Nov. 17, 1999

MARYLAND HEAD COACH GARY WILLIAMS:

On the season opener:

"We knew it was going to be interesting. We had a lot of guys out there playing different roles. What we want to do is increase the amount of minutes that we play well. At times during the game we were a little nervous and a little tentative."

"Each team, each year learns things. We have to learn how tough it is to keep that momentum going at halftime."

"I'm very pleased with our guys. We have a good group and we work very hard. It was nice to see some guys come through down the stretch for us. Hopefully, we learn from this and get ready to go again."

On his 400th win:

"It doesn't mean a lot right now, but I'm sure it will someday. To get the season off with a win is the most important thing. This business is a tough business now and it's nice to keep on going. My goal is not to get the most wins, but to make the team the best this year and then you worry about next year when the season's over, that's how I coach. It's their season, not my season. It's about the games we win, not if the coach gets, not my season. It's about the games we win, not if the coach gets 400."

On Juan Dixon:

Juan has been the catalyst, he's been the guy who has gotten us fired up so far. I'm really pleased with the way that he has handled his new role this year."

On Lonny Baxter:

"I think Lonny is a great competitor. H wanted the ball down the stretch and you want that in your players. He's getting better inside and he has developed a jump shot. He is the case of a guy working hard through his first two years."