Postgame Quotes - UCLA 98, UC Riverside 56
POSTGAME QUOTES
UCLA 98, UC Riverside 56
Pauley Pavilion (Los Angeles, Calif.)
November 30, 2016
UCLA head coach Steve Alford
on getting out to a fast start
Well I think especially at home it's always crucial. You have to let teams know that this is Pauley Pavilion, this is our place, this is our house and we talk about that all the time. The start of each half is so crucial. The finish of each half is so crucial. It does set a mindset. That is our message to the team: mindset, mindset, mindset. I told them I am going to know your mindset in warmups and at the start of the game. I don't know the numbers, but I think it was 13-2 to start the game. That is a good mindset. That is a good start to a game. We did not allow a team to come in here and give them hope right away. They might create it down the line but from the tip I think it is important that we impose what we are trying to do.
on playing tonight inside-out
We obviously didn't light up the zone against Texas A&M and Riverside zoned a little bit during the year. We were kind of anticipating some zone tonight and we didn't get probably more than one possession. And we weren't anticipating four guards. So as soon as we get lineups we only have about ten on the clock and I think the guys just did a tremendous job. We went in and said we are changing our pick and roll coverage and this is what we want to do offensively and they just went out and did it. The ball went inside-out early. Obviously when they go four guards our advantage is inside. TJ and Tom we thought could hurt them but you have to get the ball in there and our guys did a good job of getting the ball inside.
on play of Aaron Holiday
Well it's good. He is always an aggressive player and we love that coming off our bench because it gives us some fire off the bench and some enthusiasm off the bench. We didn't have that last year so that kind of rhythm off our bench is very good and it is much needed. Aaron has done a really good job through eight games of giving us that energy off the bench and obviously really good production tonight.
on team’s mentality heading into game at Kentucky
We are excited about it. We are glad we are 8-0 and undefeated through November. Now we start a difficult stretch of games in December. We've got a championship under our belt, we have taken care of our home games and have played pretty well, and I think we have improved. I think we are better now than what we were when we played Pacific. So that is a key if you want to keep getting better. That is a tall task. Not only is it one of the tougher environments in the country but it's also one of the best teams in the country and they are playing very well. They played extremely well in the Bahamas in their last game out against Arizona State. So you have two teams that are undefeated. Two teams that are both playing well. Two teams that like to play fast. This has all the makings in a national tv game that is going to be quick and you may miss something if you leave your seat. It should be a very exciting game to watch and hopefully we play well.
on anticipating the pace of play at Kentucky
They run the floor as well as anybody. It is kind of our identity too. We are not going to change our identity because we are playing Kentucky and all the sudden go 1-3-1 zone and wall-up. It's just not our DNA. Our players like to get out in the open floor, they like to share the ball, they like to move the ball, and they like to create opportunities for each other and do that in an up tempo style. If it ends up not being enough, so be it. We are not going to change who we are. We are going to Lexington to play the way we play and hopefully we will play well.
UCLA Senior guard Isaac Hamilton
on his strong shooting night
I had some better looks and credit to my guys as the ball was moving so I just took what was available. It comes down to good looks at the end of the day. When the ball moves like that, you’re bound to hit shots like that. Credit to my guys, they moved the ball.
on Lonzo playing more as a facilitator
[My job is to] just run the wing hard, I know [Lonzo Ball] is going to penetrate to make a play. He wasn’t too aggressive shooting wise but he made some great passes.
on upcoming Kentucky game
I don’t have the slightest doubt in my mind about not winning. All we have to do is maintain our game and cut down their transition points. I’m a competitor. I feel like we can run with these guys. We can score in a variety of ways.
UCLA Junior center Thomas Welsh
on team’s quick start
It is important for us to come out strong and get an early lead especially for a team like us that plays with a lot of tempo. It forces teams to play at our pace. I think we did that really well today.
on December schedule
I think [we are ready]. We’ve faced a lot of adversity this past month. We are facing some teams that are extremely talented and extremely well coached. There will be a lot of great tests for us and we’ll be able to see what we are really made of. We are really looking forward to it and see it as an opportunity to keep getting better and keep improving.
on upcoming Kentucky game
I’m sure it will be hectic. I’m sure there will be a lot of rowdy fans there. It should be great, that’s what college basketball is all about. You have two blue blood schools coming together to play. It’s a great opportunity for all of us. We are going to go out there and give it all we’ve got. It’s going to be fun.
