Jan. 4, 2007

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Maryland Head Coach Gary Williams
On tonight's game:
"We're pretty good when we look for each other and I thought we did a great job of that in the second half. I thought in the second half we did a lot of things better, which is really a good sign because it's going to take a lot of effort from here on out. Iona had a plus-three rebounding margin going into tonight's game so I wanted to see if we could outrebound them and we did."

On senior guard D.J. Strawberry:
"D.J. Strawberry, if you look at his stat line, you see a guy who is really bringing it every time we play. He's showing great leadership based on what he does for us. He's passing the ball much better than he ever did and he benefited in that area from playing the point guard position last year. He was able to see the court from a different position and now that he's back where he's comfortable I think it's really helped. In my mind he's as good as any guard in the ACC."

On junior Bambale Osby:
"He got lost for a little while but I think he's working his way back. He practiced well the last couple days so that's always a good sign. He's a fun guy to coach, he really is."

On the team's freshman backcourt:
"I thought Eric Hayes and Greivis Vasquez both played well. They play very well together and that's important for this year and for the future. They're just two different people. Eric is a little laid back and Greivis plays with a lot of emotion and they're both very effective. Both those guys have been accepted by the older players which is probably the most important thing you can have as a freshman."

Maryland Guard D.J. Strawberry
On the game:
"We went out and played the second half the way that we want to play against Miami. Hopefully we can continue to play this way, and keep getting better every day in practice."

On being ready for ACC play:
"We're ready. That is what everyone has been looking forward to since we lost to Boston College. From now on, we know that it's going to be a battle every day, but that's what we came to the ACC for. It's going to be the top competition night in and night out. We have to be ready, and everybody is ready and excited."

On mentoring the young team on ACC play:
"We want them to know that you have to be excited, but don't go outside your limits. Enjoy the moment. We're going to be playing against teams that are just as good as us, or even better. We have to be composed, and we have to execute on every play."

Maryland Guard Eric Hayes
On the game:
"We came out in the second half and really worked hard to execute our plays offensively and defensively, knowing that we have the start of ACC play coming up. We want to keep getting better at everything that we do."

On being compared to Steve Blake:
"That doesn't bother me. Being compared to Steve Blake is something that a lot of players wish they could say about themselves. I have to take those comments and try to become a player on my own instead of trying to be the next Steve Blake."

On coming off the bench:
"We discussed it when Coach Williams made the move. Greivis [Vasquez] brings a lot of energy to the court at the start of the game. I'm trying to get used to coming off the bench so that I can go in there and play like I'm starting."

On playing alongside Greivis Vasquez:
"I played the shooting guard a little more than usual today. That's something that we can do when [Greivis and I] are playing together out there. Both of us can take the ball and score from either position."

On getting ready for ACC play:
"I'm really excited. I'm looking forward to playing in front of the sell out crowd for the start of ACC play. I know it's going to be exciting to get out in front of the home crowd for an ACC game. That's what this is all about."

Maryland Forward Ekene Ibekwe
On the game:
"We knew that we had to come out and play well in order to get ready for ACC play. We want to get ready to play good defense, and we know that we'll be ready for ACC play."

On being ready for ACC play:
"We have taken things game by game. We were only thinking about Iona coming into tonight. Every game is going to be tough, and now we're worried about Miami. That's how we have to keep doing it for the rest of the year."

Iona Head Coach Jeff Ruland
Opening Statement:
"We lost to a very good basketball team. We're still trying to get where we need to be. I'm not real happy with any of my guys. De'Shaune Griffin played a little better tonight than he has. Another freshman, Alejo Rodriguez, played pretty well. Other than that, it wasn't good enough."

On upcoming practices:
"I wish we had more time to practice, but we have to play Saturday. We will watch the film, and go back to basics defensively and offensively to try to get a win."

On Maryland:
"They come at you, they are focused, and they work together."

On Iona's lack of leadership:
"You can expect some mistakes from the younger guys, but I need more from the older guys. They don't lead them, we don't talk on defense. It's frustrating."

On Iona's turnovers:
"That's our method of operation this year, unfortunately. 24 turnovers is not going to get it done."