Quotes from head Coach Steve Pikiell:
On Lehigh:
“Credit to Lehigh, they’ve been to numerous times NCAA Tournaments, so I knew it would be a tough game. I love the fact that we grinded the game out. We missed shots, we had layups that could of finished the game off. We kind of figured out a way. I liked that a lot of people contributed. Ron got a double-double, Cliff got nine rebounds. I like this group a ton. We found out before the game Mawot Mag couldn't play, dealing with surgery in his mouth. A lot of obstacles we hit today, getting through it was a good thing. And I love the fact that we grind it and grind it.
On the offense: “I'll watch the tapes, but I do think we got some really good looks. Including Andre dunk at the end there, that was a good look. I thought we had guys that were open. I thought Geo got some good three looks, Paul in the lane. I thought we had some good looks and we're going to have to make those. I liked that we still figured it out, figured out a way to win a basketball game early in the season.”
On the turnovers: “11 turnovers, I'm not really worried about that. It's not a bad number at all. I thought we were a little off our game. We were a little antsy to steal the basketball. That's not how we play defense. I thought we settled down in the second half and did a much better job of keeping the ball in front of us and I think we will be more connected and you get steals because we're in our right places. Liked how we settled down but again, you know, that's a team that returns their six leading returning scores, so got to give them a little credit. That's a veteran basketball team who's going to do a good job. That’s a game that’s going to mean something at the end of the year.”
On the game: “We didn't finish up plays the way we need to, but yeah, they're a veteran team. They spread us out, , they drove it on us. They did a good job on the battles. They got some good size. I think early in the year if you see teams play, teams that have experience and teams early in the season, can do things that some younger teams can't. I thought that they did a really good job with that. And you're also preparing for game you have no video except from last year. So, it's really a challenge early in the year. I'm a prep guy, and when you can't see them play all, you're guessing what they did last year was what they're going to kind of do and they changed up some stuff so tip of the cap to them. But I really like this team. I’m excited that we’re 1-0. That was our goal before the game. We grinded, and we’ll watch film and do what we do.”
On the crowd: “The energy that the crowd brings is great. Keep in mind, we were 18-1 the last time we had fans at this court. So to have fans back means a ton. I know the energy before the game was great. Maybe we were a little caught up in some of that stuff and we'll settle in. But it certainly helped us in all phases today.”
On Clifford Omoruyi: “We’re in good hands at the five spot. I love this guy. He's as good of worker as we've ever had in the program. He's getting better and better every day. One point away from a double-double. Really, really excited about, you know, his development and how he's a great teammate.”
