March 16, 2007

Press Conference Quotes
March 16, 2007
Boston College Eagles

HEAD COACH AL SKINNER

How has Tyrese Rice developed this year?
Tyrese's development is really a great story. You're talking about an individual who coming out of high school is one of the state's all-time leading scorers, so we always knew he could score. What everyone was worried about was `was he willing or able to run a basketball team'? Last year he really had a great experience with Louis Hinnant and a real positive influence on him. The transformation this year to actually do it, he's willing to take the responsibility, and it's very difficult, there's no question. At least in the way we play because when mistakes happen on the floor, particularly on the offensive end, a lot of times I'm not talking to the guy that made the mistake. A lot of times I'm talking to him because he's the one that initiated the offense. He's the one who dictates where the ball goes, how it goes, and he's been willing to take on that responsibility. He's really trying to balance his scoring along with his leadership and direction of this basketball team. As I said, it's a lot of responsibility because he has to answer to a lot of people. He's got to answer to his teammates, he's got to answer to his coaches, and that's a lot. When you do it and you do it well, that allows us to be successful, and I think that's a lot of the reason he was selected second-team All-ACC.

Where does Jared fit in the players you have coached ...what do you see that we don't?
Obviously it has been a pleasure to have individuals like him in the program because he brings a love to the game, a dedication to the point that he continues to try to challenge himself. He too is willing to accept responsibility, and he has always wanted to compete against the best. People say that, but not everybody is willing to work at it as he has. Because of that, along with his intelligence and his understanding of the game, it has allowed him to become an outstanding player. It makes it easy to coach an individual like that. The thing that I think I have to guard against sometimes is because he is really such an exceptional individual that way that maybe he doesn't get the criticism that I think sometimes he should. You kind of give him a little more leeway. That's the thing I think I need to guard against a little bit because in order for us to remain the team that we need to be, everybody has to be consistent. But for the most part, to have individuals like that in your club, it makes it a joy to be involved in this profession. I know there are a lot of difficult things in this profession, but that portion of it is an enjoyment and something that you're real happy about, especially when a young man continues to improve and exceed everyone's expectations but his own.

How is John Oates playing, and what can we expect from him tomorrow?
Since he's been here, John has probably been our best interior rebounder, in the sense of getting balls in traffic. He's been that for us. He's been our physical presence. He's taken on the load. Even when Craig was here, he still was the guy that did most of the replace work, and he has continued to do it. For him to be able to do that defensively and then offensively try to run our offense and stay relaxed enough to shoot the ball on the perimeter is an indication of the type of young man that he is. A lot of perimeter oriented players - I'm talking about big men - don't like to mix it up, don't like to involve themselves. He's willing to do that, and that's extremely helpful for us. Again, a person in the offseason who has put in a lot of time trying to improve himself mentally and trying to get a good understanding of what we do and is consistently trying to help this club improve. When he shoots the ball on the perimeter or has an active body, he just makes us a better club.

Is it fair to say that Georgetown is one of the elite programs in the country?
There's no question that Georgetown has a tremendous history. John (Thompson III)'s father obviously helped him establish that, and he's continuing it. They've had outstanding players and teams. They've won championships. When you think about Georgetown you think about an outstanding basketball program. That has been well-established and well-documented. For a little while there, there was a bump in the road. They weren't as successful as people had thought, but still, it's Georgetown. I think a lot of people said that about Georgetown. It still has tremendous name recognition and is one of the programs in college athletics that I think everyone knows about.

What do you like best about tomorrow's match-ups, and what are your concerns?
There's not a lot about the matchups I like. If we could play the Sisters of the Poor, I'd take them on and get to the next round. With that being said, I think they present a lot of problems. They have good size. They have good ball handling. They shoot the ball pretty well. I think they're an outstanding club. They've had a fantastic year. They're playing with a lot of confidence. There are not a lot of weaknesses, I don't think, in this Georgetown team. It's going to present us with a problem in the sense of their size and what needs to be done. We have to rebound the ball well. If we can stay somewhat even on the backboards, I think we'll be in pretty good shape. I think everyone's aware they like to get the ball around the basket. We have to try to contest that and try not to let them get a lot of easy looks inside with that ball movement. There are some challenges that lie in front of us that we're going to have to prepare ourselves for.

