TicketsCoppin State at Cincinnati
Nov. 16, 2017
BB&T Arena
Cincinnati Head Coach Mick Cronin
Opening statement:
"We got off to a great start tonight. I thought our passing was excellent early in the game. We were able to go down low to get a bucket with Kyle (Washington) to start it and I think that forced them to collapse and left a lot of open shots. When we pass the ball, we are team that can hurt people and we also did a pretty good job at taking care of the ball tonight. We had a couple of goals tonight: we were trying to get better with our half-court defense, so, for the last 30 minutes of the game, we called the press off and tried to get more sound defensively in the half court to get ready for next week. We also tried to work on our turnovers. Our goal was to be minus-10 tonight in turnovers and we accomplished that. But, we regressed a little at the foul line.
On dribbling out the last 20 seconds instead of going for 100 points:
"I am the son of a coach. When you are up 43, you don't try to rub it in on a team. At least I don't. I have been on the other end of that stick. That stuff doesn't concern me. Juan (Dixon) just got the team and is trying to build his program and teach his kids how to play hard. I could care less if we get 100 (points)."
On Justin Jenifer's play and hitting a career-high point total for the second time this season:
"I think that will continue all year. Justin has worked really hard and his confidence is up. I'll tell you what I am most proud of is his turnovers; none again tonight and I think he had one in our last game. He is taking care of the ball. I am not surprised he is making shots. He works really hard at it. He has really dedicated himself and it has made our team better. See, when a guy dedicates himself, and commits to being the best player he can be by putting in the effort and the focus, and then he plays well, it gives the coach a lot more options and that makes me look smarter because the ball goes in. But, when you are in my position, you have to give the kid the credit. People talk about player development. Well, some guys develop like Sean Kilpatrick and others don't and you have to give the kid the credit when he puts in the work and is notably getting better. You guys have watched Justin; he obviously is a totally different player. And, I would say, it is two things; maturity and his commitment level, his practice habits and the time he puts in the gym. He just takes it a lot more serious."
On what specifically changed that for him:
"I think he just wanted to play. I told him he wasn't going to play if he played like he did the first two years. I am really honest with my players. Sometimes, people put it on the coach, but I put it back on them. The players determine playing time; they just pay me to win games. When it comes to basketball, I am paid to win games. To win, I am going to play the best players. Do I play favorites? Yes. If you play well, you will be one of my favorites. It is not rocket science now. He (Jenifer) is playing really well right now. I tried him and Cane together tonight because they are going to play together at times. I pre-scripted that I was going to play them together tonight and defensively try to do something in the game to see how it looked and how it worked because they don't get a chance to do that in practice."
On how the lineup looked with Broome and Jenifer:
"We didn't do it that long. I think we only played them together for three minutes, so I will have to go see them on film. We pressed when we did it. Obviously, the score was lopsided, but Coppin State had only 11 turnovers and that is far better than anybody we have played all year. We weren't able to wreck a lot of havoc on them, but I think that lineup could cause some people that don't handle the ball well to have some problems when those guys get after the ball handler in the back court. So, we will see. I think it is something we will be able to use throughout the year."
On going to the Cayman Islands and the team's focus:
"I think it (staying focused) is easier because their girlfriends are all at home. I am being serious. This team is different than any team I have ever coached, too. I have guys that complain if Mark Berger, our ops guy, gets fast food for them. Gary (Clark) and Kyle (Washington) don't eat fried food. I have guys on this team that are trying to make this a great season and make basketball their career. So, I don't anticipate the weather being warm to be an issue with these guys. I do think that, when you get them on a remote island, it eliminates a lot of distractions, especially in today's society."
On if he feels the team is ready basketball-wise:
"No. But, nobody does. It is time to play, though, and time to get some resistance. I think Buffalo is picked to win their side of the MAC. Richmond has struggled and UAB is as good as anybody in Conference USA. I know, on the other side, Wyoming has a really good team and everybody knows about Iowa. But, Buffalo is picked to win the MAC and the MAC is an upper mid-major team. I know they are a physical team, but it is time. We need it. It is time to play some teams that can beat us if we don't play well. Nobody is ready right now. I probably won't feel like we are ready until January or February, to be honest with you."
Cincinnati Player Quotes
#24 Kyle Washington, F
On if the team was aware of scoring 100 points:
"Yes, we were aware of it. I think we were just trying to get through the flow of the game honestly, but then when coach told us to pull back then we just did it out of respect. The other team played hard today, have to give hats off today. We wanted it but we just want to win. We just wanted to execute and make sure we were taking care of business."
On what it feels like when it seems like everything is going in:
"You know we just wanted to reinforce the message that we are ready to go and we are not taking any of these games for granted, it could be Coppin State or it could be the Los Angeles Lakers, we are ready to play so we were just ready to play and we just wanted to show the coaches that we were focused and locked in. We wanted to execute on our assignment, so it was a good start but we have got to make sure we shore up some things in the second half."
