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University of Houston Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: Houston 97, UIW 58
11/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UIW CARDINALS (3-2) at HOUSTON COUGARS (4-1)
Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017 • Health & PE Arena • Houston
HOUSTON HEAD COACH Kelvin Sampson
On thoughts about how the game went tonight
"Seven days since we played last, I thought we came out with good energy. I don't think we really started competing until I got Corey and Fabian in there, they really raised our energy level. I thought we did a good job the first half of keeping them off the foul line, that's what killed us in Virginia against Drexel, we sent them to the foul line 35 times. Overall, we are moving forward and we got a little bit better in certain areas, Fabian is going to be a good player, Armoni Brooks played well tonight and Grant had some nice moments. First half I wondered when Rob would start playing, but in the second half he started playing and I wanted to watch that one. He had four assists and no turnovers second half. Rob is our best player."
On having multiple players in double digits
"As early as media day in Philadelphia I talked about how the strength of our team will be our depth. As the game goes on I start moving guys in and out and you start to see who's playing good. I thought Galen was good against Wake Forest but not so much tonight, but Corey was outstanding tonight so I went with him longer. Compared to having one point guard last season we have two this year. They keep us playing fast, our depth and our ability to rebound are things that we are pretty good at. We need to keep working on our ball handling. We had so mind-numbing turnovers tonight. These are good kids I enjoy coaching them."
On the play of Fabian White Jr. tonight
"He played more aggressive, Fabian is not an aggressive kid by nature so I have to get him to compete. I don't let up on him, he has a chance to be a great player. I stay on him so hard, there are not a lot of freshmen that can go 14 & 12. We're deep up front, and the guy that was playing well before he got hurt was Chris Harris. Breaon didn't play much so it gives me a chance to give Nura extended minutes. When Chris comes back I think that makes us better."
HOUSTON FRESHMAN FORWARD Fabian White Jr.
On keys to his double-double performance
"I followed the advice my coaches and teammates gave me to play hard during my game minutes. I was able to produce some good results with their advice."
On receiving attention from Coach Sampson during practice corresponding to game play
"Yes I do. I see it, because once I start playing hard, I can be a great player. If I don't, then I'm just average and I don't like being average."
On the strengths of the team overall
"We are physical, we can shoot three pointers, and we have big men that can rebound the ball."