Have you seen an offense this year that does what Georgetown likes to do?
Not exactly. But you're seeing some wrinkles of it, and we have a couple of players that are a little bit familiar with Georgetown. We played them when we were in the Big East, so we're a little bit familiar with them. I really have some basketball junkies on this team. They watch the game. They watch other colleges play. They're pretty familiar with them. When you have young men like that, sometimes it's easy to do what you have to do because they've seen it, and they have a pretty good understanding.

Can you compare and contrast the ACC and BIG EAST?
I don't know if there is any really contrasting styles because the BIG EAST has changed since we have been in it. They have added some new teams, and I'm not really familiar with all the new teams. My point is it's just quality basketball. There's some good basketball, some good coaching, some good players. We probably didn't see a lot of zone in the ACC, but you didn't see a lot in the Big East either because Syracuse is the only one that consistently plays zone. Everybody does a little something different, so I'm not sure if there really is a contrast in style. Like I said, in both leagues there are outstanding players and coaches.

How difficult is it to play against a team that is so patient on defense?
I don't think it's at all difficult because that's what we do, and we practice against it every day. For us, it's not really a challenge because our mindset is of that. They want teams to defend them, and we understand that because again, that's what we do every day. We're obviously not a transition team. We're not trying to sprint up and down. We're not trying to score 95 points a game, so I think we're going to be okay as far as that is concerned.

STUDENT-ATHLETES JARED DUDLEY AND SEAN MARSHALL

You guys played Georgetown two years ago, what do you remember about Hibbert and Green? And if you've seen them on tape lately, what changes have you seen in them?
Dudley: Hibbert, from his freshman and sophomore years to now has definitely changes a lot. He was definitely a little less coordinated back then. He's gained a lot more weight. He's just gotten a lot better. You can tell he's spent a lot of time in the gym working on his game. Green, definitely just a lot more polished. He's more aggressive now than he was before. They are both good players, I played with them in the summertime. It's a different team, they are the go-to guys and before they were role players. So it's going to be a different game when we play them Marshall: Hibbert is a better low post scorer than the last time I saw him. His moves are a little more polished. Green has gotten a little better off the dribble as well as being a better outside shooter than the last time I saw him. They are both really good passers too.

Can you compare the ACC to the BIG EAST. Are the athletes different? Is one more physical? The style of play different?
Marshall: I think the BIG EAST is a little more slowed down than the ACC. A little more grind-it-out game, a little more physical, bigger bodies. The ACC is a little more athletic and little more up-and-down and fast paced. Dudley: When you compare the BIG EAST and ACC, the BIG EAST, when we played is a lot different than it is now, obviously after converting the two leagues, with Conference USA, Cincinnati, Louisville. When we played in it there were a lot of give-me games, you could definitely count on for wins. The ACC isn't like that - as you saw NC State make it to the finals in the ACC Tournament. I think the ACC is so much more athletic, the athletes are so much different. A lot deeper teams, you know, Georgia Tech goes 10 deep, Clemson goes nine, Carolina goes 14. It's so much different.

Talk to us about the flex offense. Why was it so effective and how did you execute?
Marshall: They played us man-to-man the whole game, usually teams mix it up a little bit. But we were very patient too. We waited for screens, we made strong cuts and we got the ball where we wanted to in our offense. When we do that we are pretty good at executing our offense. Dudley: That was probably the first time they've had to go against a flex all year. We practice this everyday, we go over it, we know the counters. They were so much oversized, they are just as deep as us - they only play seven or eight guys - so they didn't have the athletes to extend their defense. We had the ability to be patient, unlike in the past. So we just took our time. With cutters, when you are going through it the first time, you struggle, just like we struggled with their motion offense - they were getting a lot of open looks, getting towards the basket. Any time you go against someone you've never seen before you are going to get wide-open looks.

