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University of Louisville Men's Basketball Post-Game Quotes
December 12, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2009
Recap | Box Score | Notes | AP Action Photos 
Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino
"We played hard tonight but we're just not playing good basketball right now. Defensively that has been our problem, we are letting teams shoot way too high of percentage. It is really hurting us because we are not able to get stops. And when it was a four point game, we have to make our free throws to have a chance of winning. We let it go the other way because we didn't make our free throws. We didn't even come close on our foul shots. So it is very disappointing. We just have to keep working on our defense. We are not passing the ball either. Our players have lost confidence and are throwing the ball in the wrong places. We have to get back to passing the ball better as well."
(On team attitudes) "I think losing always brings disappointment. From Day One in practice reminds me of the team after the Final Four team. The next year the guys thought they were the reason for the Final Four and they didn't play well defensively. It is almost a carbon copy of that. I don't think our guys realize why we won two championships last year and why we went to the Elite Eight. It was because those three guys worked their butts off on defense. They are not recognizing that because everyday we watch the practice film it is not a good day at the defensive end."
(On Jerry Smith injury and playing) "He practiced yesterday and today he did okay, except we missed some crucial free throws that we gotta make. He has got to get some extra time shooting free throws. He is a much better shooter than that to be shooting that percentage."
(What next?) "It is really old fashioned hard work. This is really not new to me. I have seen it from Day One of practice, this defense has been lagging. I have been telling you that since Day One. We gotta recruit. We gotta keep working on the fundamentals of the game to improve. We have to recruit. Our talent level is not where it needs to be right now. We need to get on the road and beat the bushes right now."
(Changes in lineup?) "I think I would have started TJ (Terrence Jennings) if he would have worked hard in practice. But he is not giving it in practice. Obviously, we have to get more rebounding. We can't just stay on the rim, we have to get above the rim and grab the ball. We are rebounding are like we are point guards up front. We have skinny freshmen and sophomores grabbing rebounds. We need our big guys hitting the glass harder. They are struggling picking up the scouting report and doing the right thing. The other team put a clinic on them tonight. We did really silly things on defense. They are a really good basketball team, let's give them credit where credit is due. They are very good. But we are just not going to pay attention to any names or reputations. We are just going to play guys who want to work the hardest on defense are going to play. We are at that point where we have to improve and get better."
Western Carolina Head Coach Larry Hunter
(On turning the game around with under 5 minutes to go and Jake Robinson's 3-pointers) "Our guys did a great job. We got him in transition a couple of times. Our guys really look for him late. He's a difference maker and he can put some daggers in you. We were fortunate to get the ball to him and we were fortunate that he hit them."
(On Jake Robinson being streaky shooter) "Somewhat, although he's been pretty consistent most of his career. He's a pretty good shooter; he's up over 30 percent. He's not exceptionally athletic and people get up on him so sometimes he has some tough looks but we want him to keep shooting because he stretches the defense a little bit."
(On what this win means to his team) "Well it is really good for our kids. We have a veteran team and they've been through the other end of this. They've earned it, they really have over the last several years, and it has not just been this year. It's a good group with great chemistry and its something we can continue to build upon. I know we caught Louisville at a really good time. They've got injuries. I talked to coach before the game and it's tough. It's really tough out there when you're hurt, people playing with bad wrists and those kinds of things. But they competed tonight. I thought both teams competed really well and we're not a bad basketball team. It's really a good road win for us and we're very grateful but I certainly wish Rick and his team well too. They'll be fine when they get healthy and get people back in there."
