Oliver Purnell
Oliver Purnell
Oliver Gordon Purnell, Jr.is an American college basketball coach. He was most recently the head coach at DePaul University. Purnell previously served as the head coach for Clemson University, the University of Dayton, Old Dominion University, and Radford University...
game nice state struggling
It would've been nice to get that N.C. State game (a two-overtime loss), but we didn't get it done in any of the three. It has put us in a struggling state.
five games guys realized special
You never get over that kind of loss, but we had to. The guys just never wavered. I realized after the first five games this was a special team.
easy favorable mean passed played road schedule terms tough toughest
If we can get something going at this point, we don't have that two- or three-game road swing. The schedule is favorable in terms of we've played that tough part. That doesn't mean anything's easy from here on out by any stretch, but we probably have passed the toughest part.
confidence hungry night team wednesday
I have every confidence come Wednesday night our team will be hungry and focused.
boost close finish game great home love win
I'd love to see us be in a close game with them on their home court. And getting a win would be a much-needed boost for us, a great jump-start to finish out the year.
felt four gonna gotta league lost nobody sorry tech understand virginia
Nobody felt sorry for Virginia Tech when they were 0-6, and nobody's gonna feel sorry for us that we lost four in a row. It's important to understand that it's a man's league and we've gotta keep working.
advance forward game home major obviously pleased step
Obviously we are very pleased to advance in the NIT. A home game was a major step forward for our program, as was a win.
certainly great people prayer special tough virginia
Certainly our condolences go out to him and the people of Virginia Tech. (Coleman) is a great kid, and that's a very tough deal. We'll say a special prayer for him and his family.
assured bit classic granted lost middle played rest season state sunday took
NC State lost the other night, but it was kind of a classic setup: out of the league, they just played Duke, in the middle of the ACC season at home, and they probably just took things for granted a little bit probably. You can be rest assured that on Sunday we'll see NC State at their best.
conference early ready resilient team trouble year
I wouldn't say there's no trouble because I think there is frustration and disappointment at going out early in your conference tournament. But this has been a resilient team all year long. We'll be ready to go (tonight).
argument coming momentum playing powerful sports team
Momentum in sports is a powerful force. One could make the argument that we're playing better than any team coming in ó so I'll make that argument.
advantage certainly fact gives opportunity travel
The fact that we don't have to travel is certainly an advantage for us and gives us an opportunity to be well-rested and well prepared.
best coaching jobs saying
It's got to be one of the best coaching jobs he's done, and that's saying something.
continuing game guys nice rewarded work
It's nice to see our guys rewarded for continuing to work hard. We'd like for this to be a game that kind of kick-starts us.