Tommy Amaker
Tommy Amaker
Harold Tommy Amakeris an American NCAA Division I college basketball coach and the head coach of the Harvard University men's basketball team. He has also coached for the University of Michigan and Seton Hall University. He played point guard and later served as an assistant coach at Duke University under Mike Krzyzewski. An All-American player, Amaker set numerous records and earned many honors and awards. He took Seton Hall to the post season in each of his four seasons as...
ProfessionCoach
Date of Birth6 June 1965
certainly forced guys hurt middle needed players production ronnie step
He did struggle. We certainly needed all of our perimeter players to play well and I thought it hurt us when Dion (Harris) got the two fouls (early). ... That probably forced some other guys to step up their production on the perimeter and it wasn't there. I thought Ronnie was right in the middle of that.
gave solid
He gave us solid minutes. We didn't want to play him too much.
compete documented final fitting game history opportunity point thrill tradition
Getting to this point is such a significant accomplishment for any program, with the history and tradition of the NIT. It really is a big thrill - particularly for our seniors. It has been well documented how much they have done for our program, and it is very fitting that we have an opportunity to compete for a championship in their final game in their final year.
believe chances effort focus front healthy helpful hurt loss ncaa puts somehow takes terrific together tournament win works
I don't think one win or one loss puts you in or takes you out. I really don't believe it works that way. I think the thing that is helpful for us and healthy for us is to focus on what's in front of us. If we can somehow put together a terrific effort and win that first game, then I can say it doesn't hurt our chances for making the NCAA tournament field.
conference focus game hunt proximity stay won
For us, we know the rivalry, the proximity and that we hadn't won this game in a long time, so we're pleased. The focus for us was to try to stay in the hunt for the conference title.
beat conference energy life naive passion season signs
For us to show the signs of life and energy and passion and defense, that's what we needed. I think you go through some stretches where the season can beat you down a little bit. I think it's naive to think this conference can't do that to you.
focused front happened looking moved
For us right now, as I told our kids, we've moved on from what happened in the past. We're focused on what's in front of us. We put in the effort, and we are looking forward.
catalyst feeling fortunate high shoot
He was a catalyst for us. We were fortunate that he was feeling it to shoot such a high percentage.
certainly high performed played stretch
He certainly played at a high level. Down the stretch you want to give everything you have, and he certainly has performed very well.
enjoy feels
It feels great. But we know things like this can be short-lived. While we're here, we're going to try and enjoy it.
asking daniel lack nice playing saying
I think he's playing in a nice rhythm. I think a lot of that had to do with Daniel and Lester. For a lack of a better way of saying it, we're not asking him to be Superman. We're asking him to contribute.
absolute coach competitor foot interact miss opportunity player since special stepped
I think he's been everything to this program. He's been an absolute high-level competitor since the day he stepped foot on campus. I'm going to miss him, as a coach and as a teacher. He's been a special player for me to have an opportunity to interact with.
achievement deserving focused honored hopefully moment road stay traveled
I think for the road we've traveled this is a significant achievement for our kids. The way we've been able to get to this moment has been to stay focused and take things as they come. Hopefully they will feel honored and deserving and keep it in perspective.
anchor brand build helpful loyalty period tournament
I think it would be helpful that we anchor it for a period of time. We could build up some kind of brand loyalty and recognition for where our tournament is located.