Donald Copeland
Donald Copeland
ball becomes defense open shared start transition
I think it started with our defense and getting open shots. We shared the ball well and when you start off well in transition the half-court becomes easier.
against ball key looking poised pressure push run staying
We can't really play at their pace. They're looking to push the ball and pressure you and make you play fast. The key is staying poised against them, making sure you're doing what you want to do. You've got to run your offense.
ball defensive game guy handle losing loss passes stan tremendous
Losing Stan is a tremendous loss for us. Stan is the kind of guy that can get into the game without scoring. He can handle the ball for us, he's a defensive stopper, he rebounds, he passes the ball well.
ball four moved passes three took
They moved the ball around. Most of their possessions, I think they had three or four passes before they took shots.
ball floor guys main played shared situation
They had a situation on their team, but this was about us. The main thing was we wanted to get better. After the long layoff we wanted to get out and play -- and play well. We shared the ball well, guys spaced the floor well, and we played pretty well off each other.
ball best credit defensive good offensive run share surprised
They're a good team. They share the ball well, they run good offense, they've got good players. It wasn't our best defensive or offensive game. That surprised me, but there's nothing you can do. You give them credit and we didn't have it today.
becoming beginning guys identity roles special stick team
I think we're pretty much a different team because we have more of an identity now. Guys are becoming more comfortable with their roles and things are beginning to jell for us. If we stick together, I think we're going to be able to do some special things.
hurting problem sitting stretch team
It has been a problem for me the whole year. Right now is an important stretch for us. If I feel I'm hurting the team I have no problem sitting out.
bit confidence duke good lost obviously played road team time undefeated won
I think they were a little bit surprised. We hadn't won on the road yet, they were undefeated at home. We lost to Duke by 53, they lost to them by four. But we have confidence that we're a good team. We're obviously a different team from the time we played at Duke.
anxious name nervous stomach suspense turn
You always get nervous and anxious when your name is not called. There's all this suspense and then they went through two brackets and we weren't called. My stomach started to turn a little.
bit close focused found game given plus prepared stay streak ways winning
Our winning streak has given us a little bit of confidence. Plus we've found ways to win. Each game we go into, we're focused and prepared to win the game. We're not prepared to just stay close with anybody.
handled man shows type
It is disappointing, but the way he's handled it shows what type of man he is. He's never made any of this about himself. For him, it's all about the team.
few games given gonna last win
We can't get away from who we are, and we've always been a defensive-minded team. The last few games we've given up a lot of points. We ain't gonna win like that.
anyone change preparing regardless win
That doesn't change our preparation. Regardless of who anyone picks, we're preparing to win the game.