Postgame Quotes

Nov. 12, 2001

Oklahoma vs. Central Connecticut State
Lloyd Noble Center - Norman, Okla.

OU HEAD COACH KELVIN SAMPSON
On the game:
"This was a good way to start the season. We didn't play well, but we responded to adversity and that was good to see. Our defensive pressure was good but we need to get some more chemistry offensively. We need to settle into our roles, but that's going to happen when you have two new guards."

On OU's defense:
"We held (Corsley) Edwards to 6-for-13 shooting tonight, and he's the Preseason Player of the Year in their league. There aren't many kids who score over a double team like he can. We made them put the ball on the floor and make plays. That's not an easy thing to do against a team as quick as ours."

On Oklahoma guard Blake Johnston:
"I liked Blake out there tonight. He gave us a spark and sped us up. This team is a lot better when we're playing faster."

OU JUNIOR JASON DETRICK
On his spectacular dunk in the second half:
"I was shooting a lot from outside early in the game, so Coach Sampson told me to try and penetrate. He told me to get to the basket. I saw a hole on that play and just took it the rim like I knew I could. It was good to get this first game under our belts. Now we have a great opportunity to go to Michigan State and play the national champions from two years ago."

On his first game at Oklahoma:
"This was my first taste of Division I basketball and it's a different level from where I've played. It's faster and the players are stronger. But this was a good way to get my feet wet. We are a very versatile team and you never know who is going to step up to lead us."

OU JUNIOR EBI ERE
On the game:
"It was good to get a win even though I didn't play all that well. I can play better, but I'm excited about going to Michigan State now. Hopefully I can get my game really going up there."

On OU's defensive intensity tonight:
"We came out with a lot of defensive pressure in the second half. Coach Sampson was getting on us about that. They went on a little run early in the second half, but from then on, we wanted to shut them down. We did a good job of that."

On teammates Jason Detrick and Hollis Price:
"Jason Detrick is a great player. He's very athletic and I expect to see a lot of good things from him. Hollis played really well and he hit a lot of big shots. He really carried us there in the second half."

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE HEAD COACH HOWIE DICKENMAN
On Oklahoma:
"A friend of mine who scouts for the NBA and has seen numerous college games says Oklahoma stands out in his mind because of how hard they play. I'll back him up after tonight's performance. They live up to their reputation as a hard-working team that plays tremendous defense."

On OU's Hollis Price:
"Hollis (Price) made a key basket for Oklahoma at what I thought was a critical point in the ball game. After we were trailing by two (40-38 in the second half), I pleaded with my players to watch for him. We didn't and he made us pay. He is an outstanding player and made the plays when he had to."

On how his team played:
"We proved after this game that we don't take a back seat. I thought we were competitive until about seven minutes left in the second half. It looked like Oklahoma wore us down with their depth. I give all the credit to them. They're disciplined, organized and you can tell they're going to get better."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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