UCLA Freshman guard Lonzo Ball
on setting UCLA freshman assist record
It was about game flow. Guys were hitting shots. I was getting them the ball. Everything was clicking tonight. It was a good team effort. I just take what the game gives me. Today, I just found my teammates.
on finding Isaac Hamilton
Isaac [Hamilton] is smart, he knows if he runs he’s going to get the ball. He’s one of the best scorers on the team. He knows that I’m going to get him the ball. He just put it in the basket tonight.
on upcoming Kentucky game
We play the number one team in the country. Obviously, if we go in there and take care of business, we’ll get a lot of national attention. But it’s just a regular season game, it’s not going to make or break the season. We definitely want to go in there and play our best.
UC Riverside Head Coach Dennis Cutts’
on the takeaways from the game
What you really take away is that they’re a really good basketball team, they have great players and an outstanding coach. That’s a good team over there. This has been the hardest four-game stretch, and it’s my fault because I scheduled these games. It just makes it hard when you have a lack of offense. They can score so easy, they put so much pressure on your offense. You just can’t match their offensive potency.
on the last meeting with UCLA
That was a Sweet 16 team. This team is a lot more talented. One through six can hurt you. That team is equipped offensively with things we can’t match. I believe our offense was the best we played in the first half; we just couldn’t make shots. I thought everyone took good shots, but when you have that type of failure (1-of-14), it’s hard. I don’t think we played with confidence like we did several years ago. This is tough, but it will prepare us for conference.
on what the team does moving forward
Take a deep breath, release it. I knew this would be tough, but we have to show progress coming out in the next 10 days These games will help us in the long run. We practice better; it’s hard to see that against UCLA and Utah. I’ve seen enough in practice to know that we’re headed in the right direction.
UC Riverside Senior Guard Gentrey Thomas
on how he tries to maintain his poise
It’s hard; we just have to keep doing the same things we do in practice. Some guys were nervous. We have to step in and make our shots. I played against competition like this before, so I wasn’t fearful. I just tried to be aggressive and if I attack the rim and they block it, they do. It was working in the first half, and I just kept trying to be aggressive and pick my spots.
on what he takes away from this game
We can build on this. Those guys play in high competition all the time. I feel we can use this to attack our Big West Conference. The next six games are crucial. I think after this it opens up our eyes and gives us a little bit of anger to get prepared. I have no days off right now. I have a final tomorrow, and I’m going to study on the bus tonight. There’s no days off, so I’ll be ready for the next 10 days.
UCLA 98, UC Riverside 56
Pauley Pavilion (Los Angeles, Calif.)
November 30, 2016
UCLA head coach Steve Alford
on getting out to a fast start
Well I think especially at home it's always crucial. You have to let teams know that this is Pauley Pavilion, this is our place, this is our house and we talk about that all the time. The start of each half is so crucial. The finish of each half is so crucial. It does set a mindset. That is our message to the team: mindset, mindset, mindset. I told them I am going to know your mindset in warmups and at the start of the game. I don't know the numbers, but I think it was 13-2 to start the game. That is a good mindset. That is a good start to a game. We did not allow a team to come in here and give them hope right away. They might create it down the line but from the tip I think it is important that we impose what we are trying to do.
on playing tonight inside-out
We obviously didn't light up the zone against Texas A&M and Riverside zoned a little bit during the year. We were kind of anticipating some zone tonight and we didn't get probably more than one possession. And we weren't anticipating four guards. So as soon as we get lineups we only have about ten on the clock and I think the guys just did a tremendous job. We went in and said we are changing our pick and roll coverage and this is what we want to do offensively and they just went out and did it. The ball went inside-out early. Obviously when they go four guards our advantage is inside. TJ and Tom we thought could hurt them but you have to get the ball in there and our guys did a good job of getting the ball inside.
on play of Aaron Holiday
Well it's good. He is always an aggressive player and we love that coming off our bench because it gives us some fire off the bench and some enthusiasm off the bench. We didn't have that last year so that kind of rhythm off our bench is very good and it is much needed. Aaron has done a really good job through eight games of giving us that energy off the bench and obviously really good production tonight.
on team’s mentality heading into game at Kentucky
We are excited about it. We are glad we are 8-0 and undefeated through November. Now we start a difficult stretch of games in December. We've got a championship under our belt, we have taken care of our home games and have played pretty well, and I think we have improved. I think we are better now than what we were when we played Pacific. So that is a key if you want to keep getting better. That is a tall task. Not only is it one of the tougher environments in the country but it's also one of the best teams in the country and they are playing very well. They played extremely well in the Bahamas in their last game out against Arizona State. So you have two teams that are undefeated. Two teams that are both playing well. Two teams that like to play fast. This has all the makings in a national tv game that is going to be quick and you may miss something if you leave your seat. It should be a very exciting game to watch and hopefully we play well.
on anticipating the pace of play at Kentucky
They run the floor as well as anybody. It is kind of our identity too. We are not going to change our identity because we are playing Kentucky and all the sudden go 1-3-1 zone and wall-up. It's just not our DNA. Our players like to get out in the open floor, they like to share the ball, they like to move the ball, and they like to create opportunities for each other and do that in an up tempo style. If it ends up not being enough, so be it. We are not going to change who we are. We are going to Lexington to play the way we play and hopefully we will play well.
