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 few good illinois last ncaa position puts recognize signature win
We're thrilled. This certainly puts us in position (for an NCAA bid) with a signature win around the country. We recognize how good Illinois has been over the last few years.
attention basketball few focused games guys last rectify shooting shot wearing
I don't know what has transpired the last few games - the way he has shot the basketball, he's not shooting as well. I don't know if it's more attention being focused on him with those other guys being out that's wearing on him. I don't know, but we have to rectify it.
add banner based chance finish finishing fortunate last opportunity phenomenal raise regular season strong talked win
They have an opportunity to add to it if we're fortunate to come out on top. To have a chance to raise another banner and for them to win their last game, with two NIT championships, would be a phenomenal achievement. We talked about how we didn't finish strong in the regular season but we wanted to finish right. I can't think of a way, based on where we are now, that we aren't finishing right this season.
ball course critical determined game half key last minute mistakes possession stand tough turn turned win
It is tough to win with some many turnovers. Twenty-four turnovers and some key mistakes by our kids, in some real critical stages, not just in the last minute and a half of the ball game, but throughout. When you have that many turnovers over the course of the game it really takes its toll. They turn it over 20 times, we turn it over 24. It wasn't a pretty game from that stand point. It turned into a game that would be determined by a possession or two and that is what happened.
allowed felt filled freshman gain last ron year
He started a lot last year when we had a lot of injuries. I felt that allowed him as a freshman to gain confidence. Ron has filled in nicely.
key last role
That was a role reversal from last time. That was a key today.
brings gain graham guy intangible invaluable leadership sure toughness
I'm sure he brings some toughness and even some leadership to that group. When you have a guy like that, where you gain some of the intangible things that we gain from a Graham Brown, they're invaluable to your team.
along health injuries luck serious shape team
That is probably going to have some health luck along the way. The team that does not have any serious injuries or defections or (academic) casualties, if you will, in any shape or form.
believe leads might practicing stretch today
Not practicing today probably leads us to believe it might be a stretch for Wednesday.
certainly chance crowd effort impact mentioned
I mentioned to our players, when they get a chance to interview, they should certainly mention the effort and the impact the crowd had.
difference huge pleased presence
I'm very pleased for Courtney. His presence was a huge difference for our team.
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I'm not trying to get into the specifics about the calls -- it was obviously a terrific crew -- but it certainly was a situation I disagreed with and I got a technical for it and I deserved it.
adverse correct far hoping moment moments respond situations teaching
I'm hoping he's going to respond in the correct manner, and so far he has. I've always thought of every moment as a teaching moment. Unfortunately, sometimes teaching moments have to come in some adverse situations and circumstances.
environment hopeful hungry lead order rely seniors sure
I'm hopeful our seniors can lead us in this environment, and so in order to do that, I'm going to rely on them to make sure we're ready, we're hungry and we're going to go after it.