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Men's Basketball
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Quotes: Duke 82, Virginia Tech 58
1/9/2016 3:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski
Opening Statement:
“I apologize for being late; I was going over blocking schemes with Coach Rivera. I am not privileged to tell you what he said, but it was an honor to have him here. Our crowd gave him a big welcome; what he and the Panthers have done has been so good for our state. We played well; we played a team that has been playing great. The first half was sensational, not just offensively but defensively. In the second half Virginia Tech was not going to give up, and there were some things that we could have done better, but overall that was a really outstanding performance by our kids. Coming off the huge win in adverse situations on Wednesday night I was really worried about us living in the past and not in the present.”
On Marshall Plumlee:
“Marshall was sensational. He has giving us such an effort these last three games and production. I am so proud of him. I think you continue to get more confidence through accomplishments. Before we started conference play Marshall made a change in how he leads. He was leading mostly by example before then and very well, since the conference has started he has totally vested in leading the team. Some of the things that we are doing offensively, places him in a position where he can be more productive. These last two games he is 13-for-14 form the field, 13-for-14 from the free throw line, a lot of rebounds, block, he has just played really well. He was the key guy for us today and how he defended [Seth] Allen and [Justin] Bibbs, because they could really score the ball and fortunately we played them pretty well and they missed a few so they did not put up the number that they usually put up.”
On the game tempo:
“I do not know how they like to play; I just know that the last two games it seemed as if they were in control of the tempo. They will play fast, but not all of the time. When you start out hitting threes like that boom, boom, boom that can knock you back. They were not playing horrible defense, we just knocked down everything. Then they were playing from behind and we tried to speed things up offensively. Second half I think we got a little bit tired too and they played better in the second half. Overall, I think we played at a pace that was good for us.”
On Brandon Ingram's progression:
“He keeps getting better. I do not want to be an impediment to the pace. He is a really good basketball player. He is position less and I hope he plays great for the rest of the year. He is going to be a special basketball player because he is smart and incredibly ball friendly. In an open court and open game where he is going to be playing, his passing will show up more. He has been tough and good, and he keeps getting better.”
Duke Graduate Student Marshall Plumlee
On his huge offensive output over the last couple of games:
“I'm fortunate to play with some really talented teammates who draw a lot of attention. When you have guys like Brandon Ingram and Grayson Allen getting into the lane every possession, they draw a lot of attention and that leaves openings for either me or another teammate. Some nights it might be me, some nights it might be somebody else, but overall I think it's winning basketball.”
When asked if he's taken over the role of vocal floor leader on defense with Amile Jefferson out with an injury:
“I really focus on being vocal, and Amile's helped me a lot with that. He's constantly in my ear, whether it's on the bench or during a practice. He's made me a better player every day. When he was playing and now when he's not playing, he's still making me better. I think the more vocal I am, the less I overthink things. I'm a little more natural, a little more fluid on the court, and that's something that Coach [Mike Krzyzewski] emphasizes with all of us – talk is the lifeblood of Duke basketball.”
When asked if he'd been working on his free throw shooting:
“I've been practicing, but Coach K really emphasizes that if you really throw yourself into winning, focus on just overall team mission, that the little things will kind of fall into place. I think that's what's happened with my free throw shooting. I'm focused on just winning, talking, and then maybe not overthinking it when I get to the free throw line.”
When asked if he might have to postpone his career in the Army for a shot at professional basketball:
“I'm pursuing a career in the Army Reserves or National Guard, and I'm still pursuing a professional basketball career. My dream has always been to serve as a United States Army officer. My dream has also been to play professional basketball. I've met people on both sides who've wanted to make that happen. I couldn't have a better ambassador for both with Coach K, who had prior military service. The Army has made me immeasurably better this year. It's made me more confident as a leader. I couldn't be more grateful for my Army experience, and I'm excited to see how much better I'll get the more time I spend with the Army.”
