College Quotebook – November 10th-24th
by Nicholas Lozito
Where’s The Loyalty?
“The landscape has changed and the Conference USA that we have known and loved will no longer exist. We needed to find a new home and the Atlantic 10 was a perfect fit.”
– Charlotte athletic director Judy Rose on the reasoning behind her school’s recent move from Conference USA to the Atlantic 10. The off-season conference shuffling has directly affected six conferences: Conference USA, Atlantic 10, Big East, Mid-American, Western Athletic and Atlantic Coast. Miami and Virginia Tech’s move from the Big East to the ACC triggered the madness.
“We hope this concludes the restructuring but realize that there may be more change.”
– Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky, who has lost seven schools overall to the Big East and Atlantic 10, but has picked up five from the WAC and Mid-American
“We didn’t force people to do this. People wanted to do this. We probably could have (taken more schools).”
– Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese after nabbing five schools from Banowsky’s Conference USA
Still Mourning, But Moving On
“It’s getting tough now because this would be the time that we would be planning Patrick’s trip home for the holidays.”
– Brian Brabazon, step-father of slain Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy
“Our hearts continue to sorrow … but the time has come to allow the activities of the present to claim our focus.”
– Milton Cunningham, a retired Baylor chaplain, before the team’s first game against Texas Southern
“With no postseason, we really kind of have no fear, nothing to lose. Every game is our championship pretty much. Every win is so important to us because that’s all we have, and that’s how we’re approaching every game.”
– Baylor senior guard Matt Sayman after the team defeated Texas Southern, 72-59, in their opener. A self-imposed probation bans the Bears from postseason play.
Spartan Softies
“Teams that play hard usually win, and this is the softest team we’ve had in the nine years I’ve been here. We are soft.”
– Head coach Tom Izzo after his No. 7-ranked Spartans narrowly defeated Bucknell, who shot an atrocious 1-of-17 from the free-throw line, in their opener.
“It’s tough. This is an opportunity we don’t get every night.”
– Bucknell guard Kevin Bettencourt after the loss.
Nobody Messes With The ‘Do…Except Coach
“I’m going to keep it in braids. That’s what he wants, so that’s what I’m going to give him.”
– San Diego State point guard Wesley Stokes on he and coach Steve Fisher’s compromise to tame his hair. Stokes, a transfer from Missouri, used to sport an afro that would make former Oakland Athletics outfielder Dwayne Murphy jealous.
“I’m going to throw it out one game for Retro Night,” Stokes added.
The Backlash
“If there was ever a time when I wish the hands of time could be turned back, it is right now.”
– Former Kentucky State head coach Winston Bennett shows remorse for striking guard Ricky Green in the face during a practice. Bennett was fired on Nov. 6.
Calhoun, On The Record
“I think what it means is I’m getting old. I’ve always felt that you don’t just push these milestones aside because it means that I’ve been at two great schools (Northwestern and Connecticut) and had a lot of good players. It’s a tribute to them.”
– Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun after capturing win No. 650.
A Little Respect, Please
“Dirty Bastard, Dirty Bastard…”
– Stanford student section after a hard foul committed by Sacramento State’s Chris Lange
“Left, right, left, right… left, right, left, right… SIT DOWN!”
– Stanford student section mocks Sac State forward Joel Jones’ walk to the bench after fouling out. Many other words that cannot be printed were shouted towards Sac State players throughout the game.
A Bit More R & R In Florida
“We’re young. It’s a long year. We had some guys hit the wall emotionally at the end of (last) year. The question is, what can I do to eliminate that feeling for those guys?”
– Florida coach Billy Donovan has lightened November practices and consulted more with nutritionists and strength coaches in an effort to keep his team in peek condition come March.
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