UTSA Head Coach Brooks Thompson
Opening statement …
"Obviously, we're thrilled. Our guys have really worked hard and keyed in on this game for a long time finishing our year last year. We made some big shots; I thought that Melvin Johnson coming in as a freshman and hitting those four three-pointers gave us a really big lift. I was disappointed we got outrebounded by that margin, but I was very happy with our defensive effort, only giving up 26 points in the first half and 24 in the second.
"I thought it was a pretty well balanced game. I thought Iowa went through some lulls, and I think that our defense had some effect on them. We really respect the way they shoot the three-pointers, and I think we were fortunate with them being 5 for 27, and I thought they missed some open ones which is uncharacteristic of them because I know that they're going to make a lot of shots. On the flipside, I did like our defensive intensity and our effort."
On having a more experienced team than Iowa …
"Experience is very hard to compensate for. It's the first year since I've been the head coach here that we've brought back this wealth of experience. I think Iowa has a lot of talent out there to work with and they're going to become hard to reckon with when they do gain that experience. We won quite a few non-conference games on the road last year and I think it's paid huge dividends."
On winning in Iowa City after two previous consecutive losses …
"It means a lot. On the flipside, I try to instill the mentality in our guys that we're Division-I basketball players as well and they deserve to go anywhere and win. It does mean a lot to our program though, with the tradition of Iowa Hawkeye basketball. I try to instill in our guys that we should be able to go in and win anywhere no matter if it's the Big Ten or anywhere. Is that realistic? Probably not, but that's what we instill."
Iowa Head Coach Todd Lickliter
Opening statement …
"Here's what I would like to do, if you will allow it. I would like totalk about the positives here. We defended about as well as any team Ihave had in a first game, especially with the amount of experience wehave. I was very pleased with that. I was pleased with our effort oncoming back, playing a team that is very well coached and experiencedand that starts four seniors and a junior. They are a good team; thereis no doubt about that. They had a really good spurt and our guysbattled back. And I really appreciate that. I appreciated the way wedefended, it has to be something where we learn and we grow becauseoffensively we struggled. There is not an excuse for that. Last year wehad problems trying to manufacture good shots, this year though wedon't. We can get a good shot and we can pass the ball to one another.There is no excuse for that; we have to get that corrected. I believethis team will be competitive, the Hawkeyes will compete, our guys arecompetitive. Texas-San Antonio is a good team and my hat goes off tothem. I am disappointed in the loss but I am not disappointed in ourguys."
On getting in a groove …
"I thought we did after they got into their flow on that 14-0 run. Wekind of settled down and started attacking and we got some prettydecent looks. We started to get to the line. It took us a long time toget into a flow. I do think we shot it fairly quickly several times, Ithink they are shots we can make but when you aren't, you've got yourhands full. We shot 18% from the three point line. If we do that we arereally going to have to guard, there is no question."
On the freshmen …
"I wish I would have gotten Brendon a little bit more time, I wish Iwould have done that-that was my mistake. He deserves it, he's earnedit, but we got down and we started to make a run and got back in it. Ijust felt like the guys who got us back in it had to stay in there andfight it out. I was proud of them for getting back in it.
"Eric and Cully, it is a whole different game; the speed, the coaching,the schemes of the other team, the physicalness of the other team. Youcan talk about it all you want; you can't simulate it in practice. Wehad growing pains tonight but I believe they are tough, they've gotgreat potential, they are competitors and they won't accept this-andthat is a good thing.
On Matt Gatens and Anthony Tucker's struggles …
"Oh my goodness. If you take them both out there right now they aregoing to make shot after shot after shot. I thought they were a bitanxious tonight. If it's not dropping and maybe you are trying to dosomething you aren't quite comfortable with-it is tough. Those guys areso capable they've got to shoot; if you just saw them tonight, maybeit will be a good thing. Maybe they will get a hold of this tape andback off of them. I believe in them and I believe they can shoot."