Texas Tech University Athletics
Kansas 90, Texas Tech 50
March 09, 2002 | Men's Basketball
March 9, 2002
Head Coach BOBBY KNIGHT
On the loss to Kansas:
"We were beaten by a much better team and we were tired from the beginning. We're not a real strong team when it comes to stamina and everything caught up with us."
On the Kansas team:
"I think they're the best team we've faced this year."
On KU's defense:
"They're very good defensively. If I were trying to pinpoint one thing, it's that you become concerned about stopping the break and then you're concerned about defending the post play and then you forget about the emphasis that you have to put on movement and sharpness to get open because they play very well."
JUNIOR GUARD NICK VALDEZ
On what it will take to beat KU:
"You can't make mistakes because anytime you do they will capitalize."
On his team's approach to the second half:
"We weren't playing well and coach wanted to get some playing time for the rest of the guys to help get them some experience for the (NCAA) Tournament."
On the Big 12 Tournament:
"We got two good wins here and we're happy about that. That helps our seed (in the NCAA Tournament)."
JUNIOR FORWARD KASIB POWELL
On looking forward to a possible NCAA bid:
"It's definitely something we're looking forward to. This year has been a big accomplishment for us. We've showed a lot of people that we are good."
On preparing for Kansas:
"I think its almost impossible to prepare for them."
SENIOR CENTER ANDY ELLIS
On today's game:
"I don't think it's all that discouraging that we didn't play well today and we're just gonna have to put the game behind us."
Head Coach ROY WILLIAMS
On the game:
"Needless to say, we played very well. This was Tech's third game in the past three days and I think the fatigue factor just caught up with them. We were still pretty fresh and everything turned positive for us and everything turned negative for them."
On Kansas defense:
"I can almost name the games that we have played good defense. The biggest factor is our focus. I don't want to get too excited about how we played defensively. I think it was because Tech has played for three straight days and their legs were tired."
On Aaron Miles:
"Aaron's focus definitely has gotten better but he still has a long way to go. Offensively, he has made some good decisions. His decision making has gotten better and better."
On NCAA #1 seed:
There aren't a whole lot of numbers between the #1 seed and the #two. I think it comes down to a pride thing."
JUNIOR FORWARD NICK COLLISON
On point guard Aaron Miles:
"He did a great job of finding people in transition. He likes to play in transition and we feel we're at our best when we play that and he plays very well on the break."
On their confidence after today's game:
"This helps for our confidence in our defense. This shows we can play and how fun it is. This was good for the mental part of the game and we don't have to worry until tomorrow."
On Texas Tech center Andy Ellis:
"He's a tough player to defend because he rolls of f picks and screens. I had to try to be patient and intense at the same time. We did a good job and they missed some shots early. That got them out of their rhythm."
JUNIOR FORWARD DREW GOODEN
On the game:
"We could have let down, but I've never won a tournament championship here and I want to win it all."
On KU's defense today:
"We played defense very well today. It was an opportunity for us to show what we've learned in practice throughout the year."
FRESHMAN GUARD KEITH LANGFORD
On his play:
"It's confidence. I've been playing real hard in practice. Coach Williams is giving me a chance and I'm just trying to take advantage of it."
SENIOR FORWARD JEFF CAREY
On their play:
"I wish we could always play this well. This is the best we've played since I've been here."
"A lot of our starters have been able to rest and that should be to our advantage."