Duke Junior Matt Jones
On Duke's fast start to the game:
“We knew we needed a sense of urgency. Virginia Tech, coming off a really good game against Virginia, we knew that we couldn't really give them confidence. So in order to do that, we had to come out and play the game that we needed to play.”
“We're playing really well right now. I feel like on the defensive end we have much more of a sense of urgency. We're taking each game one-at-a-time, and I feel like we're growing. We've just got to keep getting better.”
Duke Sophomore Grayson Allen
On Duke's fast start to the game:
“It was big. That's something that we've been really trying to do – start off games strong. Tonight I think we did a good job of that. We were hitting shots, but I think, more importantly, we played really, really solid defense. We limited their three-point shots and their offensive rebound opportunities, and that allowed us to really get out and push the ball. It gives us a lot of energy, especially when you're playing at home. It gives the crowd energy and we feed off the crowd. If we can play a complete game from start to finish like that, that's what we're trying to do and we'll be good.”
On the play of Marshall Plumlee:
“We're getting more comfortable with each other. Marshall's doing a really good job of playing off guys. He's rebounding the heck out of the ball. He's doing a great job down there. He's really stepped up his play. I think these three ACC games he's been great, and he's learning how to play with the four guards out there, and we're learning how to play with one big out there. If we keep improving and he keeps playing like that, it's going to be really good for us.”
Virginia Tech Head Coach Buzz Williams
On Duke's early three-pointers:
“We did nothing in the first half, offensively or defensively. I think that's why the score was what it was. We were overwhelmed, they were way better, they were way tougher. They executed. I'm not coaching their team, but I thought they executed very well and we did diametrically opposed to that.”
On the speed of the game:
“I had 39 [possessions] in the first half, 9 shots on one pass or less, 0-8 from the field, 8 turnovers, I don't remember our free throw count at that time. How we categorize shots, the things that we track, all of them were not near good enough, not to win or for it to even be competitive.”
On Shane Henry in the beginning of the second half:
“I don't know. We tried to run the same stuff in the first half that we did in the second half. I think when you're down 27 and you know the game's out of hand maybe you play with a little different mindset on both ends of the floor. That would maybe be the only thing that I would say.”
On Virginia Tech's positives from the game:
“I can tell you from Duke. I thought we were better in the second half, but I think a large part of that is because it was such a rout. I guess, to be positive, we could have played the second half like we played the first half and got beat by 50. In the second half, I thought we got a little more comfortable in what we were trying to do. We were able to string together some possessions, consecutive possessions, where we took what we would deem a good shot. Maybe I could say the same thing defensively in the second half.”
On Marshall Plumlee:
“I think the only shot he missed was at the rim on a put-back. I think the six baskets he scored, five of the six were dunks. I don't think that it was our big guy on any of those other than the offensive rebound. I think our guards couldn't guard their guards and they forced rotation and he scored today the same way he did when he had eight dunks at Wake [Forest]. And that is what you're supposed to do. I don't think that it's primarily our bigs not guarding [Marshall] Plumlee, I think it was our guards' inability to contain their guards.”
On satisfaction with shot selection:
“Not in the first half. Justin Robinson made a three, that was the only one. I thought our shot selection in the second half was much better. Obviously we only shot four 3's. I don't necessarily think we are a bad three-point shooting team, but we have to have all 10 toes to the rim and it does need to come off of inside-out penetration. It can't just come because we are floating along the perimeter, we won't make that. But we're not necessarily designed to make those either.”
On Jalen Hudson:
“I think it is consistency. I wouldn't put it all on Jalen. I thought he played great against [North Carolina] State, and then was the opposite of that against Virginia. I thought our team was better in the second half and opposite of that in the first half. So, maybe some of the things that Jalen struggles with, by osmosis we're all catching it, but it's not Jalen's fault.”
On the progress of the team:
“I think you just have to take all of this as an individual round. It's too much of a marathon to get too excited or get too down. I think that's the ground part of it, none of it is a sprint. If we hang onto this too long, then we'll get beat on Wednesday. If we can learn from this and try to get back to being who we have to be in order to give ourselves a chance to win, then maybe it will be a game on Wednesday. I think Wake [Forest] is really good.”
