Derek Thomas
Derek Thomas
ball care defense effort games playing trying win
We're just trying to win games ?- ?it's not about who you're playing or where you're going. We got the effort and the defense is back to where it should be and if we can take care of the ball a little better I think we'll be okay.
defense designed early good headed left open overtime played pop sean
We had a good look. It went just the way we designed it. They played good perimeter defense early and Sean got a little open and we were able to pop it out to him. I thought we were headed to overtime when it left his hands. It just went in and popped back out.
defense guys locking passing shots turning
Our shots weren't falling, but we were able to do it by locking up on defense and we just didn't let them score. On the other end, we had guys passing the ball, not turning it over and it got exciting.
ball court defense game holds legs night percent playing seconds seen shooting strange team time
I have never seen a shooting night like that and I don't think I'll ever see one again. It was just one of those strange things. I think part of it was that we had to play defense for so long. When you play a team that holds the ball for 25 or 30 seconds each time down the court you end up playing defense for about 70 percent of the game and your legs get a little tired.
anyway basket corner either foul good stupid trying turning
We were trying to get him going to the basket and either get a basket or get a foul called, which was probably stupid anyway but turning the corner and going is something he is usually good at.
coaches noticed talked
We've already talked about it. And a lot of other coaches have noticed it as well. There's nothing we could do about now.
coach listening people proud reminds understand
Listening to Eliz reminds you of why you coach and why you're out here. It's because of people like that. You have to understand how important it is to those guys. I'm proud of those guys.
couple felt floor gave good guys heard helped legs longer practice saw time week
I think (the week off) has helped a lot. I saw it in practice yesterday, I saw a lot more bouncy and livelier legs and guys were able to go longer and harder. I heard a couple of guys say they felt good to be on the floor after we gave them some time off and I think it really helped.
decision eight eleven felt free kids line ours ourselves seven straight time won
That was the game. Seven or eight straight times the fouls were called on their end and one time on ours and we're going to the basket. It was very frustrating because I felt like the kids didn't get to make the decision of who won the game. Eleven free throws; we predicate ourselves about getting to the line and we get to the line 11 times.
decision felt game kids win
That was the game, right there. I felt like the kids didn't get to make the decision to win this game on their own.
change finally fix focus free legs next percentage practice rest throw
We finally get some rest next week. We'll be able to practice for a change and put some new things in. We need to get our legs back, focus on getting our free throw percentage back up and fix our turnovers.
basketball dangerous extremely fought great guys hard hate last proud saw step team
We can be a dangerous team when we play like we did for the last 10 minutes. We fought extremely hard after we got down. I hate to be proud when we lose, but I am tonight. You saw some great basketball and a great team effort. A lot of guys had to step up to make it happen.
quickness screens space speed tall
They like to space you out and go one-on-one, go off some screens and isolations because they like to use their speed and quickness because they're not a very tall team.
both good last minutes played run situation valuable
Not a whole lot (happened) in the first half, I thought we stunk, but I know in the last 12 or 15 minutes we went on a 26-2 run and played some good defense. It was a win, and both of us are at a situation where we need this game. I think that makes it more valuable for both teams.