Fresno State Athletics
QUOTES: Fresno State 80, Lamar 72
11/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Rodney Terry
What did you appreciate about your team tonight…
"We started preparation for Lamar and we knew they were going to be a very well coached team, a team that was going to come in and really challenge our defensive transition. Our transition defensive is starting to be really good for us early in the season and that some of the hardest things for teams to get really good at early in the year, getting back and getting your defense set. This group coming in was going to really push us into doing that. Sometimes you practice transition defense in practice but can't implement it in the game but this group did a good job of forcing us to get better in that area tonight."
Torren and Cullen...
These guys did a good job. We had some size on them and we wanted to try and attack the, in side, we knew that early. We knew they were going to be a team that really rebounded the basketball hard, so we knew we were going to have to block out. I think these guys are both developing well and developing into guys that can get rebounds outside their areas. It's not enough just to block out, you have to go get that ball. I think both of these guys are getting better each and everyday that we go out.
They're older players. They're older guys and recruited them for the need that we're talking about. Rebounds have been an Achilles for us over the last couple of years and finding someone who wants to eat the glass and be a guy that takes a lot of pride in rebounding the basketball and playing with a motor. Both of these guys are capable of doing that. Both guys have a good skill package and we knew that they could rebound the ball.
Lamar playing hard..
There were four to six minutes stretch in there where we had to call a time out and say, "they're playing harder than us." That's really hard for us to say because we like to take a lot of pride in how hard we play and we like to think that every time we step out on the floor that we're going to be the hardest playing team.
Three pointers..
I'd like to think that as our guys continue to work on their shooting and shoot them at game pace, that we'll make more than we miss. It's just a matter of staying aggressive and improving their shot. We'll be a really good shooting team before the years out.
We're a team that any given night any guy can step up and help our team from an offensive stand point.
Free throws…
When I saw that I was a little surprised that we got there 41 times, I thought we were on the flip side of that to be honest with you. That's a great job of attacking. When you're not shooting the ball well if you attack the paint and put pressure on the basket that kind of levels out for you as well.
Forcing turnovers…
When we play our gaps, the guys usually do a good job of coming up with the ball.
The strong bond of the team…
Just being at home isn't enough. This time of year every team thinks they have a chance whether their on the road or at home their going to come and compete at a high level. I think that this group has done that in practice and carried it over to games in terms of their energy and effort. Now, they're just learning to work the game, you have to make adjustments throughout the game.
The first part of the game, [Lamar] came out and jumped it up from a defensive standpoint and I thought we had to make some adjustments on that. They mixed a lot of different defenses. We played and we played through that and as we got into the second half we finally found the rhythm. We did a great job of attacking. We didn't always finish at the level I thought we were capable of finishing but early in the year your learning. We tell our guys every minute you get on the floor is a precious minute so go as hard as you can go.
On what he is trying to accomplish on the floor …
"I am trying to help my team win in any way as possible. Whether it's playing defense, getting rebounds, picking teammates up or being an energy guy. Whatever I can do to help win."
On almost making his dunk …
"I thought I was going to make it and then I heard the crowd's cheer go up then down so I knew I missed it. People have been asking me to get one in so I am trying to get one for the fans."
On seeing new guys on the team step up in games …
"It's amazing. We worked really hard on the off-season. With the trip to Italy, we became a group and you see us working as one in the game.
On shooting early and looking for his shot …
"Like coach said, they were small down in the post and I felt like I could exploit that. I decided that was what I was going to do."
On everything seeming to go in the basket for him …
"It feels good. I'm scoring so I am doing something right. Obviously they weren't the prettiest makes but it got me in my flow and it got some points on the board."