UCLA Senior guard Isaac Hamilton
on his strong shooting night
I had some better looks and credit to my guys as the ball was moving so I just took what was available. It comes down to good looks at the end of the day. When the ball moves like that, you’re bound to hit shots like that. Credit to my guys, they moved the ball.
on Lonzo playing more as a facilitator
[My job is to] just run the wing hard, I know [Lonzo Ball] is going to penetrate to make a play. He wasn’t too aggressive shooting wise but he made some great passes.
on upcoming Kentucky game
I don’t have the slightest doubt in my mind about not winning. All we have to do is maintain our game and cut down their transition points. I’m a competitor. I feel like we can run with these guys. We can score in a variety of ways.
UCLA Junior center Thomas Welsh
on team’s quick start
It is important for us to come out strong and get an early lead especially for a team like us that plays with a lot of tempo. It forces teams to play at our pace. I think we did that really well today.
on December schedule
I think [we are ready]. We’ve faced a lot of adversity this past month. We are facing some teams that are extremely talented and extremely well coached. There will be a lot of great tests for us and we’ll be able to see what we are really made of. We are really looking forward to it and see it as an opportunity to keep getting better and keep improving.
on upcoming Kentucky game
I’m sure it will be hectic. I’m sure there will be a lot of rowdy fans there. It should be great, that’s what college basketball is all about. You have two blue blood schools coming together to play. It’s a great opportunity for all of us. We are going to go out there and give it all we’ve got. It’s going to be fun.
UCLA Freshman guard Lonzo Ball
on setting UCLA freshman assist record
It was about game flow. Guys were hitting shots. I was getting them the ball. Everything was clicking tonight. It was a good team effort. I just take what the game gives me. Today, I just found my teammates.
on finding Isaac Hamilton
Isaac [Hamilton] is smart, he knows if he runs he’s going to get the ball. He’s one of the best scorers on the team. He knows that I’m going to get him the ball. He just put it in the basket tonight.
on upcoming Kentucky game
We play the number one team in the country. Obviously, if we go in there and take care of business, we’ll get a lot of national attention. But it’s just a regular season game, it’s not going to make or break the season. We definitely want to go in there and play our best.
UC Riverside Head Coach Dennis Cutts’
on the takeaways from the game
What you really take away is that they’re a really good basketball team, they have great players and an outstanding coach. That’s a good team over there. This has been the hardest four-game stretch, and it’s my fault because I scheduled these games. It just makes it hard when you have a lack of offense. They can score so easy, they put so much pressure on your offense. You just can’t match their offensive potency.
on the last meeting with UCLA
That was a Sweet 16 team. This team is a lot more talented. One through six can hurt you. That team is equipped offensively with things we can’t match. I believe our offense was the best we played in the first half; we just couldn’t make shots. I thought everyone took good shots, but when you have that type of failure (1-of-14), it’s hard. I don’t think we played with confidence like we did several years ago. This is tough, but it will prepare us for conference.
on what the team does moving forward
Take a deep breath, release it. I knew this would be tough, but we have to show progress coming out in the next 10 days These games will help us in the long run. We practice better; it’s hard to see that against UCLA and Utah. I’ve seen enough in practice to know that we’re headed in the right direction.
UC Riverside Senior Guard Gentrey Thomas
on how he tries to maintain his poise
It’s hard; we just have to keep doing the same things we do in practice. Some guys were nervous. We have to step in and make our shots. I played against competition like this before, so I wasn’t fearful. I just tried to be aggressive and if I attack the rim and they block it, they do. It was working in the first half, and I just kept trying to be aggressive and pick my spots.
on what he takes away from this game
We can build on this. Those guys play in high competition all the time. I feel we can use this to attack our Big West Conference. The next six games are crucial. I think after this it opens up our eyes and gives us a little bit of anger to get prepared. I have no days off right now. I have a final tomorrow, and I’m going to study on the bus tonight. There’s no days off, so I’ll be ready for the next 10 days.