Can you talk about that last year you were in the BIG EAST? How difficult was it for you to be caught in the middle?
Marshall: The biggest thing I remember about that is just going on the road. The fans kind of got us - calling us traitors. It wasn't up to us. We enjoyed playing in the BIG EAST, I know I did, it's a great experience, playing at the Garden for the BIG EAST Tournament. I do miss that. But we moved on to the ACC, we've been successful in it. It's good to go back and play against Georgetown. They are a great team, should be a great game. Dudley: I just basically think it's the best of both worlds - you get to play in two great conferences. But if I had to do it all over again, I would love to play in the ACC. UConn and Syracuse are both good teams, but when you say North Carolina and Duke its different - star power, Tobacco Road and everything and Coach K. This is definitely a dream come true - growing up and watching the ACC, I just dreamed about playing in this conference. Its no disrespect to the BIG EAST, it's just different here.

As two Californians, before coming to BC did you have any feel or any sense of the school as a basketball school? Or was it almost a blank slate for you?
Marshall: I know when I was getting recruited, before BC started recruiting me, I had no idea they existed. I just paid attention to the West Coast schools - Oregon, Washington, USC, UCLA, those teams. Those were the teams I was interested in growing up. I mean, I watched Carolina and Duke, but I never went as far east with Boston College. Dudley: I watched a little bit. I didn't know that much about Boston College. I do remember them losing to USC. But with me, it didn't matter what school I went to, it was about the opportunity to play and the opportunity of a good conference. I didn't want to settle and go to maybe San Diego State, the Mountain West or the MAC. There is nothing wrong with mid-majors but you don't get the exposure you need, or I wanted to have. So Boston College was the opportunity to play right away, the BIG EAST. They weren't the bottom of the BIG East. I did know about Craig Smith and his stats and Uka (Agbai) coming back. And being able to play right away - I couldn't pass up that opportunity.

Jared, can you talk about what it's meant to you to have this opportunity? And have family come see you play, I know your dad is from this state, and everything around that?
Dudley: It's always been good. Especially for my dad to see me play - he hasn't seen me play much through high school, him living in North Carolina. So any time I come here I try to get him and my cousins I don't see very much tickets. I was a huge, huge Tar Heel fan growing up, obviously with all the light blue I hated Duke. That's one thing I regret, not being able beat Duke in my two years of playing in the ACC. It means a lot to me, when it's all said and done, when I'm done playing basketball and I'm looking back with my kids. That's what this is all about - I'm trying to make this my living, make this everything that I can and go as long as I can with it. So, playing in the ACC, playing at Boston College, keeping the legacy going, me and Sean trying to get further and further representing the conference and representing ourselves.

Sean, what are the one or two most important things that Jared does to help you guys win?
Marshall: I think the first thing when I think of Jared is, he's the smartest player I've ever played against. He's going to help you be in the perfect spot when you are on the court with him. He's always going to put himself in the right position to be successful. He uses his mind more than anything on the court - just maneuvering around the court, finding the open areas. He finished well - I would say that is the second thing. He is a great finisher. Regardless if he's getting contact he's going to find a way to put the ball in the basket.

Jared, you watch a lot of basketball, you know a lot of basketball. Did it surprise you last night when Duke lost to VCU?
Dudley: It did, just because of the name Duke. When you watch Duke play, even with struggles this year, they are a definitely a good team. A lot of the games they lost were close. They just struggle with guard penetration, keeping people in front. This tournament isn't about who is better, it's about match-ups. And right now our match up, I like our match-up with Georgetown. For them, VCU's ability to pressure you and penetrate you just didn't fit their style of play.

