Pregame Quotes: Duke At Maryland
2/11/2005 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2005
Head Coach Gary Williams
On Duke:
"They really play hard, that's Duke basketball and it doesn't matter who the players are. It's a little unusual how they play because just when you think you've figured out how to cover the three-point line you remember they have a good inside scorer in Shelden Williams. They have a good balance and they're doing a great job rotating their seven players."
On the atmosphere of Comcast Center:
"Crowds are interesting. If you're a tough team and you go on the road to play, crowds can help you. They can help you really focus. Sometimes if you go on the road and it's a half-empty gym and it's not a great feel then it doesn't get you into the game. Duke is used to playing in front of big crowds. Every place they go is usually sold out. They just walk in and play their game. For most teams, the home crowd is a big advantage and hopefully it will help us tomorrow."
On different players stepping up their play this season:
"That's what you need. When you have an injury you have to be able to dig deep and some guys have really stepped up for us off the bench."
On Will Bowers:
"To his credit, he has improved. He can do more things with the ball. He's also starting to figure out that with his size, he can be more of a defensive force. You don't necessarily have to block shots, but your presence in the right place can bother players."
On John Gilchrist:
"John Gilchrist is a very good college basketball player and he's very important to us. He played very well in our last game against Duke and he played great the other night against Virginia Tech. He's really looking forward to tomorrow night."
On getting motivated for tomorrow night's matchup with Duke:
"I get motivated for big games, not just Duke games. I was motivated when I coached against John Chaney, because I've watched his teams play since I was a high school coach. I know what he's done to get where he is. I like games where you're playing against great programs."
Junior forward Nik Caner-Medley
On the atmosphere of Comcast Center:
"The fans definitely love the Duke-Maryland game. The atmosphere can really help us tomorrow night. This team will use the energy in the building to help us."
On the national spotlight on this Duke-Maryland game:
"It's great for this program. It's great to have attention for all the good things that this program has done. It's definitely going to be a lot of fun to have the game on television and have ESPN College Gameday here. But in terms of the way you prepare for the game, you can't change that. Personally I'll do that same thing I do before every game."
Senior guard Mike Grinnon
On the recent rivalry between Duke and Maryland:
"This game is definitely a big game. After beating them in the ACC Championship last year and beating them on their court this year fires them up a little bit. They'll be ready to play this game, but we'll match their intensity."
On tomorrow night's game:
"Anytime you beat a top-10 team it goes a long way. All we can do is be ready to play. The thing is though, we don't want to put too much pressure on ourselves. We'll treat it like any other game in the ACC."
Junior guard Chris McCray
On defending Duke guard J.J. Redick:
"It's going to be a great matchup. He's so good at moving off ball screens so it will be another test for me and I'll try to pass it. He's a great shooter but he goes to the hole a lot more now and if he gets fouled you know he'll make his free throws."
On beating Duke earlier this season:
"They always play hard. Down there, we played hard too and got the win. We've got to match their intensity tomorrow night."
On team chemistry:
"We definitely like playing with each other and it shows on and off the court. We're so close and I like our team chemistry."
