Mike Adras Quotations

We knew they were not going to quit. We're all playing for our lives at this point, so we knew they weren't going to go away.

We really executed well in that ballgame and hopefully we'll be able to do that again this time.

Obviously, that would have energized our guys. It's a play that I know energizes Ruben, and it did just the opposite to him. That was a big momentum-changer in the first half.

He's a very physical off guard that can score outside, inside, wherever he wants to.

Hopefully we can do something like we did the last time where we tried to minimize the success the other players have, and not just focus on one guy.

I think it's huge for us at this point in the season. We're used to practicing at 7,000 feet and playing multiple days in a row at that altitude. The other teams have played here but it's only for one day. It can take a toll on you playing multiple days in a row.

I thought going into this season, Freeman was the best returning point guard in the conference. And he's done nothing to dispel that.

Our offense wasn't very good tonight. It's a credit to (Montana) for playing wonderful defense.

I've seen him do it a number of times.

Right now, the guys are so hurt. I don't want to shortchange the NIT because we're going to be a part of it. It's not the tournament we wanted to be in. But you know what? It's still an accomplishment for us to get our team into the postseason.

You want the opportunity to play on ESPN. Unfortunately this is the way we get this opportunity.

They played a good game. We did not, and they were the tougher team here tonight. We got out of the gate pretty well but hit a tough stretch. We just did not play well.

They get a lot more shots because of their defense.

They play so many guys. Twelve, 13 every ball game. They just keep coming at you. It doesn't stop.

They're getting steals, creating turnovers. They get teams sped up, playing out of their rhythm, and right into their hands.

They're (Montana) no doubt the class of the league. For us, it's a home game. In any league race, you have to do well at home and sneak what you can on the road.

It's not the tournament we wanted. But it's still an accomplishment.

It's always been a home-court advantage for us to play at 7,000 feet. You throw in 4,000 - or maybe 5,000 - fans, now you have a double-edged sword working for us.

They were physically tougher than us. Their physical conditioning really showed.

They've won three of their last five and played both Montana and Montana State well on the road, just came up short.

Their opponents are shooting a lot more free throws, and I hope that continues (today).

I'm talking about a voice in the locker room when coaches aren't present, a voice at their apartments where they live, that type of thing. He tells them not to get excited or too low. Keep plugging away and things will happen. He has a confidence in others to help them improve their game.

I don't think they understood that until Kelly spoke and said that to everybody. We've approached (every game) like that since then.