Postgame Quotes – UCLA at UNLV
POSTGAME QUOTES
UCLA 73, UNLV 51
November 27, 2021
Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men’s Head Basketball Coach
opening statement
“I told the guys it was good to have my team back. It’s been since last year where we’ve played that kind of defense. So, we had a couple spirited practices, talked a lot about what it takes to be a real team. Not relying on scoring and offense. Getting back to why we got to the Final Four. Getting back to why we were ranked. Just focus on whatever we got to do to win a tough road game. It starts with our defense. They’re a team that’s fast and athletic and we’re in their own gym. It took them a questionable whistle to get them to 51 in their own gym. Really happy with our effort and our attitude. I told them, ‘I don’t care about losing. I really don’t. It’s about how you play the game.’ I didn’t think we played the game and competed the way UCLA is supposed to play really this year, defensively, other than the last seven minutes of Villanova. So, it’s nice to have them back.”
on UCLA stopping UNLV’s runs in the first and second half
“When you’re on the road, teams play with pride at home. They don’t just fold the tent at home. They’re going to come after you. They’re going to foul you. They’re going to put pressure on the refs. Teams are going to be physical. They’re going to come at every angle. They aren’t just going to go back to their dorm rooms. Our guys did a good job. I told them at halftime, ‘We’ve got to take care of the ball better.’ We only had two turnovers in the second half. But they came out ready. Give them credit. They scored their first six or seven trips in the second half.”
on if this game is any different with it being a true road game
“Doesn’t matter. When you’re in another team’s gym. It’s a different experience. So, learning how to win on the road (and) understanding what road basketball is all about: toughness and defense. Teams don’t just give you wins. You’re not going to jump shoot your way to victory on the road. Our older guys, Johnny, Jules, Tyger, Jaime, obviously – playing with a gash on his head – I was just happy with their competitive toughness. They’ve been through this. They know how to win on the road.”
senior guard Jules Bernard
on bouncing back after the Gonzaga game
“We had a lot to think about after our last game. We had the day off to really think about our game, what we needed to work on, then we got straight to practice the next day. We had two great practices – super intense, high-activity. I think that pace we played at in practice really led into the game. We came out with a fast start.”
on the team’s rebounding
“That was something we really focused on – both offensively and defensively – in practice was blocking out and then when the shot goes up crashing the boards. I think our last two practices really were a reflection of what happened today.”
on differences between playing at the Thomas & Mack Arena and T-Mobile Arena
“More of a college environment type of thing. We were just excited to come out and play again to be honest.”
on adjustments he may have made for the UNLV game
“Just staying the course. I work hard on my game, after practice get shots up and things like that. I know there are going to be slumps sometimes and games where I don’t shoot as well, you have to stay even-keeled, don’t get too high or too low. That’s just the mindset I had, today my shots were falling.”
junior guard Johnny Juzang
opening remarks
“I thought we played a good defensive game, we followed the game plan well. They’re a talented team, they’re explosive, athletic. I thought we did a good job.”
on his individual performance
“I was just trying to follow the game plan and help us win. We haven’t played our best basketball, so just locking in and trying to be a leader, start that energy and be the guy pushing everything that we work out in practice and coach tells us. Just trying to bring the right culture.”
on the team’s defense
“We’re going to continue working to get better on that end of the floor. Being more disruptive, bringing the intensity level up on that side of the floor. It’s a work in progress, but this was a good start.”
on playing in Las Vegas
“It was a fun trip. Good team-bonding, chemistry. Obviously we had a rough performance, but it was a cool little trip. Took care of business at the end, so we get to go home on a high note.”
UCLA 73, UNLV 51
November 27, 2021
Mick Cronin, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men’s Head Basketball Coach
opening statement
“I told the guys it was good to have my team back. It’s been since last year where we’ve played that kind of defense. So, we had a couple spirited practices, talked a lot about what it takes to be a real team. Not relying on scoring and offense. Getting back to why we got to the Final Four. Getting back to why we were ranked. Just focus on whatever we got to do to win a tough road game. It starts with our defense. They’re a team that’s fast and athletic and we’re in their own gym. It took them a questionable whistle to get them to 51 in their own gym. Really happy with our effort and our attitude. I told them, ‘I don’t care about losing. I really don’t. It’s about how you play the game.’ I didn’t think we played the game and competed the way UCLA is supposed to play really this year, defensively, other than the last seven minutes of Villanova. So, it’s nice to have them back.”
on UCLA stopping UNLV’s runs in the first and second half
“When you’re on the road, teams play with pride at home. They don’t just fold the tent at home. They’re going to come after you. They’re going to foul you. They’re going to put pressure on the refs. Teams are going to be physical. They’re going to come at every angle. They aren’t just going to go back to their dorm rooms. Our guys did a good job. I told them at halftime, ‘We’ve got to take care of the ball better.’ We only had two turnovers in the second half. But they came out ready. Give them credit. They scored their first six or seven trips in the second half.”
on if this game is any different with it being a true road game
“Doesn’t matter. When you’re in another team’s gym. It’s a different experience. So, learning how to win on the road (and) understanding what road basketball is all about: toughness and defense. Teams don’t just give you wins. You’re not going to jump shoot your way to victory on the road. Our older guys, Johnny, Jules, Tyger, Jaime, obviously – playing with a gash on his head – I was just happy with their competitive toughness. They’ve been through this. They know how to win on the road.”
senior guard Jules Bernard
on bouncing back after the Gonzaga game
“We had a lot to think about after our last game. We had the day off to really think about our game, what we needed to work on, then we got straight to practice the next day. We had two great practices – super intense, high-activity. I think that pace we played at in practice really led into the game. We came out with a fast start.”
on the team’s rebounding
“That was something we really focused on – both offensively and defensively – in practice was blocking out and then when the shot goes up crashing the boards. I think our last two practices really were a reflection of what happened today.”
on differences between playing at the Thomas & Mack Arena and T-Mobile Arena
“More of a college environment type of thing. We were just excited to come out and play again to be honest.”
on adjustments he may have made for the UNLV game
“Just staying the course. I work hard on my game, after practice get shots up and things like that. I know there are going to be slumps sometimes and games where I don’t shoot as well, you have to stay even-keeled, don’t get too high or too low. That’s just the mindset I had, today my shots were falling.”
junior guard Johnny Juzang
opening remarks
“I thought we played a good defensive game, we followed the game plan well. They’re a talented team, they’re explosive, athletic. I thought we did a good job.”
on his individual performance
“I was just trying to follow the game plan and help us win. We haven’t played our best basketball, so just locking in and trying to be a leader, start that energy and be the guy pushing everything that we work out in practice and coach tells us. Just trying to bring the right culture.”
on the team’s defense
“We’re going to continue working to get better on that end of the floor. Being more disruptive, bringing the intensity level up on that side of the floor. It’s a work in progress, but this was a good start.”
on playing in Las Vegas
“It was a fun trip. Good team-bonding, chemistry. Obviously we had a rough performance, but it was a cool little trip. Took care of business at the end, so we get to go home on a high note.”