The University of Akron Athletics
Keith Dambrot MAC Media Teleconference Quotes
March 07 | Men's Basketball
Below is the transcript of head coach Keith Dambrot's discussion with the media on Monday's Mid-American Conference men's basketball teleconference.
Opening Statement:
"Eastern Michigan has played very well against us they have won two
out of the last three times we have played and they should have won
the game against us last year in Cleveland. They know they can play
with us and we know they can beat us so we have to play well and do
a good job defensively on Brandon Bowdry."
On the Pressure Placed on Teams in the
Tournament:
"Our players have handled adversity all year long and we keep
coming back so I don't think we have any pressure ... it's just a
matter of playing four good. There is more pressure on the coaches,
because they know they have to win the conference tournament to get
in the NCAA Tournament. The year we had Romeo Travis, Jeremiah
Wood, and our other guys, we were supposedly the best team in the
league. That always adds to the pressure. Kent State is going to
have a little bit more pressure than most but I think their guys
can handle it. They have been in a lot of big games this year and
there has been a lot of parody this season so I feel anyone can win
this tournament."
On Defending Brandon Bowdry:
"If you can't play good one on one defense at some point, Brandon,
along with the rest of the team, is going to hurt you. The last
time they beat us, we only shot 30 percent so it was more of an
offensive problem than a defensive problem. The last time in the
MAC Tournament, we couldn't guard any of them they had a bunch of
point guards and we were fortunate enough to win that game. We are
going to keep it basic its not a complicated game we just have to
play better than we have the last 3 times against them."
On Finding Consistency Entering the
Tournament:
"When we play good defense we win games, and when we don't we don't
and the last two games we have not played as good defensively as we
did in our previous seven games and we know that's an area where we
have to be better by rebounding the ball and playing better
defense."
On the Challenge of Playing Four Games in Five
Days:
"We have done it before when we won the tournament two years ago,
so we feel we are built pretty well for it. We have taken fewer
days off after games this season and have done more after games
than any time in the past. There's going to be challenges we feel.
We have nine players that can play right now, maybe ten, so we
feel, pending any injuries; we are built for this run. It's not
easy, but I think if you get to the championship game it's all
adrenaline anyway."
