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March 20, 2005

Recap |  Box Score |  Notes |  Photo Gallery

Louisville Coach Rick Pitino

Opening Statement: "I feel like a 25-year old dad having his first child, being so proud. These three young men; Larry was the first recruit and then Taquan and Francisco came to Louisville without ever seeing the place, just a phone call by Taquan. I think back on that today on how much time I have spent recruiting some kids and then to land these three young men and see them play that type of basketball, it is like being a proud father. My pride level is so out of the sky right now with these young men. I don't know hat to say, I am just so proud of them. I am just a very lucky coach to coach these three guys. I get to coach Taquan again next year, so lucky me."

On press: "Our press was a non-factor tonight. We didn't press at all. I mean we 2-2-1 pressed with the sole thing in mind that we wanted to do three things tonight. We wanted to slow them down. They are an awesome transition team. We had to beat them from the 3-point line, defending as well. The backcourt was going to be a major key. Mission was ccomplished. Our respect level for Georgia Tech is enormous. This is a team, when healthy, went through a championship last year. We knew if we kept them out of transition we would have a great chance of winning.

On half-court defense: "We wanted to play our two defense. We intended on playing more man, but when we got into the early foul trouble I had to adjust. We were going to play about 30 percent man and 70 percent zone. We got in the early foul trouble and had to play in the zone.

On not getting on team because of quality of play: "I always find reasons to get on them. The one thing that is interesting. Georgia Tech is the best defensive team in the ACC. Our offensive execution was brilliant. Our defense was great. This was one of our best games. We felt like we had to play a great game to beat Georgia Tech. I think that has helped our team be a great road team this year. These guys you see up here are incredibly humble young men.

On altitude in Albuquerque: "I have played there many times. It is not a factor, really is not. These timeouts are so long it is not a problem. It is the first time as a coach that I am not tired and I am doing nothing.

On tournament: "I look at this tournament, and how amazing was that West Virginia game last night? It is an amazing game what's going on with Wisconsin -Milwaukee. That's why the college basketball game is the greatest game that there is. That's why March Madness is so popular. Because of everybody leaving early and going pro, there are no levels any more. Everybody is at the same level. That makes it so much fun and exciting. That's why it is so tough to seed, because the parity is so difficult. College basketball is unbelievable to be part of.

Louisville Players

Senior Larry O'Bannon

On controlling Georgia Tech's run: "We talked about that coming out of halftime. We said that we played well last year against Xavier (before falling to them in the first round of the tournament) but we said we don't ever want that feeling again. Coach told us they were going to make a run. It's not like we're playing a team with a 200 RPI, they're a pretty good team. We knew they were going to make a run and then we'd make our run. We just needed to play good defense."

On the Washington match-up: "They're a number one seed, so you know they're a pretty good team. I've gotten to watch them a few times during the year, and I know they're a great transitional team."

Junior Taquan Dean

On the team's effort tonight: "The way the shots were going, I'd say it was a 100% [effort]. Everybody gave their all. From the end of the bench, from Brad (Gianiny) to whoever is on the floor, we gave it our all. We saw N.C. State play their way in (to the Sweet 16), and we wanted to get in, too."

On Francisco's play: "He's just got his swagger back. During the year guys were saying he's not that good, that he won't be a draft pick and should stay one more year. But as a guy that can get everybody better on the floor, I think he deserves to be a draft pick. Now he's showing the world what he can do, and that's score and pass the ball at the same time."

Junior Francisco Garcia

On Louisville's rebounding efforts: "Our focus coming into the game was to just rebound the ball. We knew coming into the game that they were strong and very physical. We had to go to the boards today."

Georgia Tech Head Coach Paul Hewitt:

On the five graduating seniors of GT: "Tonight, it's about thanking our five seniors, who put the Georgia Tech basketball program back on the national map, so to speak. But, more important for me, the example they set for the younger guys on how to handle themselves on campus, in the classroom, and in the community. If you wanted to put together a public service announcement, what a student athlete is supposed to be, I got five guys that you could follow around, and you'd see exactly what you want a student athlete to be."

On Louisville: "I'm not trying to tick anybody off, but if somebody tells me this is a four-seed, you're nuts. You're absolutely nuts. They're as good as anyone we've played this year. This is the best screening and passing team we've played all year. They space the floor very well. They played an exquisite basketball game. They passed the ball well. They spread us out. When we took away the three, they went to the basket. They got to the foul line. They played a very good basketball game."