When you came out for that first practice session here, were your surprised you were greeted with the ovation from the Tar Heel fans? And was it the first time you felt the embrace of the "ACC family?" And do you think you'll have a lot of support here against the Hoyas from the ACC fans?
Marshall: I wasn't too surprised. I know we talked about as a team, thinking we might get that support from the ACC family. We are in the ACC too. When we are playing against ACC teams they're not rooting for us. But since we're down here, they might as well do it, support the conference. Dudley: I definitely wasn't surprised. North Carolina fans are definitely respectful. They want everyone to win in the conference, except for Duke. It's the ACC conference and we're here basically in ACC country and they want us to go as far as we can, unless we play them. Jared, what do you like about your match-up with Georgetown? Dudley: The reason why I like our match-up - we are somewhat familiar with this team. Their style of play - they love to slow things down and run clock and that's what we like to do. They don't like to run and gun, having the game in the high 80s, they'd rather slow it up and so would we. When we've struggled this year, it's when teams have been a lot more athletic than us and over pressured us. We'll see if they can do that. I feel confident about our team. I feel like right now, in this situation, with this team, it's definitely a winnable game and no one is picking us so it's even more incentive for us to do well in this game. Its starts from me at the top, leading this team and as you know Tyrese has definitely raised his level and so has Sean. So if us three pick it up, we are going to be fine.

How did your role change when Sean Williams left the team?
Dudley: Without Sean Williams I just got to be more of a leader. I don't think I've shot the ball more, I've had to rebound a little bit more. I've had to play the four. I'm not the most athletic guy so I'm just trying to wall you up. I just put you in a position to let Tyrelle block shots. So I just wall them up and buy our shot blocker maybe one or two seconds. I'm just trying to lead; I don't have to score to be a impact on this team. My mouth and the way I talk will lead this team in the right directions.

Talk about the last game in the tournament, against Villanova, does that loss still stick with you?
Dudley: To be honest, no it doesn't. It's two different teams. I can't dwell in the past. I was definitely upset; I thought that was our year to get to the Final Four. This year is totally different. It's two different situations, two different teams. We just don't want to lose and go home. It's my last year, its our last go `round - me and Sean - I'm trying to make the most of it. There would be nothing sweeter than to get this win and go back to BC to get ready to go to New Jersey.

Sean, give me your thoughts on playing defense against a Georgetown team. You are mostly a man-to-man team, but Georgetown has given teams fits when teams play man-to-man defense against them. Do you anticipate Coach Skinner coming up with a wrinkle? Maybe playing a little zone? Talk about the challenges that Hibbert and Green give you trying to defend them.
Marshall: I think we are going to do a little of both - a little man and a little zone - just try to give them a different look. They are such a great passing team, it's hard to defense them. They do a lot of back door cuts and they finish well inside. Everybody steps out, they have a couple guys that can shoot on the perimeter. It's definitely tough to defend a team like this - just try to give them a couple different looks, switch things up.

Talk about Tyrese Rice and the maturation he has gone through this year?
Dudley: It wouldn't be far off to say Tyrese was a first team all-ACC guy this year. Statistically looking at him as a top-four or five in scoring, first in assists but he doesn't have the name of a Singletary or Dowell. But if you look at the head-to-head match-ups that he had against them, I think that hands down he won it. The difference is that you've got to earn your respect. But over his time, he has better decision making of when to score and when to pass. And for this team, he needs to score. For us to be successful he has to score the ball. He's got to pick and choose his spots. I think when he first got here his shot selection was poor, but we could definitely get away from that with Sean Williams, Craig Smith, myself helping him out. But with this team we can't. Our margin of error is so small so he has to pick and choose his spots - especially when I'm out of the game or struggling he has to go and he has to get Sean Marshall good shots. Because if it's just him and me we are going to struggle somewhat, the game is going to be a lot closer. He has the biggest job, being the point guard he is the leader on the team, even though I'm a senior and the go-to guy, it's definitely his team just as much as anyone here. We can only go as far as he develops and improves and so far, I don't think there is anyone playing better than Tyrese right now.