Post-game press conference notes

[lou v]

Wake coach Danny Manning

Felt like a conference game for both teams. "With 3 minutes to go in the game, we were right there...they made the plays down the stretch."

On McIntosh: I wasn't surprised. With the weapons they have this year, he's been more of a facilitator but he can take over a game like he did.

On John Collins: He could be even better if he stayed out of foul trouble. They stress defensive position with him...poor positioning leads to fouls.

 

[lou v]

Chris Collins comes in with a T-shirt. "We had a little water fight in the locker room."

"That was a good old fashioned fistfight, in my opinion."

"I can't say enough about Sanjay Lumpkin. McIntosh was fantastic...but Lumpkin was magnificent tonight." Guarded Collins the last seven minutes.

McIntosh: "That's the guy we know."

Skelly: "He was fantastic...doing a little bit of everything."

"I really like how my team's playing. I love coaching these guys."

On the water fight: "The guy's think it's funny when they ruin my suits." He takes off his jacket and tie so just his shirts get messed up. Says he's been working out, so he may go bare-chested.

McIntosh: "He's a perfectionist." Been talking to him about his shooting the last couple games. "You've missed a bunch...that means to me that you're going to be on fire."

Veteran leadership: "It was toughness. We had the will that game. It wasn't going to be a pretty game...our defense was going to win that game."

Pardon banged his hand. Went to locker room. He was out, which is why Lumpkin played Collins so much.

On Brown not playing: Jordan gave us a nice burst. Goes with hot hand. His defense was big for us. "I'm not down on Isiah."

McIntosh's three straight drives to basket: They were hugging our shooters (Lindsey and Law), which opened lanes for Bryant. They trapped everything off the pick and roll. The big guys got tired and he was able to turn the corner. "Him getting those three layups were huge...that built his confidence."

DePaul game: "It's a great game for the city. It should be played every year." "When you play local teams, there's a little more at stake."

 

[lou v]

Sanjay Lumpkin

Dealing with Collins: "It's tough. You gotta do the dirty work." Told Coach James to put him on Collins. Thought he could give him some trouble. Tried to push him out in the post and box out. "It takes all five guys."

Defense: Find the shooters, especially in transition. Had key stops down the stretch.

Difference in this team: "Our bench is amazing." We have great spirit compared to other teams.

Win a close game: "That's what we talk about every day, making those plays."

McIntosh taking over: "We all know that's what B Mac does...we all expect that out of him. He seizes that moment." "We all trust him. It was great to see him have a great game tonight."

 

[lou v]

Bryant McIntosh

Comes out sporting a blood-stained, puffy lip and says: "How y'all doing?"

Jumper in transition got him going, then got on a roll with a couple layups. "Seeing the ball go in the basket always helps."

Crowd: "Gives you a little more juice. The atmosphere was unbelievable." Praises the student section.

3-point play: The big guy hedged. They had a play called, but he "saw a lane you could drive a semi through" and took it to the hole.

You were 8-for-8 in the second half: "It's about time." (Great line) "Coach was saying this week that the law of averages will come out this week."

"I put a lot of pressure on myself because I wanna play well and help this team win...I can get down on myself. I'm really hard on myself." Praises teammates for preventing him from getting too down.

Law and Lindsey: "I'm really proud of them...they're too capable scorers that can make us difficult to guard."

Getting elbowed in the mouth: Made him think of the movie Hoosiers. "I heard coach say 'Patch him up, patch him up!'"

Praised the play of Skelly and Lumpkin: "Lumpkin was unbelievable guarding Collins."

That's a wrap...

 

[ricko654321]

Thanks Lou!! These are always good to read.