Quotes by Rick Scruggs

“Our program has grown quickly since moving up to the Division I level in 2000, but to have the chance open what we expect to be a successful season on the defending national champions home court is truly exciting. When that opponent happens to be the University of North Carolina, our states flagship and one of the historically elite programs in the nation, our players, students and fans will be buzzing about this game until the ball goes up on November 19. It doesnt get any bigger for our program, or university, than this.”

“Our goal this season is to take that next step and win the A-Suns automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. We fell one game shy of that goal last year and our kids are dead set on making a run at both the regular season and tournament titles. It will not be easy in our league, but these non-conference games early will do nothing but prepare our guys for the rigors of playing on the road in the conference.”

“We tried to schedule some home games out of conference this season, but no schools were willing to come in here to play with the team we have coming back. Porter Arena is a tough place to play. Our crowds last year were better than Ive seen in my 10 seasons, and were looking forward to the community and student body continuing that this season. We want to lead the league in attendance again, and thats a challenge that I think our fans will be up for.”

“Well theyre frustrated and I can understand that. Were frustrated. People are asking me around town What are you going to do? Well, if I knew that, Id be writing books and journals, I wouldnt be coaching. If I knew how to snap people out of these doldrums, Id be making a lot more money. Were doing all we can do right now.”

“They made us change. That made it sort of funny, but I thought we came out with some good intensity tonight. Our guys did a good job of holding on and getting the win.”

“Well, the first question you all are going to ask me is, how did we beat Minnesota and play Carolina so close? Its a tale of two teams. Ohio State just took it to us tonight and we didnt have an answer for them. A lot of it had to do with Ohio State .”

“Taking the two of them out at the same time would hurt any team.”

“Our team showed great composure tonight. They could have given up after we missed some foul shots that could have tied the game, but they didnt.”

“I dont ever remember having a team that came from 20 points down and win. Of course, I dont remember being down 20 points at halftime many times either.”

“That was really the game. We were four up and hadnt gotten anything the last two possessions. Those rebounds were huge.”