K-State Player Quotes
Nov 18, 2005 | General
Junior Forward Cartier Martin
On the defense in the first half...
“What we worked on getting ready for this game was getting back down the floor. We knew they liked to get a lot of transition buckets. They have really quick guards so they like to get down the floor and get easy buckets. We just made it an emphasis to get down the floor faster than them and stopping the ball and making them play half court. We did that real well, they took some bad shots and we took the lead going into the half.”
On the differences between tonight’s game and the
“I think we were a lot more composed. We played a lot more team ball and we ran the floor a little better. I think we did all the right things to win the game. There have been tough practices and they’ve constantly been trying to get it in our head to get back down the floor. Coach has been telling us we have to get up and down the floor and rebound the ball. We rebounded the ball well and got back down the floor and took good shots.”
Junior Guard Akeem Wright
On making his first start...
“I wasn’t nervous. Coach told me I had a chance to start seeing that David (Hoskins) hurt his knee earlier in practice. As far as coming out in the game, we wanted to come out high energy and play defense. I didn’t expect to play that many minutes, but I was happy with it. I played good defense on (Elton) Nesbitt so I guess that’s why he kept me out there longer.”
On K-State’s run in the first half to pull away...
“I think we were just moving the ball, playing together and just beating their press by getting easy lay-ups. We were running up and down the court and got easy transition buckets.”
Sophomore Guard Clent Stewart
On
“I would say that we got relaxed a little bit. We had the big lead and guys were kind of tentative on the offensive side but I think we’ll be fine. I think our guys played well tonight and we’re looking forward to playing
On attacking the basket more...
“Coach told me that this team likes to get up and pressure the ball with the press but once you get into the front court you should be able to get to the basket and to look for those opportunities. That’s what I did, try to put pressure on their guards in the front court and it worked.”
On team chemistry at this point compared to last season...
“Guys are playing pretty well. The team, as a whole, everybody is a close, tight group. It’s definitely a good situation. We’re all really close and its really helping our team chemistry.”
