Mike Gansey Quotations

The referee made the right call. Texas made a great defensive play. At the end of the game, the referees don't want to determine it and kind of let us play. It was the right call not to make the call.

We might be the higher seed, but we still believe we are the underdog.

Last year when we were struggling in the Big East, it was because we didn't know how to win if our shots weren't falling. But we're not going to shoot 60 percent or some ridiculous number from 3-point range every night, so we needed to find other ways to win. Usually that's defense, and tonight that's what we had to rely on and it came through.

Obviously we're in first place and undefeated in the Big East, so hopefully we can beat a Pac-10 team. It's going to be real tough, but we're going to try and represent the Big East as best we can.

Maybe because we played yesterday we were tired. Teams like that you don't see very often will sometimes try different things. I think that's what they wanted to do.

If they out-rebound us by more than 20, I don't think we have a shot. That's how they beat teams, by rebounding over people.

He had the ball in front of me and I just got lucky and tipped it and stole it from him. I'm feeling pretty happy right now.

He's got to do what he's got to do. Obviously, if I was in the same situation, I'd do the same thing. He's having his first child, and that's what any other person would do. We're going to deal with it and try to win the game for him if that happens.

He's playing so well, and to have a baby on the way, I don't know if I could do it. But if there's anyone who can do it, it's him.

He didn't let me get off the screens. He hounded me everywhere I went.

Kevin is one of the best all-around players in the conference. He's obviously one of the best shooters and his inside play has improved this season. Kevin is a big part of our team.

I think that says a lot for our coaching staff and the players we have here.

Our 1-3-1 defense wasn't every effective because they're so tall, they just passed the ball over us. It doesn't matter if you're right on them. They just score right over top of you.

People might think we have expectations on us in this tournament because of last year, but we still feel we are underdogs. We're going into every game as if we are underdogs. We are playing a great team in Southern Illinois, they have shown that all year. They have been here a lot more times than we have and they have a lot of experience. I don't believe there is any more pressure on us than they have on them.

I was tired a little bit and my stomach started getting a little tight. I went to the bench and got some ice. I came back in and I felt great.

It hasn't been a fun time for me coming to Charleston. It's just one loss. I'd rather lose this game than lose to St. John's.

The 3 looked short, and I just went up and grabbed it,

That was such a big game for us and Marshall in our state. We had a couple of good practices and got back to the Big East.

We don't see them as a Cinderella team. We just view them as one of the top 32 teams in the country.

We could not get over the hump. They answered every time we got close. We played well, but we needed to play perfectly.

Yeah, of course. We like being there, playing against the best teams because (then) we have nothing to lose.

Yeah, it was nice to get out there and get a win against those guys. It seemed like every time we played them, they just had our number.

We definitely have to play very well to beat a great team like UCLA on their home floor. But I'm looking forward to the challenge and I know we're going to play well. It is really an honor to get a chance to play against a team that has so much tradition.

We're representing the Big East and the state of West Virginia.

We didn't expect to win by 20 and obviously we struggled down the stretch. St. John's is a tough team and we knew they would make a run.

We've got to bounce back and win a game at Syracuse. We knew a couple weeks ago we weren't going to be undefeated.

Without Frank last year, we wouldn't have advanced in the Big East tournament. He's become one of our best passers and he is one of the better all-around players we have as well. Without Frank, we wouldn't be here now.

We wanted to play more aggressive in the second half.

Both of my calves cramped up really bad. I went back in, but they cramped up again. But, we believe in our bench and they did a great job once again.

Every game, they're going to try to take Kevin and I out of the game.

I've practiced the last three days full-go, so I'll be 100 percent by tomorrow.

A lot of that credit goes to our coaches. But, just to be considered in the same breath with those teams is a great feeling.

A lot of teams that have won their conference tournaments have lost in the first two rounds. It was unfortunate to lose, but it got us hungry again.

They're just a great team, ... Rondo kept making plays for them.

They're going to come in here fired up and we've got to be able to match their intensity.

It was strange out there knowing it's your last time, but what better way to go out than with a win like this.

It was such a fluke thing for him the first time. For Kevin to go through a game and not to score is pretty hard to believe. Today he came into the game with a great mind set and he worked hard and he played a tremendous game.

It's the best experience I've ever had. I can't explain it.

You think Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and obviously UCLA -- those are four of the greatest traditions of basketball around the country. Just to get the opportunity to go on the court and play there is going to be fun.

St. John's is the sleeper team in the Big East. We knew we weren't going to come in here and win by 20. We saw what they did to Louisville and Pitt. They have three quick guards who made it difficult for us to get the ball inbounds at the end.

It will be good for us to get some rest, go to class and take some naps.

They came out with more intensity. This is kind of like their Super Bowl. It's just another game for us.

This is just a dream come true. It's an unbelievable feeling.

Anytime you're in a game like this, you're going to be a little nervous. Against a tremendous team like Texas, you worry about them.

I like playing on the road a lot. It's just us 12, you know? It's like us against the world.

I missed two free throws then shook it off and made four.

In the first game, Cincinnati was playing tougher than us, stronger than us and more physical than us until we got it turned around the second half.

I hit a couple in a row and I felt really good, once you hit a couple of shots everything else in your game feels better, ... As long as we play as hard as we can and as a team, we should win some games.

He told me to quit making my shots. I looked at him and said, 'Man, what about you?' He is possibly the best freshman in the league.

He's an underrated point guard, and I think he's one of the best in the country. He's always looking to create things, but he can score, too. He just seems to know where the other guys are going to be.

If I don't wear it, I don't feel like myself. That's the way I am. Some people might underestimate my jumping ability. I feel like I'm a pretty decent athlete. I try to do the little things that I can do to help the team win.