University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC-Clemson Postgame Quotes
March 16, 2008 | Men's Basketball
March 16, 2008
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Post Game Celebration
Head Coach Roy Williams
Opening Statement:
"It's a great feeling for our kids and we beat a really, really good Clemson team. They are one of the best teams in the country. We were lucky the first two times we beat them. Today, I think we played better than we did either one of the two times. It was a great experience for our kids. Wayne (Ellington), Marcus (Ginyard) and Tyler (Hansbrough) making the all-tournament team. For us, it was all about rebounding and playing defense. I think rebounding-wise, we did come to the challenge because they are a great rebounding team. We turned it over a bit more than we wanted to, but we also got some baskets by attacking their press (defense). We feel ecstatic about winning this. It was a great feeling and a very satisfying feeling for us."
On the possibility of playing NCAA games in North Carolina:
"I realized that every Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday when I met with the press this month, that's all we talked about. I don't think it's an advantage. I really don't. It's an advantage if you play well."
On the North Carolina fast break system:
"I like it. My foundation in coaching came from Coach (Dean) Smith, but I like it even faster, I like it even more aggressive. I like for us to attack even more. I do like that approach to basketball and we teach it everyday."
Wayne Ellington
On his strong play in the tournament:
"I got into a pretty good rhythm from the first day and I think I just went from there. I am feeling very confident right now."
Tyler Hansbrough
On the benefit of playing close games in the tournament:
"First of all, I think it really prepares us because we know in the tournament every team is going to be tough. When we came out here this week, these teams played really tough and really aggressive. We did well, and I think that's the type of atmosphere we'll face in the tournament."
Quentin Thomas
On winning the ACC Championship:
"It meant a lot. Just because in this league, it's not guaranteed you are going to win a tournament like this. There are so many talented teams that are well coached but we know that we have a lot of talent. It's a good feeling but we feel that it is not enough. We want to achieve one more goal, and that is a National Championship."
