Texas head coach Rick Barnes post-game quotes
December 23, 2008 | Men's Basketball
Opening Statement:
'This was a really good win for us. We've had some really good wins over the year, but what it is (about this win is) actually coming here in this arena, with their fans (who) are as classy and as good of fans that you could ever want to play in front of. And then obviously the respect I have for Bo Ryan and the way he has done things with this program. I told the players coming in, `This is one of the best places to play college basketball because of the fans, the way you will be treated in a special way, and just everybody from the time you walk in this building.' For us to come in and get a win, which we haven't had much luck up here the last couple times we've been here, but tonight, was a good one for us.'
His thoughts on how Damion (James) stepped up in the second half:
'He really came up big. The defensive end play on the other end was really big. I asked him while they were introducing the players (before the game) how many rebounds (are) you going to get tonight. He said 10. Then I said 10. And then he said, `Well, no, I think it's unlimited tonight.' I think tonight is the highest he has had. And the fact that he got 12 of them on the defensive end is what he needs to do for us. '
'We had a lot of guys (step up for us). We weren't particularly trying to play the smaller lineup. Dogus (Balbay) came in, who really had an effect on the game. It was a great team with everybody. We got back to playing defensively like we were a couple weeks ago.'
His thoughts on Texas' two defensive stops at the end of the game:
'What we were trying to do, because they are such a disciplined and well-coached team, you don't want to get in a half court game where they can come down because they can really cut you up pretty good. We wanted to extend the floor as much as we could to try to disrupt their offense. (Trevon) Hughes was having a terrific night and we tried as much as we could to keep him from getting the ball and tried to get someone else to start their offense, which I think they could. We were just trying to not have to play half court defense the entire possession. I thought we were going down the floor and doing that. On that next to the last (possession) we were just working as hard as we could to keep him (Hughes) from catching the ball and it just happened he turned into Dogus, and Dogus was there to get it.'
