Nov. 28, 2006
Recap |
Final Stats |
Notes
POSTGAME QUOTES
New Mexico State vs. New Mexico
University Arena/The Pit – Albuquerque, N.M.
November 28, 2006
UNM Head Coach Ritchie McKay
“It was a tough college basketball game. Very much like a post season game or a game to get into the post season. It was very physical. New Mexico States pressure bothered us a little bit. We have yet to be challenged like that since the season started. It was healthy for our team. I liked the way we fought through some adversity, our best player not having a great night. Ryan (Kersten) not being able to play because of sickness. I thought our guys stepped up and willed us to victory.”
(regarding sloppiness)
“I thought it was physical. Again, we haven’t been in that physical of a game all season. I think their defense had a little to do with us being sloppy. I think we may have had a little bit to do with them being fatigued.”
(Regarding Aggie’s Pressure)
“It is hard to simulate in practice and they have a couple different defenses. Again not having (Ryan) Kersten, who is a human press breaker, we struggled a little bit, but we are 5-0. I like the disposition in the locker room. Our guys are definitely not satisfied. We are not used to playing close games and that will be healthy for us down the stretch.”
NMSU Head Coach Reggie Theus
“Obviously we didn’t show up in the first half and that can’t happen against a good team. We had a great second half but who cares. It’s the first half that lost the game for us. I’m very disappointed that D-I basketball players can’t make free throws. We have to make free throws. That’s it.
On the second half comeback:
“We had a very interesting half time. It took that type of effort and that type of heart. That type of effort and that type of heart wasn’t there in the first half. They killed us on the boards. The good thing is, they were shooting 60-plus percent in the first half and we go into half time only down by 12 or 13 points. That was very encouraging and it let our guys know that this is a ball game. But I told them before the game, if you don’t rebound you’re not going to win the game.