The first half was really a disaster. We didn't match Duquesne's intensity. We couldn't make a lay-up. We were very fortunate to be within eight points. The second half, we played tremendous. |
The Temple win was a great win for us. It was a huge conference game, and it was a Big 5 game. In Philadelphia, that means a lot to our alumni. To have our seniors get a win in their last chance in a city game is a huge thing. |
These guys have been through far, far worse. Most of these guys were on the 20-loss team from a couple years ago; last year we were on a seven-game losing streak. They've seen it all. |
They are huge for us. We don't have a lot of offensive firepower. Jermaine and Darnell are solid guards, and we are much better when they are able to make their shots. |
They did a great job doubling Steve. But we had a lot of contributions. |
They turned up the defensive pressure and it revealed a lack of skill on our part. |
They were guarded on every shot (in the first half). That was not an accident. That was not them just being cold. In the second half, we weren't able to sustain that level of effort. They really stayed with their offense. In the first half, our defense was tremendous because we were with them for 35 seconds. In the second half, they stuck with what they did. When we broke down, they did make their open shots. |
This was a great team win. We are gradually becoming a solid program for our level. |
Tonight shows we have more steps to go. But we competed. |
We'll have to come close to that 20-win mark to get a serious at-large consideration. We have to win this next game and the one after that. I don't think it's unrealistic, but I think we're a long way from that. |
We've hit a wall. I don't know if it's physical or mental. I tend to think it's more mental. We're not as focused or as intense in practices or in games as we were earlier. |