University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn 78, Fairleigh Dickinson 54
12/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 8, 2010
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Connecticut Men's Basketball
Connecticut v. Fairleigh Dickinson
Player Quotes
December 8, 2010
Kemba Walker
"It was a good win. I thought we gave a good effort. It was a solid team win. A lot of guys got involved today. It was a good overall win for us."
"We've got to try to put together a solid 40 minute game."
On 32 three point attempts
"There were a lot of open shots. We just missed. I'm just glad guys were even just taking the shots."
Shabazz Napier
On how he would grade the freshman, including himself, after eight games
"I'd give us a B-minus or a C-plus. We've been working hard through the season so far."
Jeremy Lamb
"Coach is always telling me to be aggressive and I didn't come out as aggressive as I should have. So he took me out, gave me a quick break, and told me `you got to be aggressive.' I went back in and tried to be aggressive, made some plays for my teammates, and then was able to knock down a couple of buckets."
On the first half
"In the first half, we got out to a good start and then we kind of slacked-off and they made a little run. At halftime our coaches let us know we have to pick it up."
On coming back after a poor first couple of shots
"People always tell me as a shooter you are going to miss shots but you have to stay aggressive. That's one thing that's sometimes tough for me - I sometimes lose confidence or I won't shoot anymore. But I was able to stick it out."
Roscoe Smith
On helping out Kemba Walker
"We have to step up with anything - points, rebounds, and just communicating. But we have to step up if we want to be that nationally ranked team that we are. K-Walk can't do it all by himself. Teams out there are going to box-and-one and double him, so we have to step up big time."
What do you make of being 8-0 right now?
"We are 8-0 right now but, at the same time, we are not satisfied because there are things we can still work on and things we can still improve as a team and as individuals. So right now, we're just taking one step at a time."
On his consistency over the last few games
"I'm feeling more comfortable. I'm picking my spots and I'm getting open. I'm just being aggressive offensively and defensively."
December 8, 2010
Connecticut vs. FDU
Connecticut Head Coach Jim Calhoun
"We're getting near final exams...it's a little difficult for them to concentrate as well as I would like."
"We actually played terrific defense early. Then we kind of let up a little bit. Then I think in the second half, not that dissimilar than the other night. We really turned it up well."
"One of the things I was happy with is it wasn't just The Kemba Show. Other people got involved."
"Maybe two of the 32 threes weren't good threes - Roscoe's, particularly wasn't my favorite - but, generally speaking, we need to shoot those shots. And all we have to do is make them. And we're capable of that."
"I think we were able to do what we did in the second half tonight better against something that we haven't seen much of - the box and one and two-three matchup zone."
"We got open shots. And we really turned the defense up, and ran."
"We have to continue to make progress, because I can see us at Pittsburgh and, some of those plays we made tonight, we're not going to make those kinds of plays there. We're just not. They're not going to allow us to. So we have to get ourselves a little more simplified, tighter. We didn't hedge on screens late. We have to hedge and continue to do the things that we do every single day in practice."
"Tonight, I would like more, but I thought at times we ran very, very well. I really thought we moved the ball well at times."
"Overall, it's a pretty good start for this team."
"We're a long way from 40. We need to be at 40. We need to be at 40 minutes. And we've shown we have the ability to do that. And that's all coaches want. We want 40 full minutes. With my admitted lack of patience, I want to be there now."
December 8, 2010
Connecticut vs. FDU
FDU Head Coach Greg Vetrone
"Coach Calhoun, his whole career, has gotten those guys to play at such a level of speed. Defensively and offensively, their speed level is something we've never seen."
"I've seen them play on tv and I've watched some tapes, but when you get up in a game, live - and I watch a lot of games - their speed and the way they close out on the court is incredible. That's always been a Jim Calhoun trademark…But I know they're young and they're freshmen, but if that team keeps coming, and Kemba can keep it rolling and some of the freshmen start developing, this team might make a serious run because of the speed that they play at."
"If you don't play that style, it's hard to compare with the way they play."
"They get down the court faster on made baskets than missed transition baskets."
On Kemba Walker
"He's a great player, and he's demonstrated right now - there's no if, ands or buts - that he's the best guard in the country. If anybody is debating that, let them come out here to Storrs one night and watch him. It's not even close. His speed level, his strength, the way he takes the ball to the basket in traffic, is incredible. People don't realize what a great passer he is. He made two or three passes tonight that I couldn't even see and I'm down there on the floor."
