Jan. 24, 2007

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Ohio Head Coach: Tim O'Shea

Opening statement:

I'm glad we got a win. I don't think that we played particularly well, especially shooting the ball. We had one of those nights where you're 1-for-13 from the three and to still get a win, you have to be happy about that. We had a very poor night shooting and that's going to happen from time to time, I'm just glad it did not cost us a win.

On their shooting:

We really dominated the inside the whole game. On the perimeter we just had one of those nights. We had some wide open looks, we just could not put the ball in the basket. Fortunately for us we still won. It was a pretty forgettable game on a lot of levels, but you put it in the win column and you move on to Ball State. You're going to have some nights like that during the course of the season, where things aren't clicking the way you want. At least we get back in the win column tonight.

On the mood of the team:

We are kind of a feel-good team. We play a lot better when the balls going in the basket. Tonight we rebounded the ball well, and I thought we defended hard. They only shot 37%, which wasn't exactly a stellar night for them either, but they made some timely threes, which I thought helped them hang around. That's how you stay in the game a lot of times.

On away games:

We have to get some wins on the road, we know that, but the thing we can't do is lose at home if you want to stay in contention for the league. You look around the league and teams are winning on the road right now. We're still 0-2 on the road, and Toledo is running away with the West (Division) right now. We're just trying to hang in contention. Hopefully on Sunday we can break through and get a road win before we play Toledo. It's a good chance that Toledo will come in here undefeated, in league play at least, the way they are playing right now.

On the home court:

It's college basketball in general. The home team wins 75% of the time, that's a fact. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that the crowd is a big factor, the familiarity with the building, making shots. Generally you are going to shot the ball a lot better in your home gym than you are on the road.

Ohio junior Leon Williams

On how Ohio won:

There wasn't really much to it. We took advantage of their inexperience and size. But give credit to them, they didn't give up. They played until the last second.

On winning again at home:

We need to get a win on the road. At home I think we come out stronger. On the road we come out slow. We don't have the crowd behind us. We need to keep the energy.

On the balance of the team:

I think we have a well balanced team. We have a lot of guards that can take it to the hole and shoot. (Other teams) just have to pick their poison on what they want to take away.

Ohio sophomore Jerome Tillman

On Walter Luckett addressing the team before the game:

Yeah, we spoke in the locker room before the game. He had some really inspirational words of wisdom. I think anybody could learn from him.

On coming off tough road losses:

It was nice (to win). The last two road games in the MAC, we've lost by a combined five points in overtime. So it feels good to win at home. But we have to get it back together and go win on the road at Ball State. We have to focus and practice and get it done.

On the scuffle under the basket:

I tried to get the rebound and I was falling down and kind of brought him down with me. It was nothing, there's always guys getting beat up down there in the paint. We were winning, so I'm not going to jeopardize my situation by being stupid.

On getting some assists:

I'm just trying to get my teammates involved. My teammates are stepping up when I'm dishing the ball out.

On the guards' play:

The guard play has a great impact in the MAC, but I think you win championships with your big men. They are the ones down there doing the dirty work. Not to discount what the guards are doing, because I know their job is equally as tough.  Our scoring is really balanced and anybody can kill you any night.

Eastern Michigan Head Coach Charles Ramsey

On playing hard until then end:

We cut it to six, but there was only 15 seconds left. There's just not a lot of sense - at that point in time - to extend it (the game). I don't know very many teams, especially this one (Ohio) that's going to blow a six-point lead with 15 seconds.

On why his team struggled at the beginning of the game:

One of the things is youth. We are going to go through some growing pains. They are going to have to learn to improve their energy; in the first 15 minutes of the ball game, not letting the other team get their steam up; play even of or even get ahead.