University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC vs. Vermont Post-Game Quotes
December 19, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2002
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UNC Head Coach Matt Doherty
"I thought some of the guys did a really good job of being unselfish. We passed up some shots I wouldn't mind us taking in other games. In the second half I told them, 'I don't want a shot unless the ball goes inside first.' And they really listened."
"If [Vermont] had their two best players, it could have been a little different game."
On the frequent substitutions he made...
"I was just trying to give our guys a little rest. I think the backups deserve time for the way they've practiced, and I wanted to give them time. I thought they did a good job."
On Jackie Manuel...
"He played great. Most people judge on shooting - Jackie's been playing great. Tonight, it was an added bonus when he shot 4-5 from the three-point line. I thought he was just all over the place."
On what the team worked on during the 12-day break...
"I was hard because we had exams and then we had guys hurt. So, we did not have a full roster until the day before the game. So, it was hard to work on things. We basically worked on our man-to-man defense in the halfcourt. We also worked on our freelance offense and our secondary break. "
"I think we got winded a little bit because we hadn't played as much. I think some guys, since they hadn't practiced much in the last 12 days due to injury, showed some fatigue, and that was another reason why I wanted to sub a little bit more."
On Carolina's defensive...
"I have to realize that we'll probably never play the perfect game defensively, but, for the most part, I was really pleased with our defensive intensity."
On the effects of the final exam break ...
It was good for us. It was a learning process - everything we do is a learning process. We did a good job, got exams over with - it was a long break.
On practices over the last week and a half ...
In practice the intensity level was a little higher. No likes to lose, especially these guys. It is not in our nature. We came out and took it to each other in practice. One time Jackie (Manuel) came in and tried to dunk on me and Jawad (Williams) and we laid him on his back. He got up and came back again the next play. That type of passion for the game is great and I love it.
On head coach Matt Doherty's intensity in practice ...
We are too far into the season for him to let things go. He is jumping on us, getting on us, I think it helps we get out and get at it. With his intensity and Coach Mac(Kinnon)'s intensity it just brings our level higher.
Jackie Manuel
On his behind-the-back pass to spring Felton on a fast break:
Raymond knocked the ball away and his guy fell on the ground and I tried to get the ball to him as quick as possible. I just went behind my back
On his fast start in the game ...
I felt good from the beginning today. I was just so ready to get out there and play. It is real easy to play when your shot is falling. Guys have to play the big man or the shot, they have to give up one.
On getting the sixth win ...
It feels good to win and we want to keep that up.
Rashad McCants
On playing after the final exam break:
We had to bring the big time energy. Being off so long and practicing so hard, it is just a pay off to get out there and play.
On playing the first ACC game at Florida State ...
We are not worried about it being our first ACC road trip or anything like that. We are just taking it as another game. We have to play our hearts out every game like it is our last. We can't focus on whether it is an ACC game or a non-conference game.
On the fast start vs. Vermont ...
We try to do that every game - come out and set the tone early. Some games we don't and some games we do, but we have to be consistent with it. Once we set the tone just keep biting on it until the end.
Vermont Head Coach Tom Brennan
"Matt Doherty learned a lot of great things from Dean Smith. One of the apparent things he learned from him was grace. We were dead. That game could have been a hundred and he subbed those five guys and kind of let us get our legs a little bit. I said to Bobby (MacKinnon) at halftime, 'That was a very gracious move.'"
"Here is a guy under a world of pressure and everybody wants to know this and wants to know that and he could have buried us anyway he wanted to. He was very kind. I don't mean to be demeaning to the people that he put in, but the other guys were just going so well. They were just rolling and the place was nuts and I just can't thank him enough."
"In 30 years in this business that's as graceful of a thing that I've ever had happen to me. It could have been bad. We got to the point where we got our legs a little bit and did some things well and that was that. Again, not to make excuses, but we had the Player of the Year out and the Rookie of the Year out."
"I think our kids got a little shook. It's apparent when you come into a place like this and they have the music, the Sports Illustrated covers ... I just put my hands over my guys eyes so they couldn't see anything."
"This is a class organization and you have a classy coach and you have a great team. You have a Carolina team again. I just want to thank them."
