March 19, 2011

Recap |  Final Stats |  Notes

Cleveland State Head Coach Gary Waters:
(Opening statement) "This has been a great year, and regardless what occurred out there today. Some days the ball just doesn't fall for you. Our shooting is what got us here, and today we were shooting and it just didn't fall for us today. I'm proud of our guys. We talked about the two seniors and what they've meant to us, and I'm proud of those guys."

(On how Norris Cole ranks with other players he's coached) "It's obvious, he's one of the best players I've ever recruited in regards to the total package. Not just the basketball player he is, but also his leadership."

(On the poor three-point shooting) "If I sum this whole thing up it would be that one thing. And that never happens to us. Hats off to Cremins and bunch, they came in and did what they had to do to win the game."

(On if he got everything from his team) "Oh shoot, and more. Think about it: You win 27 games, you don't have a bench, and you have to rely on your three point shooters. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that was a good job. And not by me, by the team. This group was a pretty special group. I've had some pretty special teams, but this group is up there, because they worked."

Cleveland State's Norris Cole:
(On his career) "I'll remember the time in practice in the offseason. That's when we bonded the most, and that's what I'll remember."

(On what happened today) "It was just a bad shooting day. Some were just bad shot selections, others just didn't fall for us."

(On what goes through his mind on an off day) "We play the game one play at a time. After one bad play, you can't think about it, that's what real players do, so we just move onto the next play."

(On the end of his CSU career) "It's been a good journey. The best moments have been the relationship I built with Dray, I've been competing with him since we got here. The championship my sophomore year, the 27 wins, those are things I will remember."

Cleveland State's Aaron Pogue:
(On the key to his good play) "We knew we had to attack these guys inside, we talked about that all week. They played good defense, but I think I could have done a little more."

(On what he needs to do to be a leader next year) "I know that I have to get in the gym and work harder. Just go and work on those moves so I can be a bigger threat on the offensive end. I just have to get into the gym and work hard."

College of Charleston Head Coach Bobby Cremins:
(Opening statement) "That was an interesting game. It wasn't a thing of beauty. Boy, Cole can play some defensive. They took us out of our game, and we were trying to everything to get the game to Drew, but we couldn't get into our flow. We had trouble scoring, but, thankfully, they were not shooting well."

(On the poor offensive shooting by both teams) "I'd like to say it was our defense, but I couldn't say that truthfully. They couldn't make some shots. We couldn't make some shots. It was not an offensive clinic, I can assure you. It was a defensive game, it was an offensive struggle, that's all I can say."

(On other guards to whom Norris Cole is similar) "He's built a little bit like Travis Bess. He's strong like Travis and Stephon Marbury. He's got a lot of great qualities. He's tough, he's tough. We heard so much about him going into this game, and we were scared stiff of this guy."

(On playing on the road) "It's a real pleasure to come here to Cleveland. I was hoping with the NCAA games going on, they would have to come to Charleston like Dayton."

College of Charleston's Andrew Goudelock:
(On Norris Cole's defensive play) "He's the best defensive player I've played against this year. He's strong and he's quick."

(On the key to the win) "We just stayed with it and trusted each other. We played defense most of all. Our offense really wasn't hitting shots. This wasn't an offensive game for either team."

College of Charleston's Donavan Monroe:
(On Norris Cole's defensive play) "I think he actually played defense so well it took away from his offense. He's good."

(On how big was the victory) "It was a good win. I don't think it was anything special. I mean, it's an NIT win. Second round. We move on to another game, which I think will be even bigger."