Head Coach Lon Kruger |||||||||||||||||||
Opening Comment:
"It was a tough battle obviously. Probably as good as an opportunity as you can possibly get. UTA did a terrific job opening the ball game and we got down a bit but we made a good run late in the first half. We relaxed a bit in the second half and UTA made a run to make it a game that could go either way. I've watched Scott Cross' team for a long time and they were very well prepared. What they did tonight was no surprise. We are fortunate to get out with a win."
On Buddy Hield's play:
"Buddy was fantastic in the first half. We were down 8 or 10 and he scored every way you can. He's a good scorer and an emotional player that gets into it. He will give you a lot of good stretches through the year."
On UTA's pressure causing problems:
"Late in the game that was the case. We hoped to be a bit cleaner there. We didn't handle the pressure well. We are fortunate to get out with a win and move onto the next one."
On playing at UT Arlington:
"It was a great learning opportunity, a fantastic crowd, a beautiful building and a terrific setting. This one started a home-and-home. We love playing quality programs where we do not have to travel a long way."
Senior F Romero Osby |||||||||||||||||||
On the turning point in the first half:
"We picked up on our defensive intensity, but I have to give credit to the freshmen play. They gave us a spark and the energy and we kind of just went from there."
On Steven Pledger:
"Steve's a senior and he's a great shooter. He caught it and I saw his head down and I knew it was going up. You expect him to hit big shots and he did at the end."
