Dec. 30, 2006
Recap | Box Score
CLEVELAND - Coaches and players meet the media following Ohio's 79-66 win against Cincinnati Saturday night in Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena.
Coach Tim O'Shea
Opening Statement:
Obviously I am very pleased with the win today; I didn't really like the way we finished the game in the second half in term of the rebounding and the turnovers we had down the stretch but all that said, it's hard to be disappointed with a win over Cincinnati. Especially given the beaten they gave us last year its really nice to return it and have a success this year.
On tonight's success:
Overall I think the key for us was the way that we shared the ball offensively, We are getting everyone involved, We are not playing overly quick, we get on the half court and grind it out, so that helps us score a lot of points.
On Ohio's free throw success:
We are not only getting to the free throw line, we are making them. We have a 74 percent free throw percentage and going into today's game we have taken well over 100 more free throws than our opponents and we have played most of our games on the road.
On Cincinnati:
You have to give Cincinnati a lot of credit, after they beat Xavier and N.C. State, but going into this game, I believe that we were the more experienced team. It's a new year, I like the way we have been playing and I just want to see it continue.
Ohio senior Whitney Davis
We feel really good about our progression right now, we still have a long way to go but we are making short strides to hopefully to win the MAC Tournament and make it to the NCAA Tournament.
Ohio sophomore Jerome Tillman
Our game plan was to apply smart pressure to force turnovers, Cincinnati likes to run a lot and we just wanted to slow down the pace of the game.
Cincinnati Head Coach Mick Cronin
Opening Statement:
That was our worst defensive effort of the season. We got exactly what we deserved. Ohio University has a good team and we wish them luck in their conference but obviously I am disappointed in our defensive effort. No matter what we tried to do, it was a feeble attempt at best to try and guard the other team.
On Cincinnati's defensive effort:
We have been competitive all year, not because of our depth, talent or size but because we have played really hard on the defensive end. Defense and rebounding are all hustle and effort. You have to believe you need to be a great defensive team to be a good team. We have limited a team's second shots all year and we did not do that today. The enormous amount of free throws they shot was a direct result of our poor defense
On Ohio's scoring:
Anytime someone tried to advance the ball toward the basket on the dribble we got beat. We were not in position to take charges and rotate. They scored 60 points on free throws and lay-ups. They had 30 points in the paint and 30 made free throws. You have no chance to win no matter who you are in college basketball if you give up 60 points on lay-ups and free throws. You are going to lose; this game isn't that complicated.
On Cincinnati's inexperience:
They have not been through this. Even with experience, the kids will start think they are winning because of their talent level and they just show up and get beat. If you play a good team that's ready to play and you just show up, you get beat.
