George Washington University Athletics
Postgame Comments: Duquesne at GW
2/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 6, 2010
NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL
Feb. 6, 2010
Duquesne 70
@ GW 63
Post-game comments
GW Coach Karl Hobbs Was it deflating to lose so many points on missed layups?
"No, what was deflating was the opportunities we had to control the game--we'd give it right back or someone would take a shot too quick. And when you have a chance at a rebound, but the player goes the other way, that's deflating to me."
Is the team playing good basketball, but not doing enough little things to win games?
"You hit it right on the head. We're playing 32 to 36 minutes of good basketball, and we're playing about 4 minutes of basketball that is really hurting us, and we do some strange things out there."
Does not being rewarded for their effort with a win wear on the players?
"That's a major concern, because with such a young team, they need something to reassure them that they can win games."
Talk about Damian Saunders; was his performance today totally due to his effort?
"It was more of what we did not do. He's a terrific player. Our whole game plan was him was not about points, but to keep him from getting offensive rebounds. And he got 9. And that was the difference in the game--he single-handedly kept them in the game with his rebounds."
Did the snow affect your pre-game preparation?
"No, I'm just disappointed that so many students came out to see us, and we couldn't reward them with a win. That's just as disappointing to me as anything."
What didn't Joseph Katuka play?
"We didn't like the potential match up of him playing Saunders on the perimeter. Had they played more zone or brought their big man in more, we would have played Joseph more."
What happened with Tony Taylor's injury?
"I haven't gotten a medical report yet, but we believe it's a twisted ankle."
Only 4 points of transition points today. Was that a factor?
"We have to be able to generate points in transition, and we had some opportunities, but turned it over. We don't want to get into a half-court kind of game. We're not skilled enough. We have got to find a way to get our transition going, and defend. Their transition, on top of Saunders, were the differences in the game."
Duquesne Coach Ron Everhart
Opening statement
"I'm obviously pleased with the way we played today. Our guys played with a lot of energy and effort. We beat a very good basketball team on their home court today. Every time I thought we were playing pretty good and getting ahead, it seemed like [a GW player] came up with a big basket. You've got to give the GW kids a lot of credit; they played their hearts out today. But I thought [Damian] Saunders was as good as I've ever seen him."
What does it mean to finally get a road win?
"It means a lot. I'd like for it to snow as much is it is every day if it means Saunders plays with that kind of energy. He was phenomenal. He got rebounds today that seemed un-gettable...We've played some very good basketball this year and come away with losses in certain situations, and we've played some games where we haven't played so well down the stretch and come away with some tough losses...It was nice to make some free throws at crucial times, and make some plays at crucial times. We also got some stops down the stretch that were game-altering."
Did the snow affect your pre-game preparation?
"We didn't have any. Our bus got stuck, so we had to get the cab company with escalades to bring us over here. So we didn't have much game-day prep. Maybe I need to rethink all the game day prep we do because we did as well today as we've done all year."