On not having the same success shooting the ball after the fast start:
"I think that they made some adjustments so we just have to keep on making adjustments and play hard. You know we just have to make sure that we are playing smart and that starts with me and Justin keeps on doing great job in conducting when he is out there so we just have to make sure we listen to our point guards and we stay cohesive the whole year."
On how much they are looking forward to the Cayman Islands:
"Yeah we are going down there on a mission. I mean I wish I was going down to the Cayman Islands for a regular vacation but we are going to be locked in and we are going to go down there to try to get some hardware. There are some good teams down there and we just want to maintain focus."
#3 Justin Jenifer, G
On if he wanted to break a 100-point record in tonight's game:
"Yeah, that's what people wanted us to do coming into the game but what we wanted was to get the W."
On how he feels about scoring his career high two times in the past three games:
"It's just about coming into the game more aggressive. Everyone comes in and says that I'm the pass-first guard. If I go into the game more aggressive then it will make my assists easier. I've been focusing on being aggressive and getting in the paint. If I go in the game and I'm attacking and I'm getting in the paint everything else will open up."
On much he and Cane push each other in practice:
"Everyday. There's no days off with me and him. We make sure that we are talking to each other even if he's killing me or I'm playing better than him that day. We always make sure that we have each other's back and we make sure that we go hard at each other every day. We know when we get on the court we are playing for the same team. When we are in the game together it's crazy. Every day in practice we make sure we push each other all the time."
On what he wanted to improve on going into the season:
"The main focus was just making sure I kept my weight down and making sure I got to my goal weight. My main focus was making sure I'm in the best shape of my career."
On if he is looking forward to going to the Cayman Islands:
"For me, this is my first time going across the water, so it's going to be exciting. I'm ready to have a little fun but it's always business first."
Coppin State Head Coach Juan Dixon
On some of the things his team did well and can build upon:
"I thought we did a good job of trapping in the post in the second half. We just didn't defend hard enough early and execute our defensive assignments. But we are going to be fine. Cincinnati is a Top 25 team, very talented, very deep, great size, and they are well coached. But we are going to be okay."
What are some of your thoughts on this Cincinnati team you just faced:
"They are a well-coached team. Very physical. They shot the ball extremely well tonight. And they are just dogs. They defend. They get up in your face and play physical, and they try and take people out of their offense."
Nov. 16, 2017
BB&T Arena
Cincinnati Head Coach Mick Cronin
Opening statement:
"We got off to a great start tonight. I thought our passing was excellent early in the game. We were able to go down low to get a bucket with Kyle (Washington) to start it and I think that forced them to collapse and left a lot of open shots. When we pass the ball, we are team that can hurt people and we also did a pretty good job at taking care of the ball tonight. We had a couple of goals tonight: we were trying to get better with our half-court defense, so, for the last 30 minutes of the game, we called the press off and tried to get more sound defensively in the half court to get ready for next week. We also tried to work on our turnovers. Our goal was to be minus-10 tonight in turnovers and we accomplished that. But, we regressed a little at the foul line.
On dribbling out the last 20 seconds instead of going for 100 points:
"I am the son of a coach. When you are up 43, you don't try to rub it in on a team. At least I don't. I have been on the other end of that stick. That stuff doesn't concern me. Juan (Dixon) just got the team and is trying to build his program and teach his kids how to play hard. I could care less if we get 100 (points)."
On Justin Jenifer's play and hitting a career-high point total for the second time this season:
"I think that will continue all year. Justin has worked really hard and his confidence is up. I'll tell you what I am most proud of is his turnovers; none again tonight and I think he had one in our last game. He is taking care of the ball. I am not surprised he is making shots. He works really hard at it. He has really dedicated himself and it has made our team better. See, when a guy dedicates himself, and commits to being the best player he can be by putting in the effort and the focus, and then he plays well, it gives the coach a lot more options and that makes me look smarter because the ball goes in. But, when you are in my position, you have to give the kid the credit. People talk about player development. Well, some guys develop like Sean Kilpatrick and others don't and you have to give the kid the credit when he puts in the work and is notably getting better. You guys have watched Justin; he obviously is a totally different player. And, I would say, it is two things; maturity and his commitment level, his practice habits and the time he puts in the gym. He just takes it a lot more serious."
On what specifically changed that for him:
"I think he just wanted to play. I told him he wasn't going to play if he played like he did the first two years. I am really honest with my players. Sometimes, people put it on the coach, but I put it back on them. The players determine playing time; they just pay me to win games. When it comes to basketball, I am paid to win games. To win, I am going to play the best players. Do I play favorites? Yes. If you play well, you will be one of my favorites. It is not rocket science now. He (Jenifer) is playing really well right now. I tried him and Cane together tonight because they are going to play together at times. I pre-scripted that I was going to play them together tonight and defensively try to do something in the game to see how it looked and how it worked because they don't get a chance to do that in practice."