Opening Statement:
“I apologize for being late; I was going over blocking schemes with Coach Rivera. I am not privileged to tell you what he said, but it was an honor to have him here. Our crowd gave him a big welcome; what he and the Panthers have done has been so good for our state. We played well; we played a team that has been playing great. The first half was sensational, not just offensively but defensively. In the second half Virginia Tech was not going to give up, and there were some things that we could have done better, but overall that was a really outstanding performance by our kids. Coming off the huge win in adverse situations on Wednesday night I was really worried about us living in the past and not in the present.”
On Marshall Plumlee:
“Marshall was sensational. He has giving us such an effort these last three games and production. I am so proud of him. I think you continue to get more confidence through accomplishments. Before we started conference play Marshall made a change in how he leads. He was leading mostly by example before then and very well, since the conference has started he has totally vested in leading the team. Some of the things that we are doing offensively, places him in a position where he can be more productive. These last two games he is 13-for-14 form the field, 13-for-14 from the free throw line, a lot of rebounds, block, he has just played really well. He was the key guy for us today and how he defended [Seth] Allen and [Justin] Bibbs, because they could really score the ball and fortunately we played them pretty well and they missed a few so they did not put up the number that they usually put up.”
On the game tempo:
“I do not know how they like to play; I just know that the last two games it seemed as if they were in control of the tempo. They will play fast, but not all of the time. When you start out hitting threes like that boom, boom, boom that can knock you back. They were not playing horrible defense, we just knocked down everything. Then they were playing from behind and we tried to speed things up offensively. Second half I think we got a little bit tired too and they played better in the second half. Overall, I think we played at a pace that was good for us.”
On Brandon Ingram's progression:
“He keeps getting better. I do not want to be an impediment to the pace. He is a really good basketball player. He is position less and I hope he plays great for the rest of the year. He is going to be a special basketball player because he is smart and incredibly ball friendly. In an open court and open game where he is going to be playing, his passing will show up more. He has been tough and good, and he keeps getting better.”
Duke Graduate Student Marshall Plumlee
On his huge offensive output over the last couple of games:
“I'm fortunate to play with some really talented teammates who draw a lot of attention. When you have guys like Brandon Ingram and Grayson Allen getting into the lane every possession, they draw a lot of attention and that leaves openings for either me or another teammate. Some nights it might be me, some nights it might be somebody else, but overall I think it's winning basketball.”
When asked if he's taken over the role of vocal floor leader on defense with Amile Jefferson out with an injury:
“I really focus on being vocal, and Amile's helped me a lot with that. He's constantly in my ear, whether it's on the bench or during a practice. He's made me a better player every day. When he was playing and now when he's not playing, he's still making me better. I think the more vocal I am, the less I overthink things. I'm a little more natural, a little more fluid on the court, and that's something that Coach [Mike Krzyzewski] emphasizes with all of us – talk is the lifeblood of Duke basketball.”
When asked if he'd been working on his free throw shooting:
“I've been practicing, but Coach K really emphasizes that if you really throw yourself into winning, focus on just overall team mission, that the little things will kind of fall into place. I think that's what's happened with my free throw shooting. I'm focused on just winning, talking, and then maybe not overthinking it when I get to the free throw line.”
When asked if he might have to postpone his career in the Army for a shot at professional basketball:
“I'm pursuing a career in the Army Reserves or National Guard, and I'm still pursuing a professional basketball career. My dream has always been to serve as a United States Army officer. My dream has also been to play professional basketball. I've met people on both sides who've wanted to make that happen. I couldn't have a better ambassador for both with Coach K, who had prior military service. The Army has made me immeasurably better this year. It's made me more confident as a leader. I couldn't be more grateful for my Army experience, and I'm excited to see how much better I'll get the more time I spend with the Army.”
Duke Junior Matt Jones
On Duke's fast start to the game:
“We knew we needed a sense of urgency. Virginia Tech, coming off a really good game against Virginia, we knew that we couldn't really give them confidence. So in order to do that, we had to come out and play the game that we needed to play.”
