Wofford Terriers
Coach Mike Young
Opening statement
“I’m always nervous about the first one, but I guess I’m nervous about all of them. They’ve been on the floor and gotten some confidence. It was interesting, I was watching Greensboro play last night, and you’re judged by your body of work, but teams make changes and improvements and I thought Greensboro got a lot better in the last three weeks and were playing very good basketball. I did not, in watching them play against Chattanooga, Furman and last night against Samford, think that they were anywhere close to being the 8th seed but that’s where they were and that’s who we had in game one. It was a really good win and we’ll look forward to coming and competing again tomorrow.”
On if there is an advantage to playing a lot of guys in the tournament
“I don’t think there is any question. There is very little drop off. I’ll tell you where there is no drop off and that is defensively. I know that I can play John Swinton. When I put John Swinton in for Karl Cochran, I’m not going to get the offense in terms of scoring, but that guy is going to guard you. He’s going to fight you. He’s going to be where he’s supposed to be and he’s going to be incredibly responsible. I could say that about one through ten. I thought that could be a real factor coming into today with Greensboro being so nicked up and only playing seven guys. Maybe that had something to do with it as we moved down the stretch.”
Lee Skinner, Wofford senior forward
On the fan support
“The support we’ve got and gained this season has been great. Our appreciaton of that and the fans, everybody from Spartanburg and Wofford College has been great. To see them come and make that hour drive is something we appreciate very much. They’re like a sixth man and we’ve been saying that all year. We love them for that.”
On what he told the team when UNCG made a run in the second half
“The first thing I told them was that we were fine. Every team has players that can put the ball in the hole. Every team is going to try to make a run. Greensboro did and the first thing I told our guys was that we were fine and we needed stops. We got some stops and broke it back open. There’s never a doubt in our minds, we just have to lock in and stay together.”
Spencer Collins, Wofford senior guard/forward
On the defense
“Every game we just have to come together, rebound and defend. If we put those factors together every game, then we have a good chance to win. We played a good Greensboro team that has a lot of players that can score the ball. Like coach said, if our team comes together night in and night out, we play hard and rebound, it gives our team a good chance to win.”
Wes Miller, UNCG Head Coach
Opening Statement
“I think first and foremost, I am really proud of my bunch. They have been an incredible group to coach. I think people look at your record and think, ‘That was a tough year coach,’ but honestly I don’t feel that way at all. I think we really started to build an identity for our program. I think we found a nucleus of guys who believe in each other and believe in what we’re doing. Other than some of the results, it has been as enjoyable of a year of basketball as I’ve ever had. I enjoyed going into the gym every day. I’m really disappointed that we couldn’t keep this thing going. We played so well in the last four to six weeks. I thought we had a chance to beat anybody in this league.”
“You have to tip your hat to Wofford. They are a tremendous basketball team. They do the little things as well as anyone in Division I basketball. I’m a basketball junkie. If there is basketball on television or basketball in person, I’m going to watch it. I don’t see anybody that does the little things and pays attention to the details and is as focused as that group. I thought that was the difference tonight. Their ability to get hands on basketballs, the focus with which they guard, and their rotations are just so connected and engaged.”
Kayel Locke, UNCG junior guard/forward
On the team going forward
“The past four to six weeks we’ve been playing really well. We really clicked as a group. Unfortunately, Nick Paulus, one of our leading scorers and big leaders, is graduating this year. Somebody will have to step up and take that role but all we really have to do is build on this mentality that we’ve shown the past four to six weeks. We’ve been through so much adversity this year. It’s been so tough. Nobody in that locker room gave up. Nobody quit. Everybody banded together. We’re all brothers in there. We just wanted to figure it out for each other. If we can keep that mentality, which we will because we have a great group of guys that holds each other accountable, we can build something. This year we laid a foundation, as far as mentality goes. If we continue to build on that mentality, the sky is the limit for us.”