Xavier University Athletics
Xavier vs. Massachusetts Game Quotes
01.31.09 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 31, 2009
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Xavier Players
"I don't necessarily consider them big shots, because I consider every shot in the game a big shot."
"Every game is big. Every game is tough. We're going to take every team's best shot. We come ready to play. We had a lull in the first half and then again in the second in taking care of the ball."
On Lowe's final free throw attempt and rebound "I was just trying to get the ball and make sure one of the [UMass players] didn't get it."
"Every game is important to win. We just treat every game like it's the most important game."
"Since I've been here, I've learned that seniors are responsible for getting the job done. It's our responsibility to come out ready for every game and every practice."
"Sometimes I'm floating around the perimeter and they put smaller guys on me."
"Being seniors, we've been there before. We know how important free throws are. At Xavier, our program is run through the seniors, not just being vocal but leading by example. Older players are there for the younger players to learn from."
UMass Head Coach Derek Kellogg
"I thought that was a fantastic basketball game. Xavier is a team that can do some special things with their size and athleticism. Our guys competed for 40 minutes. Our guys showed courage. There was an article somewhere about what toughness is, and I'm sure our guys got a good look at it [today]."
"We stepped up the [defensive] heat in the second half. They were too big and too athletic for us to guard close to the basket. So we decided to pick up their guards in the full court."
On Chris Lowe's missed free throw attempt and potential game-tying tip-in "We were trying to get the ball to hit off the left side of the basket and we got a pretty good tip at it."
On XU's potential in the post season "They have the talent to go deep into the tournament. They're well coached and they're on a mission. They're big and physical."
Xavier Head Coach Sean Miller
"I thought UMass did an excellent job. Their offense and their game plan were excellent. I think they are very difficult for us to guard. [Tony] Gaffney is a unique player. I thought that at times he was very disruptive defensively. For us to be able to win today's game says a lot about our team."
"All three guys [C.J. Anderson, B.J. Raymond, and Derrick Brown] together had one of their best games. A huge three-point shot by B.J. C.J., just `willing' it when things weren't going our way. We are in the winner's circle and we could have been in the other circle."
On B.J. Raymond's game "I'd be one dumb coach not to call a play for him [at the end of the game]. I can't remember too many players in the country playing better than him right now. He had a huge shot coming out of the timeout that allowed us to win."
"A-number one, when you're a guard, you have to take care of the ball. When they get rattled it's hard for the other guys to get going. But they [Raymond, Brown, Anderson] more than made up for what happened today."
