Ohio State (5-3, 0-0 Big Ten) 47, Coppin State (3-7; 0-0 MEAC) 39
Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Dec. 10, 2007
Attendance: 15,496
Postgame Quotes:
Thad Matta, Ohio State Head Coach
On the game
“We’re happy with the win, but I thought we would play better with the way we’ve been practicing. Coppin State was able to limit our possessions, which took us out of the flow of our game. After the first two minutes, we were never able to put together a run.”
On Ohio State’s rebounding troubles
“I need to give credit to our defense, but we struggled to rebound the ball. When you defend well for 35 seconds, you need to find a way to get the rebound.”
On the team’s energy
“Our intensity was not as high as it needed to be. We had spurts of it here and there, but we were inconsistent. It is important for us to create as many scoring opportunities as we can.”
Jamar Butler, senior guard
On Coppin State keeping the score close to the end
“It was all about their style of play. They play a very different style. They never quit fighting and played until the end, until the buzzer sounded. Hats off to them.”
On whether or not Coppin State’s style of play was a surprise
“We saw it on the tape. We knew it was a different style and we knew we would have to come out and be ready for that.”
On handling Coppin State’s style of play
“We just have to step up and make plays. We did that. You just have to get the win.”
On Ohio State’s defense
“We came out and played well. We held them to 39 points. You have to be happy when you can hold a team like that to 39 points.”
Evan Turner, freshman guard
On his first start as a Buckeye
“As far as starting is concerned, I was nervous but I knew we just had to go out and get the win because it was something we haven’t done in a few weeks.”
On his nerves settling in the second half
“I started to settle down; that and it was time to win. It was crunch time. We just had to come together and get the win.”
P.J. Hill, sophomore guard
On Coppin State keeping the score so close
“I was a little surprised. Their team made big plays and big shots. I was surprised but they played tough.”
On his playing time
“When my team needs me I step in. It may be zero minutes one night like against North Carolina, or it might be 18 or 20 minutes like tonight. When my number is called I step in and do what my team needs me to do.”
Ron Mitchell, Coppin State head coach
On how he approached the game
“It was a simple matter of knowing what our chances were coming in. We had to be patient and we had to take care of the ball. We didn’t do either of those particularly well, and couldn’t pull out a win.”
On outrebounding the Buckeyes
“I can’t believe it. We haven’t rebounded well all year, and to break out like we did tonight was unbelievable. The thing is that we have to fight and battle, and we did that tonight. You have to respect Ohio State and I think we did that.”
On the youth of Ohio State
“Talent is still talent and I saw All-Americans out there. You look at how this team operates with the inside-outside game and you just are amazed. I think we put them into a tempo that they weren’t used too. It’s adjustment that they’ll make but they still need time.”
