Howard-Oregon Post-game Quotes
12/20/05 | Men's Basketball
Head Coach Ernie Kent
On Tonight's game
"We came out with a great intensity and gave a great effort. We were playing together and we did a nice job of keeping focus in a big blowout. In games like this it can be hard to stay focused and we were able to stay sharp."
On Aaron Brooks:
"Aaron played a great game and had a double-double for us, his first. He just played outstanding basketball. I am excited about the 10 points but much more excited about the 10 assists."
On the Team Making Good Passes:
"We had 25 assists on 35 baskets, I will take that any time. We preach to the team to make good passes and we really did that tonight."
On the Transition Game:
"The transition game and defense opened up our offense. When we can get stops and move the ball out it will lead to easy baskets and that helps us get into the flow of the game."
On The Game's Dynamic:
"The game was very guard-oriented. We went small and had some of our guys out of position, which may have slowed us down some but not too much. Everyone played through that and stayed focused."
On Adrian Stelly:
"Adrian is a player, he has made himself a player by working hard in practice and we will need him to start logging minutes, so it is good that we can work him into situations like this. He played well defensively and helped shut down (Howard guard Darek) Mitchell."
Oregon Players' Quotes:
Aaron Brooks, #0, G
"Our passion is up. In the first couple of games, we came out flat. Tonight, we played hard the whole game."
"We played smarter. I was careless with the ball in the first half of the New Mexico game. I chilled a little bit this game, made good passes and they finished."
"It's good to get back in the rhythm. This is a feel-good game."
On Playing Portland:
"This is a rivalry game. We have to match their intensity."
Brandon Lincoln, #14, G
On starting:
"On the bench, I'm usually able to get a feel for how a game is going. I was up to the challenge. My teammates really helped me out."
On the team's 25 assists:
"That's one of Coach Kent's points of emphasis. We focus on being team oriented, and 25 assists is a sign that we are growing."
On playing Portland:
"We need to focus on shutting down the drive. They have great shooters. Teams like that are quick. We have to lock in defensively."
Bryce Taylor, #4, G
On not starting:
"It was different, a new experience. It was great to see a different side and come in off the bench. It was a good learning experience. It's bigger than me. It's about the team. [Kent's] trying to help our team. You have to let all the personal things go out the window. "
On Oguchi:
"Champ is my best friend on the team. He knows I've been struggling lately. It was a sigh of relief to get things going."
