University of North Carolina Athletics
Postgame Quotes
January 12, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2002
Head Coach Matt Doherty
"It is hard because I thought that our kids really dug deep and gave a great effort and were in position to beat a good basketball team. We just missed some shots during a key stretch in the second half. We had some critical turnovers in the second half and some mental mistakes at the end -- fouling Mason and throwing the ball away."
"I am really proud of the guys' effort because they could have just folded their tents after the last two games, but they did not. They really gave good effort, drawing charges, getting loose balls, getting tough rebounds. We were in position to win a basketball game against one of the better teams in the country."
"I am proud of our guys and I really want to thank our crowd because a lot has been said about our fans. But, I'll tell you what, we had 20,000 very supportive fans out there that really gave our team a lift, and I appreciate that greatly."
"We didn't want to foul Mason, that was clear. I hate to talk about inexperience, but there were some plays of inexperience down the stretch. I am trying to be delicate in saying that, but it is a mistake, we were not trying to foul Mason."
"Part of the problem the last few weeks is that we have to be held accountable for our mistakes and that was certainly a mental error."
Junior forward Will Johnson on the end of the game...
"It was some decision-making down the stretch that hurt us -- rushing shots, missing passes. I thought we did a better job on the boards than we have. To win an ACC game, you have to be smart down the stretch, and that's the main thing we have to learn from this game."
Johnson on what the team need to do...
"I think today was a step. I think we played better. We had a good practice yesterday, and I think this team is starting to realize what it takes, night in and night out, to compete in this league. We are going to start winning games. We have another chance to do that on Wednesday when we go down to Florida State. They beat Duke at home. They are going to be tough, but every game is tough. I think that's the most important thing for our guys to realize, that we have to bring it every night."
Freshman forward Jawad Williams on confidence...
"Our confidence is still the same. It's still high. We still have confidence that this team can win and will win. It's all a matter of time."
Williams on preparing after the loss to Maryland...
"I think as team we had to come back hard. Even if we don't win, we have to go out and fight. We have to make teams respect us. If they don't respect us, they will after we get done playing them."
