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.
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.
came points team tough tried
If we guard, we're a tough team to beat, because we're able to put points on the board. Really, it just came down to us getting stops, and if they tried to make a run, we had to answer.
coming east florida game losses pick positive south struggling team thick three tonight wide
This was very big. South Florida is a team that's struggling right now. It's a game we needed, coming off three losses in a row. Tonight got us back into the thick of things. The Big east is wide open. We can pick up things from here and go on in a positive way.
early forgot happened loss moved team time
We moved on from that loss a long time ago. It happened early on in the season, we're a different team now. We really forgot about it.
conference deal four gets great respect shows teams
Any conference that gets four teams here shows you how competitive it is. We've got a great deal of respect for that.
carried definitely gave hold knew maybe onto picked second start state string strong teams wins
(The N.C. State win) gave us a lot of confidence. It definitely carried over, because when we were down at halftime, we got a real strong start in the second half, and we knew we could hold onto it. Maybe we'll get some recognition and start to string on some wins and be one of the teams picked to make the tournament.
character coaches deal expected great hear season shown shows team work
All season you hear the doubters, you know what's expected of you. You work through it. This team has shown a great deal of resilience. It shows the character of this team the coaches and the players.
believe came expect points score stake tall team teams win
We can't let teams score 89 points on us and expect to win every game, but when it came down to it we gutted it out, we didn't give up, and this team has been like that tall year. There's too much at stake and we believe in ourselves.
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.
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.