Postgame Quotes: #24 Michigan 86, Wayne State 43
11/10/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2014
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Michigan Head Coach John Beilein
On tonight's performance ... "When I went into the locker room (at half time), the two things made me feel good: that they only had 24 and that we had 40 (points). You do not get many easy shots against this team. This was a smaller team, but they stayed in front of us and played the ball screen a little bit differently, in a way we hadn't seen this year, so we had to get used to that. At the same time, by putting that many points on a (Wayne State Head Coach) David Greer team, we did some really good things today."
On his assessment of the team's defensive performance ... "I was really pleased with that. They had a bunch of stuff ready for us (schematically), and I loved how we really protected the basket. We didn't give them any easy hoops; they had a couple in transition but they had to earn every basket they got. We had some mixups on switches, but it's so early. I thought we played together defensively and that was the good part of it."
On the team doing the little things right, like taking charges ... "We've gone to that style of playing, where we are going to hedge ball screens most of the time. To do that, you've got to be in a stance, you have to be quick; the rules have changed a little bit. It's still going to be tight on the perimeter but you can take charges. One charge we took was on the ball but the (two) others were off the ball. That's a huge thing. For the first time since I have been coaching, I think we may have 15 guys that will stand in and take a charge. Who took our charges today? Caris LeVert, Mark Donnal and Spike Albrecht. Those are veterans. Mohammad has taken some in practice, Aubrey has taken some in practice, D.J. has taken some in practice. I have no doubt that down the road we will do that."
On Austin Hatch's participation and free throw in tonight's game ... "All of our coaching staff was part of offering Austin a scholarship way back. You can see how this team loves him, too, and Bacari (Alexander) made the best call of the night by reminding me to get a sub at the bench so we could get Austin out there and get him a round of applause. We don't know how often we're going to get him in a game this year, but any time we can get him in during a situation like that, we're going to get him in. He did a great job, he was in his stance and had two looks at a jump shot he turned down for the team and then he got fouled so to see the smile on his face; that's why we really coach. That was a great thing we were able to do today."
U-M Freshman Guard Austin Hatch
On getting called into the game ... "Coach B told me with about five minutes left in the game, 'Austin, stay loose, and we are going to get you in there,' so I did my best to stay loose and when he called my number I was ready. Fortunately, I went in there and had an opportunity to make a foul shot. It was pretty special."
On what Coach Beilein said after the shot ... "He congratulated me and said it was a great start. It was really special to see me do that and see me get out there after all that I have been through and score for him. I said, 'Coach, we still have a lot of work to do.' I have four more years here, so there will be a lot more things like tonight that will happen in the next four years."
On looking past his unique situation ... "I don't want to be known by the time my career comes to an end here as just 'a cool story.' Obviously what happened to me is kind of unique, but that is what happened, that is not who I am. That is a big part of my life, but I am about moving forward and making the most of my experience here."
U-M Junior Guard Caris LeVert
On his impressions of the freshman class ... "They came out there with a lot of energy. Obviously, they were probably a little nervous at first, really anxious to get out there. I think they contributed in different ways."
On the difference in his game from last year to this year ... "I think my leadership was better today; that was something that I've been really focusing on in the offseason. Just trying to find ways to make everyone else better. I think that was one of the main things (I've been working on)."
On what he plans on focusing specifically for the season ... "Our defense was definitely one thing that we've been working on. With us being such a young team, a growing team, we've worked on the defense and the sense of urgency out there. A lot of guys don't know what it's like to be playing college basketball. Just for them to go out and get their feet wet was great tonight."
U-M Sophomore Guard Zak Irvin
On the shakiness of the first half ... "I think it was just first-game jitters from everyone. We were just excited to get out there on the court and play against someone. I thought we played well, but there are still areas of improvement to work on."
On the team's defensive performance ... "Yeah coach has really been harping on that (defense), and that is something we have been harping on too. We really want to be a good team defensively, because like I said, our defense can turn into offense, and we are pretty good in transition."
