Jan. 27, 2008

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Maryland Head Coach Gary Williams
On tonight's game:
"The key was that they were able to even up the rebounding in the second half. There were several there that we could have had which would have given us more than one shot at the basket. We didn't do that. When you play a good team, you have to do things the right way and we made some mistakes by not getting the ball. In the first half, we played with a lot of energy and we didn't come out with the same energy after halftime. We tried to get things stirred up and it didn't really happen. It was a fight the whole second half."

On the performances from seniors Bambale Osby and James Gist:
"I think they're both playing at a good level right now. We do have to rebound but it's not all on those two; there are a lot of team rebounds. Duke got us in the second half. We out-rebounded them in the first half, they got us in the second half and we weren't in a position to give them a couple of possessions down the stretch when it was close."

On what the team needs to win tough games:
"We're doing it. We've won six out of our last eight games. We beat the No. 1 team in the country and had the No. 3 team in the country down nine at halftime. We just didn't get it done in the second half. We're not perfect. We have two days to get ready for Virginia and we're going to be ready. We have to play every game, every situation. We were that way for a long time and we want to get back to that level."

Maryland Senior Bambale Osby
On Duke:
"In the second half they made some adjustments. They were trying to push James [Gist] up further so they made some big adjustments. The key was that they had a lot of steals in the second half and that's what killed us, especially in the last minutes of the game."

On losing the lead:
"We came out of the locker room and we were fired up. I think we just had a whole bunch of turnovers that we weren't expecting to have and the lead just dropped like that and I don't think it was a slow start. I think it was the turnovers that hurt us."

On the second half:
"We need to become a better team that can play with the lead. I think we did a horrible job of playing with the lead and once we lost it, we were playing catch up and we just couldn't catch up because they were playing smart with the ball."

Maryland Sophomore Landon Milbourne
On the loss:
"I think we came in this game pretty confident that we could win. In the first half we proved that, but in the second half we didn't do what we did in the first half."

On preparation:
"I think we were prepared. I think we got our heads back on our shoulders two days ago in practice. We just didn't carry it over into the second half."

On losing the lead:
"I think we got a little satisfied with our lead. I know we were pretty confident that we would keep on scoring but we had a couple of turnovers and they had a couple of loose balls that we should have had and they just took advantage of it. We just need to hustle more, it's plain and simple."

Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski
Opening Statement:
"It's a big-time basketball game. It always is when Duke and Maryland play. Obviously I'm really proud of my guys for making some big plays in the second half. One, to get us back into the game and two to give us that lead at the end. I thought DeMarcus Nelson just led us so well. He was strong in every sense of the word: offense, defense, and leadership. We kind of rode him and I thought he gave our team that strength that we needed. We're proud of the win. Anytime you can win in here against one of Gary's teams it's a good win."

On Maryland's inside play:
"We had trouble with their big guys. A lot of people have had trouble with them and we'll continue to have trouble with them because they're good. In the second half we negated that a little bit."

On the team's second half play:
"It's the most impressive half of the season. Nolan Smith played like a real good veteran. We had some adversity and whenever a team handles adversity in a positive way and turns it into a victory its always very gratifying. We're proud of our guys."

On the team's halftime adjustments:
"We were giving up too much. That was the most somebody had scored against us: 51 points. So we changed our point of pickup. In the first half we were penetrating, but hardly ever did we kick. In the second half we had a good balance. So we were just trying to get settled down."

On the atmosphere in Comcast Center:
"They have great fans. They support their team in a magnificent manner. It's always an honor for us to come up here and play in this environment. When you win in that environment, it's really good. We have a lot of young guys on our team and it's a good thing for them. But they're a really good basketball team."

On Maryland senior forwards James Gist and Bambale Osby:
"Osby and Gist gave us and will give a lot of people problems. They're very poised. That three that Gist hit to cut it from six to three was a huge shot. When their 6-9 inside guy does that; he's playing really well. We tried to not let them get so low against us [in the second half]. So if they got it at least they were a little bit away. You're not going to stop their scoring. You have to try to limit it a little bit. Gist is a pro, he's really good. He's really as good as any big kid in our league. I think he's playing like a senior. He's a heck of a player."

Duke Sophomore Gerald Henderson
On Maryland's play:
"[Bambale] Osby had a heck of a game. He is really strong and he has gotten a lot better since last season. [James] Gist obviously is a heck of a player, too. We did a good enough job on them. On the start of the first half, they were getting whatever they wanted. But we came and stepped it up a little bit and tried to get the ball out of their hands and defend other guys."

On Duke's team:
"We just try to help each other. We know that we are not this dominating post team. We just have to fight guys and help each other out. We don't want guys playing one-on-one in the post because we don't feel that our chances are good at that. We have to help each other out and attack them on offense."

Duke Senior DeMarcus Nelson
On the second half:
"The way the second half went we just came out with our mindset. Our mindset was that we weren't going to lose this game. We were going to will the win, whatever it took. We were going to execute on defense, execute our game plan, try and get Osby and Gist to pass the ball. Offensively, we wanted to attack them and make plays."

On Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski:
"We are out there fighting on the court and he is out there on the court coaching, fighting for us. It was a heated game. He is doing the best job that he can do on the sidelines, fighting for us."

On Duke's game plan:
"Pressure the ball, contain, try and force turnovers and then make buckets off of that. That is what we do. We definitely were able to do that tonight again and it was great. Everyone really stepped up in the second half and played tremendous. Gerald had a terrific game. Nolan [Smith] was huge down the stretch and you have to give it up to Kyle [Singler] and Lance [Thomas]. Both of those guys really played their butts off. They played against probably the toughest frontcourt that we have played all year with Osby and Gist. Those two guys are really good and I think Kyle and Lance did a really great job with those guys."