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University of Houston Athletics
POSTGAME QUOTES: Houston 63, USF 40
1/28/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
USF BULLS (8-14 • 1-8 American)
at HOUSTON COUGARS (16-4 • 6-2 American)
Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 • Health & PE Arena • Houston
HOUSTON HEAD COACH Kelvin Sampson
Opening Statement
"The guys on our defense were outstanding. We're getting better at all the things we work on defensively. We spent a lot of this week bringing other kids up to speed. Basketball is just a game of actions and you have to be able to guard multiple actions. We really worked hard on our defense this week and it showed today."
On the lack of shots during the first half
"I think our offense struggled today. I've never had a kid shoot and try to miss; they all try to make it. The difference between this game and the Tulsa game was that our three-point balls were on target. Armoni shot balls that looked like they were going in, but he missed eight in a row. I don't care about that, because you don't hang your hat on making three's, you hang your hat on something that can travel. The next game we play here we might make 15 three's, but that's not what's going to win big games for us. Every game we've won this year has been because our defense has been good."
On Fabian White's performance
"Fabian is a high school five-man in a developing four-man's body. You can tell that he is still a center in some ways, because of the way he passes. He passes like a high school center. He has improved in a lot of areas tremendously, but he has to improve his decision making when he has the ball. He turns the ball over too much and that's due to inexperience and playing in positions he's not comfortable in. He's come a long way, but he's got a long way to go. Fabian is going to get a lot better and has a chance to become really good."
On the next game against Cincinnati
"All good teams win at home. There's a reason why we're 10-0 at home. I'm not focused on beating Cincinnati. I want us to get better in certain areas and if we do, we can go and compete. Up to this point, Cincinnati is the best team in our conference and they should be. They're a lot like how SMU was last year. Cincinnati has four seniors that have been together for a very long time: (Gary)Clark, (Kyle) Washington, (Jacob) Evans and (Justin) Jenifer. Our guys have been together for about five months. If you were to ask me who the best player in this conference was at this time, I'd say Clark. It has nothing to do with statistics, but how he impacts the game. You can make cases for Rob Gray, (Wichita State's) Landry Shamet, and (SMU's) Shake Milton, but the guy that impacts his team by winning is Gary Clark. His statistics will never look great because Cincinnati plays team basketball. I absolutely love that kid."
On the coaches' cancer awareness efforts
"We raise a lot of money for cancer research. It's the one disease that affects us all directly and indirectly. I lost my mother and grandfather to cancer. We have all lost someone to cancer and that's something we can rally behind and do our part. One of these days, we will fight it and beat it."
HOUSTON JUNIOR GUARD Corey Davis Jr.
On if he is looking forward to the next game against Cincinnati
"Coach makes sure that we are very focused. We know we have a big game coming up, but we have to take everything one step at a time. We shouldn't rush to get to the next step, but instead focus on what's in front of us."
On how much the team talks about NCAA tournament possibilities
"That is something big to us, because we have been working very hard all year. For the fruits of our labor to come through in that way would mean a lot to us."
On how the team compares to the other top teams in the conference
We all know there are a lot of good teams in this conference and every night we battle. We know that we always have to come with our best because Wichita State, SMU and Cincinnati are great teams."
HOUSTON FRESHMAN FORWARD Fabian White Jr.
On the team's defense
"Coach preaches defense everyday and we try to get our defense ready. It's a big deal, because the defense can win you games."
On how he'd grade his performance
"Probably a C+ or a B-, because of the turnovers."
On the difference between high school and college basketball
"I wouldn't call it easier, but it is slowing down and I'm trusting the work that I do. I have to play against good players every day, so I have to bring out my best."
On his transition from a center to a forward
"It was a big change, but when you have shooters like Corey, Wes, Armoni, and Rob it gets easier."
On if he's had a reality check on how far he's come
"I have, but my teammates and coaches keep me level- headed and push me to be great."
