University of Connecticut Athletics
Post-Game Quotes: Yale 45, UConn 44
12/5/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Head Coach Kevin Ollie
It was just another miscommunication in the corner. That corner is not my favorite corner.
I've got to do better job finding the right combinations that can come out there and play and do what we expect and play UConn basketball.
We've got to find some toughness in that locker room somewhere, because I'm not a loser and the guys in that locker room are not losers. We're at the bottom right now.
It's one of two things: We either stick together as a group and fight and try to go win against Coppin State, or we point the finger and make excuses and separate. It's an embarrassment. Yale played good. Yale is a good team, they're a veteran team.
On toughness
We've got to get tougher as a group. I just don't see it from my frontcourt. I don't see it from my backcourt. Toughness is not just going to hit somebody. Toughness is being mentally tough. At the end of the game you have to be mentally strong and communicate. As a team right now we're not doing it.
On rebounding
One thing I was really hanging out hat on was our rebounding and it just let us down. I've never seen it before in my life: One offensive rebound in a game.
UConn Player Quotes
Redshirt sophomore guard Sam Cassell Jr.
On the state of the team following Friday's loss
"We just need to pick it up and practice on Saturday. When we come apart, we just have stick together. We're 3-3 right now so we definitely need to stick together so we can put a mark in the winning column."
On what UConn will work on at practice this week
"We'll be working on a lot of communication and defense. We also have to make shots. But mostly we just have to communicate. That's the most important thing."
Sophomore Center Amida Brimah
On the lack of offensive rebounds
"We didn't come out aggressive the whole game. I think that's what really bothered us."
On whether there is a lack of team chemistry
"I don't think the chemistry of the team is what it was last year. Until we get that together, it's going to be tough for us."
Yale Coach James Jones
I thought that it was a great effort from us on the defensive end. Our guys stuck in there. They played through adversity, and I was very happy to see us come out victorious.
What does this win mean for the program?
It's been very difficult for any team in the state to come in this building and win a game, let alone anyone else. So, coming in I felt like our team was ready to do it. I think that the way we've played so far this season we've been ready to do it. We've been ready to have a signature win. Tonight showed that our guys stepped up and got it done. If the game was 40 minutes, we probably led for 36-37 of it. We weren't behind very often in the game. I told the guys in the locker room no matter how old they get, if they get Alzheimer's or dementia, they'll remember this for the rest of their lives.
