University of Richmond Athletics
Men's Basketball Post-Game Quotes
01/18/2006 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 18, 2006
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Richmond Head Coach Kevin Steenberge was making for us at the top of the key were very big for us. He and Jermaine (Bucknor) played very well for us and that is what we need."
On Kevin Steenberge 3-Point Ability
"Kevin (Steenberge) has the ability to make those shots - at the top of the key, he seems comfortable there. He took one all of last year. He can make that shot and if it is available then he should take it. The ones he hit tonight were big."
On Richmond's Defense And Composure Down The Stretch
"Even though it became such a grind, we still played defense well. We didn't panic or try to force anything - finishing the game with nine turnovers. I am pleased with that because it shows composure and competitiveness that is important to have."
Saint Louis Head Coach Brad Soderberg
Opening Statement
"I want to compliment Chris (Mooney) on the job he is doing (at Richmond). It is hard to establish your system in your first year and I think he is doing it, especially as intricate as the `Princeton' system is. He is doing a great job and deserves a lot of credit. I am very disappointed with the way we played to start the game. I am also very proud of the way we fought back in the second half, but I still think Richmond deserves more credit than we deserve blame."
On Richmond's Shooting In The First Half
"The things I recall are the 3s in the first half. They had seven 3s at halftime and 32 points. Twenty-one of their 32 came from there and they had one free throw. They may have snuck a couple inside, but I was not displeased with the way we defended the back-cut. We worked hard on that. I have to be able to find answers on how they got so many open 3-point shots. To their credit they hit them. (Kevin) Steenberge was big-time today. It is one thing to have the shot, and it is another to make it, and he really stepped up in a big way."
Richmond Center Kevin Steenberge
On His 3-Point Shooting
"It is way easier when they are falling for you. Hitting the first one always gives you confidence. (The Billikens) weren't coming out at all on them so I figured I might as well keep shooting them. It is nice to have the freedom to do it and actually execute and make them."
On Staying Calm When The Opponent Comes Back After A Big Run
"Between the two of us (with Jermaine Bucknor), we feel like we are the old men with the amount of experience we have compared to some of the other guys. We are so used to not panicking. You can go on the greatest run in the world to start and everything can be going your way then all of a sudden you find yourself down. We have been in so many situations like that with great teams in this conference. All it really is staying calm and making sure we instill that in all of the other guys."
Richmond Forward Jermaine Bucknor
On Trying To Hold A Lead Throughout The Game
"It has been something coach has been keying in on - try to keep leads so we don't have to be in a situation at the end of the game like we were in - being forced to make free throws to win the game. When you are up 15 no team will be fouling you like that at the end of the game."
On Richmond's Backcourt Handling Pressure
"The coaches do a lot of scouting other teams on how they apply pressure. Then they bring it into practice on the scout team, which does a great job of pressuring us. They play us hard everyday in practice and cause turnovers. When we get to the game then we are so used to seeing that similar defense all week long. Our backcourt guys do a great job of handling it during the game."