On how the lineup looked with Broome and Jenifer:
"We didn't do it that long. I think we only played them together for three minutes, so I will have to go see them on film. We pressed when we did it. Obviously, the score was lopsided, but Coppin State had only 11 turnovers and that is far better than anybody we have played all year. We weren't able to wreck a lot of havoc on them, but I think that lineup could cause some people that don't handle the ball well to have some problems when those guys get after the ball handler in the back court. So, we will see. I think it is something we will be able to use throughout the year."
On going to the Cayman Islands and the team's focus:
"I think it (staying focused) is easier because their girlfriends are all at home. I am being serious. This team is different than any team I have ever coached, too. I have guys that complain if Mark Berger, our ops guy, gets fast food for them. Gary (Clark) and Kyle (Washington) don't eat fried food. I have guys on this team that are trying to make this a great season and make basketball their career. So, I don't anticipate the weather being warm to be an issue with these guys. I do think that, when you get them on a remote island, it eliminates a lot of distractions, especially in today's society."
On if he feels the team is ready basketball-wise:
"No. But, nobody does. It is time to play, though, and time to get some resistance. I think Buffalo is picked to win their side of the MAC. Richmond has struggled and UAB is as good as anybody in Conference USA. I know, on the other side, Wyoming has a really good team and everybody knows about Iowa. But, Buffalo is picked to win the MAC and the MAC is an upper mid-major team. I know they are a physical team, but it is time. We need it. It is time to play some teams that can beat us if we don't play well. Nobody is ready right now. I probably won't feel like we are ready until January or February, to be honest with you."
Cincinnati Player Quotes
#24 Kyle Washington, F
On if the team was aware of scoring 100 points:
"Yes, we were aware of it. I think we were just trying to get through the flow of the game honestly, but then when coach told us to pull back then we just did it out of respect. The other team played hard today, have to give hats off today. We wanted it but we just want to win. We just wanted to execute and make sure we were taking care of business."
On what it feels like when it seems like everything is going in:
"You know we just wanted to reinforce the message that we are ready to go and we are not taking any of these games for granted, it could be Coppin State or it could be the Los Angeles Lakers, we are ready to play so we were just ready to play and we just wanted to show the coaches that we were focused and locked in. We wanted to execute on our assignment, so it was a good start but we have got to make sure we shore up some things in the second half."
On not having the same success shooting the ball after the fast start:
"I think that they made some adjustments so we just have to keep on making adjustments and play hard. You know we just have to make sure that we are playing smart and that starts with me and Justin keeps on doing great job in conducting when he is out there so we just have to make sure we listen to our point guards and we stay cohesive the whole year."
On how much they are looking forward to the Cayman Islands:
"Yeah we are going down there on a mission. I mean I wish I was going down to the Cayman Islands for a regular vacation but we are going to be locked in and we are going to go down there to try to get some hardware. There are some good teams down there and we just want to maintain focus."
#3 Justin Jenifer, G
On if he wanted to break a 100-point record in tonight's game:
"Yeah, that's what people wanted us to do coming into the game but what we wanted was to get the W."
On how he feels about scoring his career high two times in the past three games:
"It's just about coming into the game more aggressive. Everyone comes in and says that I'm the pass-first guard. If I go into the game more aggressive then it will make my assists easier. I've been focusing on being aggressive and getting in the paint. If I go in the game and I'm attacking and I'm getting in the paint everything else will open up."
On much he and Cane push each other in practice:
"Everyday. There's no days off with me and him. We make sure that we are talking to each other even if he's killing me or I'm playing better than him that day. We always make sure that we have each other's back and we make sure that we go hard at each other every day. We know when we get on the court we are playing for the same team. When we are in the game together it's crazy. Every day in practice we make sure we push each other all the time."
On what he wanted to improve on going into the season:
"The main focus was just making sure I kept my weight down and making sure I got to my goal weight. My main focus was making sure I'm in the best shape of my career."
On if he is looking forward to going to the Cayman Islands:
"For me, this is my first time going across the water, so it's going to be exciting. I'm ready to have a little fun but it's always business first."
Coppin State Head Coach Juan Dixon
On some of the things his team did well and can build upon:
"I thought we did a good job of trapping in the post in the second half. We just didn't defend hard enough early and execute our defensive assignments. But we are going to be fine. Cincinnati is a Top 25 team, very talented, very deep, great size, and they are well coached. But we are going to be okay."
What are some of your thoughts on this Cincinnati team you just faced:
"They are a well-coached team. Very physical. They shot the ball extremely well tonight. And they are just dogs. They defend. They get up in your face and play physical, and they try and take people out of their offense."