Quotes from Men's Basketball Press Luncheon

[Brad]

From USF SID Office

Selected Quotes from Men's Basketball Press Luncheon

Jan. 31, 2005

Head Coach Robert McCullum

(On Southern Miss)

“If you look at the records of our next three opponents on paper, each match will look like our chances of winning would be more realistic. Once you get to conference play anything can happen. Our best efforts to date in conference play have been against UAB, at Marquette and against Memphis here. On paper this is a good match-up. Southern Miss has played very good defense. They won’t beat themselves. One thing they do well is shoot free throws. They shoot 80 percent, one of the best free throw shooting teams in the conference.”

(On the chance to finish last in the conference)

“I didn’t think we would finish last, when I first said that of course I didn’t know that Bradley Mosley wouldn’t be playing either. Although without him I still don’t think we will finish last. Also, when you get to conference play, at least half the game will be decided by six points or less and we have already had four. We need to get to a point where we need to win those close games. Our motivation is to make the conference tournament.”

(On the confidence of the team already having felt victory against Southern Miss last season)

“They have different players; some of their key guys weren’t on the team last year, mainly their backcourt – (Rashaad) Carruth and (Michael) Ford. For example, in their win against Tulane, they scored over half their points. They are two very good backcourt players. To them, that’s not going to mean very much. They also have a different coaching staff with a different philosophy.”

(On Terrence Leather starting Wednesday’s contest)

“I haven’t decided yet. He will practice today and tomorrow and we’ll take it from there. As far as him traveling with the team, he has served his punishment and we’re going to put it behind him and move on.”