Jan. 12, 2005

Recap |  Box Score |  Notes

UNC HEAD COACH Roy Williams

Opening remarks:
"We know it's better to play Georgia Tech without BJ Elder. We can remember what BJ did against us last year, particularly down in Atlanta. Today wasn't the prettiest game but I was pleased with our guys because in the past, in those ugly, competitive, hand-to-hand combat games, perhaps we wouldn't have persevered, but we did tonight. I thought we did a great job on the backboards. In the first half, we had 15 more possessions than they did and only had 5 points from offensive rebounds because we never could put the ball in. We kept getting offensive rebounds but couldn't finish the play. So we talked in the second half about taking another second - if you had to jump in the air and move the ball around 16 times before you shoot it, that means it's too crowded and we need to get the ball out and let them play defense a bit more. I like that we had five guys in double figures. I like that after Rashad got into foul trouble, he came back in and had a big block - he had four blocks for the game. I don't think Jackie will go 1-8 very often, Raymond 3-11, or Sean 3-11, but you have to give credit to Georgia Tech's defense. I think they're one of the better defensive teams that we have played. They made it very difficult for us. I love winning games like this. Everybody loves when it's running up and down, guys dunking and high-fiving, but I like to win some of those games when it's ugly. You have to congratulate Tech on being able to make the game this way. Jack is a big time player - he's very difficult to keep out of the lane and when he gets in the lane, he's able to find people, but again, I like what our kids did."

On the starting 5 being only 10-32 in the first half
"We need to shoot much better. It was the backboards. We had 15 more possessions - it's like them giving us the ball 15 straight times and seeing how many points we can get. Then we start alternating some and it's a huge advantage, but we couldn't finish the play. Tech's strength, defensive ability, and athleticism are part of that. I was hoping we'd do a better job of finishing the play in the second half. In the second half, we started fouling too much and not stopping dribble penetration. If we could have kept them off the free-thrown line in the first half, I would have been ecstatic about our defense because we were able to force turnovers. We're getting better but we're not nearly as good defensively as they are. We're getting better and the kids are starting to buy into it also."

On building 18-point lead in first half
"We were getting shots and there's no question that this is important. We weren't running the ball very well at times but Raymond made a few 3-pointers, Noel made a 3, Scott made a 3, and the 3 right before the half were all very important to us. At the end of the half, I had Sean and Rashad with two fouls. I held them out the last few minutes of the half because I felt that with the tempo of the game, there were going to be a lot of possessions and more opportunities for them to foul. I just wanted to get half-time with those guys just having two fouls."

On team's unselfishness
"A perfect game for me would be every basket being directly related to an assist. I got very upset in the first half of the Maryland game because I thought there was too much selfishness. After I got on to them for that, we played very well. There were two plays today where we should have just passed the ball. If your teammate is open, just pass him the ball. I also thought we did some nice things in our half-court. We moved it around, got inside and got fouled ourselves. First half, they made more free throws than we shot but in the second half, we were 19-23, which is good."

On the excitement of upcoming game against Wake
"I want to enjoy this game. Georgia Tech is a big time team. I feel good about this. But our next game is a huge one for us."

GEORGIA TECH HEAD COACH PAUL HEWITT

Opening Statement:
"We got beat by a very good team tonight. Throughout the two days in preparation for this game, we talked a lot about not giving up lay-ups in transition, especially because of what happened last year and not giving up second shots. Those were the top two things on the scouting report. They just beat us to a lot of balls on the offensive boards. They had 17 offensive rebounds in the first half and they just put us into too big of a hole. I love the way our guys battled back. We actually pressured them; I didn't think we were able of pressuring because of [Raymond] Felton. We were able to force some turnovers late in the game, but it was certainly too late."

On the challenges of Carolina's depth:
"They've got good players and they are tough to beat in this building when they have good players. Honestly, I didn't sense the depth at all wearing us down, I just thought they did a great job on the offensive boards."

On how Carolina's defense differs from last year:
"Well they are forcing more turnovers, that's the big thing. It didn't plague us throughout the game, but early they forced a lot of those turnovers in the middle of the floor that they capitalize on probably better than anybody in the country. When they get those steals in the middle of the floor, they are just really good."

On how the absence of [B.J.] Elder affected the Yellow Jackets' game plan:
"Not much honestly. It did not affect our game plan much at all."

On if the Tar Heels were better in person:
" They're an outstanding team, maybe the best team in the country. But it's one of those things and this is not a slap at them at all, but we had some guys who didn't play as well as they are capable tonight and they'll tell you that. Now, Carolina had something to do with that. Like I said, they could be the best team in the country. Them, Illinois, and Wake Forest, from what I've seen on tape, in my opinion, might be the three best teams. It's one of those things, but you've seen Jarrett [Jack] play better than he did tonight. Don't be deceived by the 24 points. We have some guys that can play better. Now, Carolina probably had something to do with them playing bad."

UNC PLAYERS

David Noel

On this being North Carolina's first real test:
"I think we did pretty good in our first real test. All the teams we've played have been top contenders. So, the people that say that this is our first real test are underestimating us. But, that's pretty good because that way we don't have a target on our chest. People will kind of look over us."

On the hostile environment the team will face at Wake Forest:
"I don't think it will change the way we play. We just have to look at it like when they're cheering they're cheering for us. When they're booing, we act like they're booing against Wake Forest. That's kinda the way you look at it. You play mind games with it. Otherwise you just go out and play the best game you can play."

On the upcoming game against Wake Forest:
"You've got a like Wake Forest and a team like North Carolina going head-to-head on a Saturday morning. What can get better than that?"

Rashad McCants

On his big block:
"I think it was just an instinctive play. I really don't like to let guys swarm me like that, especially going to the goal. I think it's kinda fun just to go up there and see if you get dunked on or see if you don't. I'm fearless when it comes to that."

On the excitement for the game against Wake Forest:
"It's just the next game. The most important game is always the next game. It doesn't get me any more hype. But at the same time, we got to be really prepared for them because they're really good."

Melvin Scott

On the half court offense:
"We took a step forward tonight. Guys' were sayin, 'if you can stop those guys you got 'em.' Our halve court offense was pretty good and I was impressed by that. I was even a little skeptical about that, whether we can play half court, because we were just running and blowing guys out. But, I think we really took a big step tonight."

How long do you enjoy this win?
"Once practice starts tomorrow it's over. We can enjoy it tonight. But, once practice starts its over because in the ACC it's time to play. Saturday we got Wake Forest and it doesn't get any easier."

Sean May

On the role experience has played this year:
"I think another year under coach, knowing the system that he wants, the style of play that he wants. Last year was difficult for us to continue to run for forty minutes. But, as you can see this year with our added depth of Marvin, Q, Reyshawn, and David coming off the bench. It helps us so much more."

On the rebounding performance:
"A double-double against a really good team tonight. I didn't shoot the ball well tonight. But, I knew the glass was where they were going to be vulnerable. Schenscher was going to have to play a lot of minutes and we knew that was going to be a big key for us to just be able to attack the glass."

Raymond Felton

On Georgia Tech's missing players:
"It helped us a lot. They missed B.J. Elder, they missed Dickey, another big guy who comes off the bench. They were missing one of their leading scorers and that hurt them a lot. They're going through a lot with some injuries on their team. They're a great team. I'm not saying we beat them just because of that reason. I think we had a great game. But, at the same time they're a great team missing a great player."

On Chris Paul:
"Chris is great player. He handles the ball. He can see the court. He can do everything. He can penetrate. He can score. He can pass the ball and you've got to watch him on defense too. He's got quick hands. He's a great all-around player."