Postgame Quotes
December 11, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 11, 2004
Southern California head coach Jim Saia:
On first win as head coach:
"It is special night for me, getting the first win. It is special that our team played well. We are on the right path and it is nice that the system is taking effect. Hopefully, this is the first of many."
On his team's play:
"We had five guys in double figures tonight and we shot 54 percent. Our defense was really good at times and we felt our pressure really bothered (San Diego). When you shoot the way we did tonight, you are going to win some games."
Southern California guard Lodrick Stewart:
On his team's play:
"Our defense opens up our offense. One thing I love about Coach Saia is that he talks about defense before offense. We just wanted to win for Coach Saia, our new head coach."
San Diego head coach Brad Holland:
On the game:
"Our guard play was less than desirable tonight. We were very ineffective in getting the ball to the point of our offense - where we could run our offense. We succumbed to their pressure way too easily, we had too many unforced errors and our guards did not do a good job in taking care of the basketball and running our offense. We all played a part in this loss, though.
"This game was for the taking and we didn't step up and grab it - that's pure and simple."
San Diego center Brice Vounang
On whether USD was intimidated by a large school like USC:
"It's not a big factor for us. The game is 5-on-5 - you have your man and you have to play against your man. It wasn't intimidating. We had a chance to win the game and didn't take it. The beginning of the game, they came up strong with a quick 7-0 run. Then there was a timeout and we came back in the game and let it go again."
