Washington 81, Western Washington 76
November 08, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2001
WASHINGTON HEAD COACH BOB BENDER
General Remarks:
"That is everything we wanted out of an exhibition game. It is so much better for a team to be in a game like this. We didn't want to start on the road with a game like that like we did last year against SPU. Playing a team like Western who is coming off a season they had last year and with the veterans they had coming back was a really good situation for us to be in. I was really happy with how we responded, had we not been able to win the game, I would have felt just as good because we learned a lot about ourselves tonight. That is what you want out of exhibition and that is why I think we will take some steps from here. We saw a lot of things that we will see during the year. We saw that we were in foul trouble and the adjustments we have to make, while some people stepped up and made big plays. We see our deficiencies, obviously. I saw one thing I was really proud of and that was we finally stood up and took a charge in a big possession, and that was Jeffrey Day. I know it is a little thing, but it is huge to this team, and I hope we realize how critical that was."
On Grant Leep:
"Grant is a rock. His demeanor, his play and the calming effect he had were essential in this game. If you ask the players who their leader and captain is, they will all say, without hesitation, Grant Leep. That is why they voted him captain. By him being a leader now it helps his teammates have confidence in him down the road."
On the team down the stretch:
"The composure was great because we made free-throws and we valued the ball. We had one turnover with one minute left and that certainly has to be addressed. For the most part, we used the clock well and we handled having to scramble. We can't give up a wide-open three and foul to stop the clock, but those are all things we have to clean up."
On Western Washington:
"They are a good basketball team. Even without their leading returning scorer, they are a very good team that is certainly capable of coming right back and more. The addition of their new guys inside really helps them. It is rather interesting for the people in their league are going to say it is like playing against Michael Wright and Loren Woods because that is what they do, they go high-low and set those ball screens. We knew what they would do when they got in their offense that they would go to penetration and kick it out for a wide-open three. That stretch where they went up and took the lead, we couldn't get enough things covered up. It exposes an area, defensively, that we need more work on."
WESTERN WASHINGTON HEAD COACH BRAD JACKSON
General Comments:
"I was really pleased with how we came out in the second half. We didn't shoot very well in the first half. Our guys were very determined. They felt like they could win, and we felt like we could. It hurt us down the stretch when we had a few possessions and didn't come up with anything. The last little series, when they got the rebound of the missed free throw and Leep hit that three, that kind of broke our back. I was real pleased with how our guys did, and I think we have the makings of a very good team."
On being tight:
"One thing to keep in mind is that it's early in the season. It took a while for guys to get into the flow. We didn't shoot it very well. Shelton goes three-for-13, and that's not really him. I thought that we did a pretty good job. I was pleased with oru confidence and toughness. They turned it up late and did a good job."
On Mike Palm:
"Mike Palm's a very good player. He's proven himself at the Division-II level, and I'm sure there are a lot of people who'd like to have him on their team. He's worked hard, he's lost some weight, and he's much stronger this year. He's extremely coachable. He'll continue to get better. He has a bright future in basketball. He's a very good player and he's going to have an awesome year."
On being hungry:
"Our guys are very focused, very excited about the season. These guys truly enjoy each other. Almost every time we play, you're going to see four or five guys in double figures, and it's going to be different guys every night. They're very focused, very hungry, and excited to see what they can do."
