Nov. 14, 2008

Maryland Head Coach Gary Williams

On the game:

"I thought Bucknell did a good job in the game slowing the tempo down and making us play defense. On top of that, we were very impatient early on and took some forced shots. We were in a hurry to score, and we felt there was something wrong because we didn't have a lot of points. Maybe that is what happens."

" We have some guys who need to learn some things. We are learning on the fly, so there were some things I thought we did some really good, but we just have to be consistent with the way we run our offense and pass the ball. Defensively, possessions are big. In the second half, we had the game pretty well in hand. Of course this time of year, we're still working on some things. You win by 29 and you see some good things you can work on to get ready for Tuesday's game."

On defense:

"I thought both teams were a little nervous. But I thought we made some good plays defensively where we got some stops because we weren't scoring. If you learn that you can count on your defense, you are going to have games where you don't shoot the ball well, and if your defense is good enough you can hang in there until you get it going. We were working pretty hard on the defensive end in the first half."

"We have to learn to play and talk, and do a great job as a team in the second half defensively. Bucknell doubled their scoring in the second half, so we have to talk better down the end better in front of their bench."

On the rotation and what lineups work best:

"When I told you that I knew three starters going into yesterday's practice, I wasn't kidding. Cliff Tucker has played well on a consistent basis since we've started practice. He had the right to start. Sean Mosley was playing great but then he missed eight practices because of his ankle. Jin Soo (Kim) didn't get to play until a week or so ago. So a lot of things have happened this year and we are still looking for ways to find the right combination. We obviously need to have an inside presence, especially on the defensive end of the court. I thought the ball got to the rim too easy tonight.

"We are used to having (James) Gist and Bambale Osby where a mistake wouldn't show up as a mistake. We are the type of team that is going to have to look to do everything right defensively because we might not have that same shot blocking ability. That doesn't mean you can't be a good defensive team, there are other things you can do."

On an extra emphasis on rebounds:

"I always emphasize everyone rebounding. I thought there would be a lot of long rebounds because I thought Bucknell would take a lot of threes. We need more rebounds from our big people. It's as simple as that."

Maryland Sophomore Cliff Tucker

On the defense:

"We need to stop the ball inside, Coach says we need to really work on that, so hopefully we can improve in that area"

On feeling more relaxed this year:

"I'm a lot more confident, I'm playing more aggressive this year, not passing it as much, because I know if I am aggressive we should be able to score more."

On The Terps getting better as the game went on:

"Yeah, both teams started off a little sloppy, I think we were a little nervous at first and were trying to do too much, but as the game went on we got better and more relaxed."

Feeling more comfortable in the offense this year:

"I'm more comfortable this year, last year I was kind of nervous, I know the 1, 2, and 3 positions pretty well so I am more comfortable this year in the offense."

Maryland Guard Sean Mosley

On playing in his first game:

"I was really hyper during the beginning of the game. When coach (Gary) Williams told me to get in, my heart started racing, and it took me a little while to settle down."

On his injured ankle:

"My ankle feels 100 percent now. The trainers worked with me a lot since I have been hurt, and they got me back really quick. This is definitely the fastest I have ever come back from an injury."

On the play of his defense:

"I have always been a hard worker on defense, but I was not hitting the shots I usually do this game, so I really wanted to make up for it on the defensive side of the ball tonight."

Maryland Forward Landon Milbourne

On his intensity during the game:

"I try and start out the game with a lot of intensity to get the team going, and I do the same in practice. I think it has been really working out for us because everyone is playing with a lot of intensity.

On the team being nervous in the beginning of the game:

"I don't think anyone was scared during the beginning of the game. I just think we were all a little too hyper, and we didn't play under control. We weren't moving as well as we should have been, either, but once the ball started falling, we started to settle down."

On the style of the interior defense this year:

"Our defense is a little shaky right now, but that is to be expected - it is early in the season. There are plenty of things we need to work on, but we will get it together this week in practice."

Bucknell Head Coach Dave Paulsen

On the game:

"It was a rude introduction for my first game at Bucknell. I felt like early on we really competed defensively and did a good job. We, obviously, struggled to get baskets on offense and execute. Our defense was like a football team's defense that's on the field and on the field, and eventually just breaks. I think that's what happened in the second half. We talked about stopping their transition and taking care of the ball, but we really had a hard time replicating Maryland's pressure in practice."

On the team's inability to hit open shots:

"When we didn't turn it over, we got some looks. We're used to practicing against guys that don't look or move quite like the guys from Maryland. I think if you make a couple shots early and make some free throws, then the nerves kind of settle down. I think the free throw shooting is indicative of some nerves from playing a team like Maryland the first game of the year."

On whether the pregame ceremonies contributed to Bucknell's nerves:

"It's, obviously, a thrill for our guys to come in and play in an environment like this and, for me, to coach in an environment like this, but at the end of the day it's basketball."