Donald Copeland
Donald Copeland
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.
clears guys pushing shots work
We got a lot of shots up, put in a lot of work offensively. We had some real competitive practices, guys really going at each other and pushing each other real hard. Something like that clears things up.
game guys kelly knew ncaa sure tournament
We want to play in the NCAA Tournament so this game was huge. Kelly and I had to make sure the other guys knew we couldn't ever quit. We huddled when we had to let them know. We had to want it more.
anybody coming guys needs places regardless saying
Sometimes guys are coming from places where they're not used to anybody saying anything to them. Regardless of how anybody's going to take it, when you feel like something needs to be said, you just say it.
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 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.
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.
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.