March 5, 2011

Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery

Oakland head coach Greg Kampe
"I think that this game shows how tough our league is. I thought they played really good basketball. Southern Utah peaked at the end of the season. They made shots and rebounded very well. In the old days number one seed usually had a cakewalk. We are really pleased with the way we played and we are happy just to move on."

on getting back here
"There is a reason we have done what we have done recently, over the past three years. They (our team) have bought into winning. We have sold them on that. We don't buy into number or stats; if Oakland plays good we win, if we don't, we lose. No kid has bought more into that philosophy than Reggie Hamilton. When we beat Tennessee, he wasn't on the floor during the final three minutes but the first kid to jump into someone's arms at half court was Reggie Hamilton. That is the type of kids that we have and it is the reason we are successful."

on preparing for the first game of the tournament
"I have been around a long time. I learned a long time ago, I didn't use to be like this. I used to plot and chart. If they lose we can do this and if this happens we can do that. What you have to do is worry about is what is next. Our next worry isn't who we play next but tomorrow. How do we win tomorrow? Are we going to get to bed tonight or are we going to screw around. Are we going to practice right and do the right things? Are we going to eat right? Every moment of every day is important. So that is what we have to do is win the day. It may sound like coach speak but it is really how we do things here, it really is."

on how this game and the one on Saturday with Southern Utah was similar
"This game was identical to Saturday. I think the score is identical or close. Then (last Saturday) we were close or behind and we scored six points in the final 30 seconds of the half. And, I think Reggie scored eight points in the final minute tonight. I was ready for a timeout but he shot and made it. So we got that lead. I never felt comfortable. We played extremely well, we really did. We played great defense. I thought that kid Jackson (Stevenett) played really well. I never felt we were in control. With eight minutes to go, I thought let's get some rest and if they get within 10 points we can bring the starters back if we need to. The key was Reggie Hamilton's making big plays. Great players make plays."

Oakland center Keith Benson
on the win
"I think we are serious and focused and this is the most important part of the season. This is the most important part of the season. It is important that we win and move on."

on his defensive presence
"I have played pretty much same game defensively. I try to get opponents to think about me defensively, so they have to adjust their offensive games. That way, it will help out team."

Oakland guard Reggie Hamilton
on his play
"I am happy with the results. I am really pleased with the way we played. That is the greatest accomplishment is coming out with a win.

on Oakland putting it into another gear
"I am pretty sure with every game everybody on the team is excited. I think tonight as we got into the game, the momentum kicked in and stayed with us for 40 minutes. I am pretty sure everybody is excited."

Oakland guard Travis Bader
on his play and hitting some early three-point baskets
"It (hitting the three-pointers in the first half) definitely helped with this being my first conference tourney and all. I just wanted to come out here and do what I can to help the team - to pick up the energy when needed. I just try to help the team any way I can."

Southern Utah head coach Roger Reid
"We played a great basketball team. They've got so many weapons. When they're playing well, it's tough to beat a team like that. We just played a team that shot the ball extremely well (53.6 percent for the game). They have so many weapons, when they're clicking it's tough to beat a team like that. (After losing to Oakland last week, we had a good week of practice and came in confident, but) You don't beat a team like that unless they make some mistakes. We came in here to win a basketball game. There's three things you have to do. Number one is play great defense. It's pretty tough with the strength they have inside. Number two you've got to rebound. We did that. (outrebounding Oakland 32-30) The third thing is execute offensively. We did that the first half. (shooting 54.5 percent) In the second half we were down and we hurried (on offense, shooting only 40 percent). We're not going to see Benson any more, not going to see Hudson any more. That's good. We just played a better basketball team. In all the leagues in America, they've got the best (league) record. Two losses (in league in two seasons)."

on how much better Oakland is than the rest of the league
"Quite a bit, but it wouldn't shock me to see somebody beat them in this league, but it's going to take a great effort. I've talked to coaches who have been around a while and they say this is as balanced as they've seen the league."

on defending Reggie Hamilton
"When you're playing somebody that is a great shooter and has a great quickness, that's a double-edged sword."

on Coach Reid's plans for next year
"Always plan to come back. We've got a lot of kids coming back."

Southern Utah forward Jackson Stevenett
"We let a team score (46) points in the first half. You can't do that and beat a team like that. We were all real confident we could stay with them (the Grizzlies, in today's game)."