After the losses, we just got together and made sure we knew what we could improve on. We just stuck together and never got down on each other."
Are you feeling more comfortable with your role as a shooter as well as rebounding?
"Yes, I'm definitely feeling more comfortable with shooting the ball and attacking the forwards. I'm definitely finding my stride."
Do you like playing GW's fast-pace style of play?
"I like it because it gives us fast-break. We'd like to get some more dunks, but we enjoy playing that way."
Towson coach Pat Kennedy
Opening Statement
"Our first key to victory was to not turn the ball over. We know that they're an aggressive, trapping basketball team. [GW] did a good job of staying in their traps, and getting into second and even third traps, so that was pretty impressive...Karl made some pretty good adjustments coming back home and being in the position of having lost a few games in a row. So you have to give them credit for the way they played...You can't turn the ball over against a team like this and expect to be in position to win."
On the play of jr. G Troy Franklin, including his 5 turnovers.
"Against a guard-pressing team, he's obviously going to be one of the guys you're going to key on. We don't need him to score as much as we need him to control the team and get the ball where we need to get it. In the second half, he was getting it into our post guys, which I think showed good composure and strength. But again, you have to credit GW because they kept chasing at us and pushing us away from the basket."
On juggling his lineup.
"[Sr. G Brian Morris] has been struggling a little bit, and we wanted to get [Sr. G Josh Brown] going more than anything else. We also brought [Fr. G Dre Connor] off the bench, but he was turning the ball over as badly as anyone. We have plenty of guards; we just have this tendency to turn the basketball over. You just can't do it."
