East Carolina, UCF Postgame Quotes
February 07, 2015 | Men's Basketball
East Carolina Head Coach Jeff Lebo
Opening Statement
"I thought it was a pretty solid game. I was worried about this game because of the emotions of the Cincinnati game on Sunday and the game at Connecticut. I thought we came out a little flat. [UCF] had a week off, and luckily they came out a little flat, too. I thought we got going in the last 10 minutes [of the first half]. I thought our defense during the whole game was terrific. Their two best shooters didn't make a three in the game. [Our guys] were active in the zone and we got some turnovers; 11 steals for us is a lot, and that triggered some fast break opportunities. We scored some in the paint this game, 44 points. I thought we took the ball hard to the rim. Caleb (White) was strong to the basket, and I thought Mike Zangari had his best game in a long time.
"I thought we got solid play from everyone. B.J. didn't really have a good first half with foul trouble, but Terry (Whisnant) made some key 3-point shots for us and Lance (Tejada) made a big play in the first half. We took care of the ball, with 16 assists and 10 turnovers. All around, a good team win for us."
On Mike Zangari's performance
"He came out great for us today and got us got some baskets. He had 10 points in 16 minutes, and really could have had a couple more. He was a factor for us inside, and hopefully that will give him some confidence, We really need someone inside to be able to get baskets for us consistently."
On Caleb White'scoring and rebounding
"Nine rebounds may be the most he's ever had in a game. He's starting to get a little bit more confident, a little bit stronger [on the boards]. To me, he can do so much more than he's shown, although he's shown it more over these past couple of games. He's got to be able to find other ways to grow his game. He took it to the basket, rebounded for us, defended well in the zone, and made a contribution in all areas.
"He's getting better, and getting more physical. He needs to get a mindset of toughness. He's got to get his nose in more. We're doing a lot of toughness drills, and they're helping him to get better, stronger, and tougher, and this league is about that. He needs to do that quickly to be able to play in this league. We put him in those situations to try to help him. I think it's starting to show a little bit, but he's got to be consistent with his toughness and his attitude to work."
On playing at home
"We've played better at home, and we've played much better basketball. We're finally healthy, and that helps us. We've finally found a style that keeps us in the game so far, and that has been our zone. We're getting better at that, and our kids finally have some confidence. It takes some time when you don't have all of your players."
Sophomore forward Caleb White
On putting an emphasis on rebounding
"It is just a way to effect the game in a different way, so I would say it has been an emphasis. It was just all about really embracing it. Last year playing the four, it was like a culture shock being down there to me. They had big monsters down there so I have embraced it. I have gotten stronger too so I think that helps a lot."
On his offensive outburst today
"I was just more aggressive. I usually don't break 10 attempts a lot so they told me to look for my shot more and be aggressive, so I did."
On scoring more points inside
"Guys are just putting their heads down [going to the rim]. We usually rely on the 3-ball a lot, but we saw that we could get to the rim and people just followed doing that."
Freshman guard B.J. Tyson
On the team's home chemistry
"We are starting to play as a team now. In the beginning we just had to find that momentum and find that way together to play, but at home it seems like we have good chemistry, on away games too, but at home we play a whole lot better."
On his dunk
"My teammates get excited every time I dunk. They always say it's a monkey dunk, but I grade it as a 10. A 10 out of 10. I like to get the crowd hyped."
