University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI vs. Illinois State Quotes
1/28/2009 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2009
On coming off the bench in senior season:
“I'm pretty unique. I'm down with whatever helps the team. I didn't really care that I wasn't starting. I just went with what coach thought was best. Whatever is good for this team, I'll help. If that means coming off the bench, I'm okay with it.”
On eight game winning streak:
“We really got a fire under us after we kinda got spanked by Indiana State in the first half of that game and lost. We've been working together really well in the last games.”
“This streak means a lot, but honestly its all on how we finish. We haven't won anything yet. We won't be satisfied until we win the MVC title.”
Ali Farokhmanesh
On change in team from start of season to now:
“We're confident. We weren't at the beginning of the season or at the start of MVC play. We're playing with more confidence and that's helping us play better.”
On the crowd:
“It was loud tonight. There were times when my ears hurt. We don't notice the number of people in the stands, but how loud those people get.”
On holding Oguchi and Eldridge to 15 points:
“They are a really hard team to defend. The run a lot of ball screens. The key to shutting their two top players down was communication between our players. There are a lot of ways to defend them, and they are still going to make good plays, but tonight the communication between our players was very good down the stretch.”
On Travis Brown:
“He's a terrific player for us. He practices hard and does a great job with senior leadership. He's played more lately but he hasn't changed his approach from when he wasn't playing as much. He's a team player and his attitude has been very good for our team.”
Illinois State Head Coach Tim Jankovich
On UNI's recent success:
“It still may be a secret on how good this UNI team really is. But anyday now, probably after tonight people will start to notice who is out front in the Valley. What UNI has done is incredible. Nine wins in a row in the Valley is a significant accomplishment.”
“What their secret may be is so many people that can score on any night. Anybody can shoot the ball for them, which sustains them over time. They have a lot of firepower and it will sustain them down the road. They've just turned into a great shooting team after Christmas.”
On Illinois State's play down the stretch:
“We missed some baskets and they made some baskets. Mistakes get magnified when time gets short. UNI just made plays and we didn't.”