“We're playing really well right now. I feel like on the defensive end we have much more of a sense of urgency. We're taking each game one-at-a-time, and I feel like we're growing. We've just got to keep getting better.”
Duke Sophomore Grayson Allen
On Duke's fast start to the game:
“It was big. That's something that we've been really trying to do – start off games strong. Tonight I think we did a good job of that. We were hitting shots, but I think, more importantly, we played really, really solid defense. We limited their three-point shots and their offensive rebound opportunities, and that allowed us to really get out and push the ball. It gives us a lot of energy, especially when you're playing at home. It gives the crowd energy and we feed off the crowd. If we can play a complete game from start to finish like that, that's what we're trying to do and we'll be good.”
On the play of Marshall Plumlee:
“We're getting more comfortable with each other. Marshall's doing a really good job of playing off guys. He's rebounding the heck out of the ball. He's doing a great job down there. He's really stepped up his play. I think these three ACC games he's been great, and he's learning how to play with the four guards out there, and we're learning how to play with one big out there. If we keep improving and he keeps playing like that, it's going to be really good for us.”
Virginia Tech Head Coach Buzz Williams
On Duke's early three-pointers:
“We did nothing in the first half, offensively or defensively. I think that's why the score was what it was. We were overwhelmed, they were way better, they were way tougher. They executed. I'm not coaching their team, but I thought they executed very well and we did diametrically opposed to that.”
On the speed of the game:
“I had 39 [possessions] in the first half, 9 shots on one pass or less, 0-8 from the field, 8 turnovers, I don't remember our free throw count at that time. How we categorize shots, the things that we track, all of them were not near good enough, not to win or for it to even be competitive.”
On Shane Henry in the beginning of the second half:
“I don't know. We tried to run the same stuff in the first half that we did in the second half. I think when you're down 27 and you know the game's out of hand maybe you play with a little different mindset on both ends of the floor. That would maybe be the only thing that I would say.”
On Virginia Tech's positives from the game:
“I can tell you from Duke. I thought we were better in the second half, but I think a large part of that is because it was such a rout. I guess, to be positive, we could have played the second half like we played the first half and got beat by 50. In the second half, I thought we got a little more comfortable in what we were trying to do. We were able to string together some possessions, consecutive possessions, where we took what we would deem a good shot. Maybe I could say the same thing defensively in the second half.”
On Marshall Plumlee:
“I think the only shot he missed was at the rim on a put-back. I think the six baskets he scored, five of the six were dunks. I don't think that it was our big guy on any of those other than the offensive rebound. I think our guards couldn't guard their guards and they forced rotation and he scored today the same way he did when he had eight dunks at Wake [Forest]. And that is what you're supposed to do. I don't think that it's primarily our bigs not guarding [Marshall] Plumlee, I think it was our guards' inability to contain their guards.”
On satisfaction with shot selection:
“Not in the first half. Justin Robinson made a three, that was the only one. I thought our shot selection in the second half was much better. Obviously we only shot four 3's. I don't necessarily think we are a bad three-point shooting team, but we have to have all 10 toes to the rim and it does need to come off of inside-out penetration. It can't just come because we are floating along the perimeter, we won't make that. But we're not necessarily designed to make those either.”
On Jalen Hudson:
“I think it is consistency. I wouldn't put it all on Jalen. I thought he played great against [North Carolina] State, and then was the opposite of that against Virginia. I thought our team was better in the second half and opposite of that in the first half. So, maybe some of the things that Jalen struggles with, by osmosis we're all catching it, but it's not Jalen's fault.”
On the progress of the team:
“I think you just have to take all of this as an individual round. It's too much of a marathon to get too excited or get too down. I think that's the ground part of it, none of it is a sprint. If we hang onto this too long, then we'll get beat on Wednesday. If we can learn from this and try to get back to being who we have to be in order to give ourselves a chance to win, then maybe it will be a game on Wednesday. I think Wake [Forest] is really good.”
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