Nov. 23, 2011

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POSTGAME QUOTES

Thad Matta, Ohio State head coach
On the game
“I think the biggest difference tonight was the start of the second half. We did a good job holding those guys in the first 10 minutes. We had a good flow early but lost the momentum a little bit. When you play a team like VMI, you’re going to get pressure for 40 minutes. Our guys did a decent job down the stretch finishing plays to win the game.”

On the fast-paced nature of the VMI offense
“That’s one of the things we talked about going into the game. It’s easy to fall in the trap in a game like this. A team gets out there and all of a sudden the guys are hoopin’. We did a good job not doing that and staying with the game plan.”

On William Buford’s shot selection
“We got with Will [Buford] and looked at some shots. He was very aware of what he was doing. We have seen some great drive in his legs. We just want him to put more drive in his shots. Seeing him put the ball in the basket tonight was good.”

William Buford, senior guard
On tonight’s game and his personal performance
“They are a really good team. At times we couldn’t really stop them, but we just have to keep pushing our offense. I’m just trying to find my way and take good shots.”

On Coach Matta being three wins from 300
“He’s a great coach. I wouldn’t want to play for any other coach in the world. He’s just a great coach to be around as are all the assistants he has around him.”

Jared Sullinger, sophomore forward
On playing three games in five days
“For college players this is a dream week. Three games in five days means less practice. As I’ve said before, this is a midterm for March. You have to be quick with scouting and knowing their offense as well as our own.”

On playing stronger in the post
“I have to make it easier on the passers. I have to post up harder so these freshmen and some of the sophomores that didn’t play as much last year have confidence to throw it down there in the post.”

Aaron Craft, sophomore guard
On getting better shots
“Throughout this week we have concentrated on getting good shots. One of the best ways to do that is to get the ball into (Jared) Sullinger and (Deshaun) Thomas. That just opens it up for the rest of us if we are able to work the inside and outside game.”

On starting the second half strong
“We knew the beginning of the second half should be a big point of emphasis. They had momentum closing the lead, but we just had to lock down on our defense.”

Duggar Baucom, VMI head coach
On Ohio State
“They are as advertised – very good. (Jared) Sullinger is a load inside and they have some tremendous guard play.”

On applying pressure
“We couldn’t apply our typical pressure with a guy like (Aaron) Craft out there – he’s a smart, heady guy and he hardly ever turns the ball over. Thad [Matta] had them well prepared for the press, and it showed.”

On the difference between the first and second half
“Too many turnovers on our part and better pressure on theirs.  We gave up a lot of easy opportunities in transition.”

On what his team will take from the game
“It’s a great experience for our guys playing in this type of arena, because we don’t play in front of 13,000 people too often.  I really like playing Thad’s teams – he’s a good guy who does it the right way.”