University of North Carolina Athletics
Postgame Quotes
March 12, 2004 | Men's Basketball
March 12, 2004
Roy Williams
Head Coach University of North Carolina
(Opening statement)
Needless to say we don't feel very good right now. You have to congratulate Jarrett Jack and Tech. He made a big shot and they made a play when they had to make it. It's hard, I feel like I've been congratulating people for making big plays in games all year, so that part's not easy.
In the first half we did not play well at all. We were just not any good on either end of the court, I felt very lucky to be only down three at halftime. In the second half, we got off to a good start and then they made their run and we were hanging around. We were down 11 and (I) really was pleased and impressed with my team, with the way they fought and made plays. They made shots, made steals, got offensive rebounds and played basketball the way I've seen us play for several times during the season.
We didn't do a good enough job defensively to get somebody in Jarrett Jack's face on that last shot. It was a shot that he still had to make, but we didn't guard it the we would've liked to. We would've liked to have had someone in front of him so he could shoot it over their hands, but it wasn't there.
(On his team's balance)
I'd like to have more balance. I look and see that Tech had five guys in
double figures and one of those guys was coming off the bench. That's a big
positive. I think the best teams have great balance. Melvin has been
struggling lately and couldn't get it in there. Jackie was in foul trouble
coming off the bench. If you have three guys that do a great job, a lot of
times that's enough. But I do think it would be more important to have five
guys.
(On looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament)
I wish I could put a finger on why we're not into it as much at certain
times. In the first half, we're taking horrible shots and they're getting
layups. At one point we put Jesse in and they had three straight
possessions where they didn't get a layup because we got over the screen as
we worked on all week. But if you're a competitive youngster and you've left
something on the table throughout the season, in my mind, you better be darn
sure there is nothing left on the table and I'm hopeful that my team will
have that kind of attitude.
(On defense of the last play)
We thought they would set a screen on the ball because they had been so
effective with that in the first half. We were switching everything on
every screen. That was our plan. We didn't run the double team because if
you do there is someone automatically open. We were trying to play straight
man-to-man. We covered a couple of things. But a lot of times in
basketball, broken plays are the best and big-time players have to make
big-time plays. I think that's what Jarret did. We felt like we had a good
plan, but they still made the play.
(On the importance of the ACC Tournament and comments made earlier this week)
I didn't say I didn't like the Tournament, I said I wasn't in love with it.
When I got up the next day and read some of those articles, I was really
quite surprised. I made a statement of fact that it wasn't as much fun as
it was in the old days. Those of you who were there, know that is true. We
were the granddaddy of them all. We were special and nobody else did it.
Secondly, I said it was not as important. I don't think that should be
taken out of context that Roy hates the Tournament. I don't think it's as
important as it used to be because the only team that left out of here and
went on to the NCAA Tournament was the winner. I've told every team that
I've ever coached, that we're playing in the dad-gum thing and let's win it
and have a great time while we're here. If I'm a fan, I love the
Tournament, but I'm not a fan. I care about how North Carolina does.
(On the comeback and the final minute of play)
We knew that we hadn't played the way we wanted to play in the first half. We kind of dug ourselves into a hole. Coach (Williams) talked about, "if you guys want to go home tonight then sit back and keep playing the way you want to play, but if you want to do something special then let's go out there and get this done." We came out of the huddle with about 7:50 left on the clock with a lot more enthusiasm and a little more bounce in our step. We just got after it.
(On his final two free throws)
Every player sits at home and dreams about making the big free throws to win the game and I felt confident going to the line. I was actually happy I got fouled because I knew I could go up there and get two free throws. I went up there and shot the first one and I knew as soon as it left my hand that it was a little too hard. Raymond came to me and I told him don't worry about it I can hit this next one and we can go down and play defense. I hit the second one. But those two free throws weren't the reason we lost the game. The way we played in the first half, we just can't have that if we want to be the type of team that Coach wants us to be.
Is this the kind of game that you expected coming into the ACC tournament?
"Of course; games that go right down to the wire and big plays are going to win this game."
What were the team's thoughts heading into this game about what Georgia Tech had to offer and did you see, from them, what the team expected?
