POSTGAME QUOTES
UCLA 113, Montana State 78
November 14, 2014
UCLA Head Coach Steve Alford
“I'm pleased with our guys' effort. I thought we played really well in the scrimmage and we really carried that forward into tonight. We were very explosive. I loved how the ball moved for an opener. We had 25 assists in the game; we shot 57, almost 58 percent and the points, to get over 50 in both halves in an opener. I just thought we did a lot of good things. The starters got us going and I thought we got a lot of good production from our bench. Our bench came in and matured and grew up a little bit tonight, that was good to see. We're going to need to continue to see that develop, but for an opener, I don't know if I could have asked for more. Our guys did a lot of good things throughout the night.”
On Kevon Looney's efficient effort
“Well, he just gets fouled. He's done it one exhibition game, one scrimmage and now in the opener. He's leading us at the free-throw line by a lot right now as far as attempts; he's got a knack for that. He rebounds the basketball, he runs in transition and he's always in the right spot at the right time. He's just a guy that we all really enjoy watching as he continues to develop. He makes a three, so he's getting that inside-outside game going. You shoot that many free-throws, you're doing an awful lot of work.”
On Bryce Alford's performane
“[Bryce has] incredible confidence in the ability to run a team. Last year was great for him to be able to play on a team that he got to play on and come off the bench and give us a spark. Now, that role is changing to where he's the guy that has to lead and do a lot of things. I thought he was terrific. He moved the ball. He made guys better and I think that's what really good players can do. Not only did he have 12 assists, but I'd say eight or nine of those were assists to wide open shots. There's even a difference in assist when you can create offense for a teammate and do it easy. He knocked down shots. He's been shooting at a really high level in practice. I thought his decision making was really good and it's the first time in his college career that he had to deal with foul trouble. I thought he did a really good job of managing that, especially in the first half. That's a good sign because we need him on the floor.”
UCLA guard Norman Powell
“It just felt like we had to get settled tonight. It was the first game and we had the jitters. It took us a while to get started. We got going in transition and that really got us going in the game.”
On his freshman teammates' performances
“Kevon [Looney] is going to be really good. He's long and gets great rebounds. Thomas is a spot up shooter from 17 feet and in. He hits a lot of shots. He's going to be a great player.”
On the transition game
“Talking and helping was much better than our exhibition game. Once we really talked and trusted in each other, we were able to get going in transition.“
UCLA guard Bryce Alford
“It was a good start to the season. Isaac [Hamilton] did a great job running point. He's just as capable as I am.”
On early foul trouble
”We went to a 2-3 zone to eliminate me getting that third foul. I have to be smarter and not get those early fouls. I just have to make sure I play a smarter game.”
How last year helped him as a player
“Getting to the Sweet 16 last season really helped me. That experience of playing that first year really was good for me. Kyle [Anderson] really took me under his wing last season and helped me. That first year experience really helped my game.”
UCLA forward Kevon Looney
“I did pretty well tonight. I got off to a rough start. After I got subbed out, the game came much better for me. I really have to work on my free throws. I still had some jitters this game.”
On the play of the frontcourt
“When Thomas [Welsh] got his first dunk, I think that got his game going. We got our legs underneath us and that helps us out with our game.”
On finishing with nine rebounds (one shy of a double-double)
”That was my goal, to get 10 rebounds per night. Tony and I always challenge each other about who'll get the most rebounds.”
On playing with three guards
“Playing with three guards has really helped my game. It's given me opportunities to hit open mid-range and 3 point shots. Also, the game is much faster than in high school, so that's been a transition for me."
Montana State Head Coach Brian Fish
“UCLA played great tonight but It's too early to see how good they will be. They really got after it tonight. The Pac-12 put nine guys in the pros last year, and I thought Norman Powell was the best player in the conference when I was at Oregon.”
On sophomore guard Bryce Alford
“I don't know what you media guys are talking about. Bryce Alford is a really good player. He might play in the league one day. I read how the media thinks he plays because he's the coach's son, but he is a heck of a player. He ran the show tonight and is a real competitive guy.”
On tonight's performance from his team
“We can throw this game on film and look at it. We can build from this. There's a long season ahead of us.”