PD Article "Akron Dominates.." ZZZZZZZZZZZESPN Box score
Quotes come courtesy of Rasor's Blog.
Keith Dambrot
“We continue to fight adversity. They went from being a pathetic team compared to what we’ve had, to a pretty decent team. Good leadership. Those four seniors have really led the way with that.”
“Mostly, we played man-to-man and straight zone. Normally, where we play zone, we count numbers and on the fourth pass, we go to man-to-man. The ability to play more than one defense has helped this team. It allows guys like Quincy Diggs and Alex to play more. It’s kept Zeke out of foul trouble.”
“We felt that Miami has had trouble against good zone teams. The first time, we couldn’t play zone. He hadn’t practiced it enough. We used zone to run them off the 3 line and it allowed us to get two guys on Mavunga.”
“I thought Zeke played better. He’s shown signs in practice of rebounding better. We’ve taken pressure off him. We told him to play the best defensively, try not to foul. Sometimes you got to let them grow at their own pace.”
“Nikola’s is one of the best players in the league. He has changed mentally. The guy’s one of the most diversified players I’ve ever had. He’s making the extra pass. He’s like having a point-forward out there. Quincy can do the same thing. So you have four guys who can handle the ball out there.”
“I think we’re playing pretty good right now. I told our guys in the locker room that we’ve gone from the worst team we’ve ever had here to having the capability of being one of the best teams we’ve had. We just have to make sure when we go to Cleveland, that we play good games.” (Dr's favorite)
“We’ve raised the bar here. When you raise the bar to a high level. Nobody can put more pressure on me than me. I’m not happy when we’re 12-10. People have to realize that it’s a game of players. You need to put your guys in position so they’re successful.”
Alex Abreu
“I guess my role is coming in and bringing a spare. Either offensively or defensively, get on the ball and pressure their guards.”
“Our whole demeanor has changed. Practice, locker room, everything. Everybody’s happy now. We don’t want to go back to that losing. It feels horrible.”
Nik Cvetinovic
“Alex had a lot of hustle plays. We didn’t have that at the beginning of the year. We are practicing much harder, with more intensity. Just the feeling of victory for those guys means a lot.”
“Buffalo, coming in, that was one of the games that slipped out of our hands. Ohio, we owe them, big time. That’s going to be a huge challenge. I think we’re up to it.”
“When (Marshall) plays well, we are really hard to beat. Last year, he peaked at this time of the year. Like a true lottery pick.”
“When we get in the huddle, you look at the guys’ eyes, and there’s no doubt we will win the game.”
“Julian (Mavunga) and I are great friends. He loves the challenge of playing against me, and I love the challenge of playing against him, too. Sometimes he likes to flop, but that’s OK, I forgive him (laughs).
Charlie Coles
“The turning point in the game was when they began to mix up their defenses. (Dr's second favorite: I have been an advocate of this since KD got here. More zone.) They completely confused us, and that was my fault. I did not think they would go that long, and I think they found a good thing. At first, they started changing during possessions. I take full responsibility for that. As a coach, you got to get your team better prepared for that kind of stuff.”
“That being said, they turned the tables on us rebounding. Cvetinovic, that kid has got a lot of spirit. Our kids haven’t caught on to him. It’s hard not to root for him. That damn guy’s personality is off the charge. (Someone said, “he loves Julian”) I would love Julian, too.”
“I think we’re seeing the real Akron team. Whatever was plaguing Akron early is not plaguing them now. They’re playing with great interest and enthusiasm. We took our ball and went home with it. When it got tough, we took our ball and said ‘We didn’t know you guys was gonna fight us this hard. We’ll see you later.’”
“We were in first place, I think, tonight. That’s been our problem all year. We get in first place, and someone gets mad at us and beats the hell out of us. Know what I mean? I’m serious.
“I do think Akron’s improved. They’ve done a good job like they always do. Right now, they may be playing the best basketball in the league. That’s OK by me. We don’t have to play them anymore. They’re going to get a few more victories this season.”
“I always hear somebody saying, ‘The MAC ain’t what it used to be.’ Well, it wasn’t ever the Big 10. They say, ‘We don’t have any Ron Harpers.’ I could take you back to a ten-year period without any Ron Harpers.”