"Yes, we did. We knew that it would be a tough game, but we knew that
we had the personnel. At the end, they just made a big play."
Last play of the game:
"We were supposed to switch every screen, but somehow Jarrett Jack got
wide open at the top of the key and knocked it down."
What does the team take from this defeat?
"A loss, simple as that. I don't believe in moral victories, we lost
and now we have to go back to the drawing board and get ready to play."
How is your hip?
"Sore."
On the second-half rally:
"We showed great poise. We came back, we played together, we made big
plays, and we started defending. That is how we came back. All we have
to do is play forty minutes like that and we would have no problem. If
we could have done that we wouldn't have lost the game today. It is our
fault."
Where do you think the team lost the game?
"In the first-half, the way we played. We were behind, we were playing
catch-up and in the second half we started playing better, but we were
still behind and they were still hitting shots. We made that big run
the last eight minutes and regained the lead, but with a team like that
you can't play that way against them. You have to play all forty
minutes. They hit a big shot at the end."
Talk about the frustration to regain the lead and then to lose like that:
"It was frustrating to lose. To think about how hard we fought to come
back and then to lose like that, it is a lost. It speaks for itself.
No matter what we did to come back, we didn't win. It really doesn't
matter."
Talk about how quickly you need to regroup to get ready for the NCAA tournament:
"I think that right now we are eager. We know that if we want to keep playing, we have to win."
Paul Hewitt
Head Coach Georgia Tech
(Opening statement)
"It is an outstanding win for our team. We beat a very, very good basketball team. With Felton hurting a little bit, and the rest of the guys were a little bit banged up, it would have been easy for them when they were down 11 to just pack it in and play for next week. They really stepped up their defense. They had us scrambling and took us out of our flow. It was an outstanding comeback on their part. As far as the last play is concerned, that was just a player bailing out a coach. The play we had set up got totally busted. He (Jarrett Jack) had the presence of mind to get the ball to Marvin (Lewis) and he moved to get open. He just made a play. That is something we work on all the time in individual instruction. It was just a totally busted play. He just bailed me out. Now we have the opportunity to play against another quality opponent tomorrow.
(On Luke Schenscher)
From my perspective he is the most improved player in this league. There were times last year when I would have to sit him down and tell him he was more frustrated with his play than I was. He is making good progress. We happened to have a kid in front of him that was the fourth pick in the draft. It was tough for him. I don't know if you guys remember, but at ACC Media Day, I told you we had as much depth, if not more depth in the frontcourt than anyone in this league. I'm glad he has made me look like I know what I'm talking about. He is a good player. I'm not surprised at his performance.
(On Atmosphere of ACC Tournament)
It is a great atmosphere for these players. You only get to go through this one time if you are a player. As coaches, we are going to be fortunate enough to coach a lot more games. I always remind our guys that this is the time to enjoy the moment. There was no better moment for this team, and, in particular, Jarrett Jack than what happened about 20 minutes ago.
Sophomore, Jarrett Jack
(On the last play)
We drew a play to try and get Isma'il (Muhammad) a lob on the bask side. I didn't think he was quite open so I threw it to Marvin (Lewis). I know the clock was ticking down, so I tried to give Marvin a passing angle. I went in there and made a play and luckily the shot went in. When I threw it in to Marvin they kind of left me. The defense was kind of scrambled and I just tried to find a way to get myself open and be able to make a play going to the basket.
(On the game-winning shot)
When it left my hand it looked good. It was on target, but I really didn't know it was in until after it went through the net.
(On the feeling of hitting a game-winning shot)
This is what we all dream about. Coming to the ACC, playing in the big tournament, being the hero, and knocking down the shot to move your team on to the next round.
Junior, Luke Schenscher
(On his effort against Sean May)
I had a down game against Florida State, so I felt I had to come to this game and prove something to myself and my teammates. I knew I had to get back to that form that I had shown in the past. I just tried to get into that zone, concentrate on the game and nothing else. I was just there and active and doing what I needed to do.
(On confidence going against Duke)
We know they are going to come out hard since we beat them last time. It's going to be a real tough battle. They've won the most ACC titles, so they know what they're doing here. We've got to come out hard and get one on them.
