University of North Carolina Athletics
Post Game Quotes
March 28, 2009 | Men's Basketball
March 28, 2009
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North Carolina Senior Guard Bobby Frasor
On the pace of the game:
To start the game off, it was crazy. I looked up at the clock after the first four minutes to see what the teams were shooting and we're both shooting 80 percent. That's not ideally what we want to defend like. As far as offensively, we don't want to get up and down and get quick shots that are good shots and get the ball inside. I think we did that over the course of the game in the long run.
On the offensive balance from the perimeter to the interior:
It's huge for us because we're so deep. We're not really deep right now, but we're so diverse as to where we can score inside. Making threes with Danny (Green), Ty (Lawson) myself and Wayne (Ellington) and then with Tyler (Hansbrough), Deon (Thompson) and Ed (Davis) inside it just makes us a tough team tonight. I don't even think tonight we got the best performances from our inside guys, so we have room to improve.
Looking ahead to Sunday and that matchup (against Oklahoma):
Right now we'll just enjoy this. Coach always tells us to enjoy it until midnight, and then we'll get our minds focused and get ready to play a great Oklahoma team with a big time player.
North Carolina Freshman Guard Larry Drew II
The turning point of the game:
It started with the first half. I think we played a great first half. We made a couple of mistakes. Even with our mistakes, we were still up 15-20 points in the half. Coming into the second half, they made a little run. I think the turning point was Bobby (Frasor) hitting those two big threes for us. It's just that they were trying to make a run that we just fought right back. I think that's something that makes this team great is we have the ability to just keep pushing. No matter how hard another team might push at us we're always going to push harder.
On preparing for Oklahoma:
The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Oklahoma is Blake Griffin. He's a beast on the inside. I think the coaches are going to think of a good game plan designed mainly to keep it out of his hands. They are a great ballclub. I think we just need to go out there and play our game, and if we do that, the score will take care of itself.
North Carolina Forward/Guard Danny Green
On the game being a perfect ten:
It was close, but I wouldn't say it was a 10. I'd say it was an eight. We still have some things that we have to work on. We've got to play better because it is going to get tougher and tougher as we go on.
On the team getting better each game:
It is very encouraging. The next game is the next game. You can't think that everything is going to carry over from the last game.
On getting his shot back:
I missed a few easy ones that I normally make, but I hit a couple. That gave me some confidence.
On the start to the game:
I think we started out okay. We felt like we weren't playing as good of defense as we wanted to. They hit a lot of shots early on. We did a better job of pressuring them (later in the game).
Guard Ty Lawson
On his early start:
They left me open at the three-point line, so I just took the shots and I made them. I just got in a groove from then on.
On his overall offensive game:
When I'm knocking down threes, it is easier for me to get to the basket because they have to honor the three. Early in the first half, I did a pump fake, took a couple of dribbles and hit a shot. My three's opened up my game a lot more.
On his health:
It's just a little bit of soreness and things like that. I'm pretty much able to do everything I used to be able to do (before the injury).
On his injury during the game:
I rolled my left ankle a little bit because I put so much pressure on my left foot. I did the same thing in the LSU game, but it's not that bad. It wasn't my toe (that was injured).
Gonzaga Senior Guard Micah Downs
Thoughts on playing your last game as a Gonzaga Bulldog:
"First and foremost, I'm just going to miss all of these guys. I'll miss the atmosphere. I'm going to miss Spokane and all you guys back in Spokane, I'm going to miss you guys. I mean the fans are big time. The coaching and the families and the teammates, you can't get any better. Tonight they just came out like they were set on getting to the National Championship. They are going to do it, especially if they play like this. They just have so many guys that can do so many different things. It is tough to match up with. We talked about doing things and we just couldn't get it done."
Gonzaga Junior Guard Matt Bouldin
The season is over, but you got back to the Sweet 16, it is not like it is a failure, right?
"No definitely not, I mean we got back to Sweet 16. We legitimately had a chance to win this game. Obviously things didn't go so well tonight. We went undefeated during the last part of the season. We had a great WCC (West Coast Conference) tournament. Everybody grew as players and people. Overall it was a great season."
Did they do anything that you weren't anticipating?
"They came out hot. Every one of their guys was just knocking down shots. I don't think we were expecting them to shoot it like that. They are just a great team."
Gonzaga Senior Forward Ira Brown
On his senior season:
"It's been a great season working with these guys. The hardships and the positives we've been through all year with each other is going to be missed on the court, but it doesn't end here as far as brothership. It's amazing to be with guys like this."
On North Carolina:
"They're a tremendous team. They executed well. The thing we didn't do is defend like we're capable of doing. That took a toll, but at the same time, I don't take anything from North Carolina. They're a great team."
Gonzaga Sophomore Guard Steven Gray
On the game:
"They did all the things they needed to do to win. They pushed the ball and got easy buckets, they attacked us and drew fouls and finished out their plays."
"Both teams started out with all their shots falling. You knew it would stop at some point, but then they started attacking. (Ty) Lawson gets in the lane and gets fouled. He got a runner, twirling, on another drive. Hansbrough's last play at the end of the first half-you see them do this all the time, but it's still amazing to see. You have to think it's going to stop, but they kept going."
