Oklahoma Game Quotes

Nov. 2, 2007

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HEAD COACH JEFF CAPEL

Opening comment:

"I'm glad that our exhibition games are over. I thought we did some very good things today. It was good for us to play against the zone. We played against the zone the majority of the game. Our execution wasn't sharp early in the game, but I thought as the game went on, especially in the second half, we really moved the ball and started seeing the open spots. So I'm very pleased with that.

"I like the energy of our team. I thought tonight it was a lot better than it was Wednesday. We still have a lot of work to do. We were very excited that the exhibition season is over, and even more excited to have practices to prepare for San Francisco."

On freshman guard Cade Davis:

"I thought Cade Davis was tremendous, not just because he made shots but just with the energy and effort he played with. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he's going to be a very good player for us before his career is over."

On areas where Davis needs to improve:

"He needs to progress on ball handling and decision making, mainly those two areas. Cade is a kid that works hard and plays well for us. He stepped over to take the charge a couple times. He is really trying to figure things out like a freshman has to do. I think he can be a really good defender at times, but there are times when he can be a little bit over-aggressive when he is trying for a steal, which compromises our defense a little bit. But those are times when I would rather him be aggressive than passive. Experience will help him improve in ball handling and decision making. I thought he took all good shots tonight, which is why he shot a high percentage."

On the team's rebounding abilities:

"We should be a very good rebounding team, I have said that from the beginning of the season. I think Blake (Griffin) has the potential to be a great rebounder. Longar (Longar) at times was a very good rebounder last year. I think our wings are also very capable with (Tony) Crocker, (David) Godbold, Moose (Keith Clark) and then Taylor (Griffin). Hopefully offensive rebounding will be something we continue to get better at."

FRESHMAN CADE DAVIS

On getting in the rhythm of the game:

"It felt pretty good to finally get my shot going and getting my stroke back. But I credit my teammates for getting me open and swinging the ball to me."

On his shot:

"I was struggling when we first started practicing. But I have been getting a lot of shots in on my own and after practice. Getting up shots has me feeling natural again when I shoot the ball."

JUNIOR OMAR LEARY

On making his first Lloyd Noble Center start as a Sooner:

"It felt great. It is a position I wanted to be in, but I have to continue to work hard and go from there."

On running the point:

"We have a lot of inside players that can play. Whenever you are a point guard on a team with a lot of offensive weapons, it makes your job easier. It cuts down on the turnovers and helps being able to run the team. Nine times out of 10 you will come out with a victory. So it makes the job for the point guard a lot easier when you have weapons like that out on the floor with you."

HEAD COACH SAM HANGER

Opening comment:

"First of all, I want to say it is an honor to be here. This is a great opportunity for our kids to see another part of the country. This is a chance for them to come together and bond a little bit before the season begins. We don't travel like this. I don't see how everyone travels twice a week around the country because it's tough. We are very grateful to Coach Capel for inviting us and Oklahoma has been most hospitable."

On their gameplan coming in:

"Offensively, I knew we would struggle because we have a lot of new guys. Our guards are better and I thought they played well, although (Andy) Gebru had a tough game. He said to me that Oklahoma was screaming out what plays we were in. I thought that gave them a sense of what Division I basketball is all about. They scout everything you do and I thought Oklahoma was very prepared because they knew what we were going to do.

"I don't get into the mystique of expecting to beat a team like Oklahoma. Come on, let's be realistic. We tried to get our kids to play as hard as they could play and you hope to get some execution out of them. In reality, you just have to find out what you have. I thought a couple of our guys played very tentatively."

On Oklahoma freshman forward Blake Griffin:

"Blake Griffin is going to be a very special player. Is he just a freshman? Right now, he has my vote for rookie of the year in the Big 12. I think he is going to be very special. He played like we try to get our players to play. I used him as a reference in several points I made in the locker room after the game.

"I liked how Griffin got the ball with two hands and gathered himself and said, `I'm going, who is coming with me.' That is how you have to play and why he is a McDonald's All-American and playing Division I basketball. I think Oklahoma has a very fine team, they shot the lights out. From what I could tell, they didn't miss many. They moved the ball around and shot the ball well. I really think (Blake) Griffin is going to carry them over the top."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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