March 18, 2004

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Maryland Coach Gary Williams

Opening Statement
"UTEP is a good team. We watched a lot of tape on them once we found out who we were playing. They're one of those teams that really give us match-up problems."

"We couldn't seem to get enough defensive help when they would drive. They did some good things offensively too."

"This is pretty typical on the way we (Maryland) play. We haven't been able to put teams away this year. We have struggled with it this year and it was just another one of those types of games. I can't remember another team that has been in more pressure situations down the stretch then these players because of that."

"I hope we can continue to play with the heart that we have had and continue to play a little bit better."

On UTEP
"We respect them a lot and the way they played. Sometimes it's there, and sometimes it's not. You have to give them (UTEP) credit with the way their season went, and winning the regular season conference. We don't always get to play a team with good match-ups like that, and they did a good job trying to pick us apart. I thought we worked hard, and we did not play as well as we could have, but may be UTEP had something to do with that."

On player strategy
"I think we do play better from behind, but as a player you have to take pride from being behind, and our guys have a good attitude with that. We are not a veteran savvy team like we have been the past three years, but we are learning with experience. It is usually easier for veteran players to make good decisions throughout the game, but our guys are learning, and hopefully we will improve every time. It is different not having as many seniors, because it involves different teaching techniques, among others, but its been a good year to check my coaching."

Maryland Player Chris McCray

On making important free throws
"I just stepped up there and hit them. That's one of the things I have to do to help my team win. UTEP is a fast team and there was a lot of time on the clock. If I had missed both of those free throws they probably would have come back down the court and won the game."

On the importance of the last foul
"It was definitely a close call. I'm just glad it went in our favor."

Maryland Player Nik Caner-Medley

On having the confidence to shoot 3-pointers
"You have to be able to step up and make open shots. They left me wide open and they were double teaming on the post and I felt like it was the best thing to do for the team. If you have an open shot, you have to take it. You have to make it in those situations. I was fortunate it went in. You have to have the confidence that if you miss one, the next one will go in."

UTEP Coach Billy Gillispie

Opening Statement
"It was a heck of a game to watch and a heck of a game to be in."

"Those guys (Maryland) played hard and we played extremely hard, like I knew we would."

"We came up a little bit short, I think people doubted us all year long on every single thing at every turn, not excluding today."

"We came here to play and we came here to win and we had a chance to do that."

"They (Maryland) have a very good team and they are really well coached. We have a ton of respect for them."

"I think UTEP basketball is back on the right track."

On final sequence of the game
"We wanted Chris (Craig) to have the ball in his hands. He's a great shooter.

"We could have had a better look, but there is nobody I would rather have shooting to win or tie a game than Chris (Craig)."

"I think that he (Chris Craig) thought he could make, and if he thinks he can make it, than he is supposed to shoot it."

On feelings at end of game
"We were the underdogs, and everybody loves the underdogs."

"We had the crowd on our side, and they helped us to make plays down the stretch."

"If you have to play somebody good in the tournament (NCAA) you might as well play them in the first round."

On future of program
"I'm happy for our guys. They are the most unselfish group that I've ever seen. They have character qualities that will serve them well for the rest of their lives."

"I'm so proud for our team, our university and our community because basketball means so much to everyone."

"We have to continue to recruit well. We added a lot of pieces to the team this year, and we will continue to do that in the future."

UTEP Player Chris Craig

On Last Shot
"The referees did a good job tonight. If it was a foul or not they didn't call it. It was a good job on defense. They did a good job down the stretch. We came up a little bit short."

On Maryland Defense Against Him
"As they scouted our team they probably saw that almost every shot I had this year was a three. I'm sure Gary Williams prepared his team well and told them I only get the ball on the outside."

On UTEP Future
"What has happened the last couple of years in El Paso is good for the city. Coach Gillispie has come in and did a good job leading the program in the right direction. I hope that all the players that are returning can continue and improve on this season."

UTEP Player Roy Smallwood

On Team's Performance
"We came out with great focus mentally and physically. We attacked every chance we had. If a couple of balls went our way we easily could have won the game."

On UTEP Future
"This was one of the games you just learn from. We went out and battled the whole year so we could go in and play a game like this."