March 6, 2010

Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery

Oakland Coach Greg Kampe
Overall Statement...
"I thought that Kansas City played a really good game. Of the three times we see them this year and the times we saw them on film that might have been there better game they have played. I was really pleased with the way we did. I thought we were outstanding."

On bench play...
"I thought our bench was phenomenal, you lose Derick (Nelson)... And with (Drew) Maynard not been able to play your bench is too down. I thought with (Drew) Valentine and (Ledrick) Eackles and (Will) Hudson that our bench was phenomenal. (I am) Very pleased the way we played, not sure we could have played better than that.

On rebounding advantage...
"I don't pay much attention to that kind of stuff. We're a very good rebounding team. It's something we expect we need to do; it's something we talk about it every day. Our staples of our team, I think is defending and rebounding. It's good to see that. But, we're big and they're small, so if that wasn't the way wouldn't be sitting here today."

Jonathan Jones
On the pressure to win the title...
"I wouldn't say there's more pressure. It's been a motivating factor to get back to the championship, and actually get to the tournament. For this group of guys, we've had that as our top goal. Clinching the regular-season was one of our goals, so we're just trying to get the next one."

On day of rest tomorrow...
"That's a big thing for us. We want to get rested. And get Derick healthy and maybe get Maynard more chance to get more prepared. It's going to help us a lot."

UMKC Coach Matt Brown
Overall statement...
"Obviously, Oakland is a terrific team. I think Oakland will be a great representative for the league. We really competed in the first half, unfortunately we got in foul trouble, with Trey (McKinney-Jones) with three fouls, and Jay (Couisnard) with three."

"They (the Golden Grizzlies) made some pretty tough shots there are the beginning. We cut it to five at one point in the game (28-23), but it hurt not having Jay and Trey out there. They're a very good team. I think they will represent the league well."

On if this is Oakland's tournament to lose... "Yeah, I think so. But in college basketball, anything can happen. Big thing is how (Johnathon) Jones distributes the basketball. (Keith) Benson and (Derick) Nelson are good scorers but Jones is the one who keeps things going. As long as Jones can stay healthy, they'll have a great chance to win it."

Spencer Johnso
n On Oakland's rebounding advantage... "In the first half they got a lot of the 50-50 balls, the loose balls, and a lot of offensive rebounds. A lot of times they just outworked us. They just went harder and outrebounded us at times."