March 18, 2006

Recap |  Box Score

California Head Coach Ben Braun

On NC State's defense...
I thought we did a pretty good job in the first half and on the block in key times in the second half. The big difference was they converged off the dribble (on Leon Powe). We're talking about one of top teams, not only that we've played, but one of the top teams in the country - I think No. 1 in the ACC. They're a good defensive team.

Junior Guard Ayinde Ubaka

On his missed three-point attempt in the final minute...
I was just looking for a score. I thought that was the best shot. I've taken those kinds of shots before. I just rushed it and missed.

On defense at the end of the game and Bethel's three-point shot...
We played solid defense and took away their first, second and third shots. The man just made a great play. He hit a tough shot, which is what they wanted, except they made it.

Sophomore Forward Leon Powe

On NC State's defense...
They fronted me well and kept a man behind me when I did catch it and put down the dribble. I had a long way to go to the basket. They kept people waiting for me in the lane if I got there. They didn't let me get the basketball where I wanted to get it.

North Carolina State Head Coach Herb Sendek

On the team's defense against California forward Leon Powe...
I thought we played excellent team defense for forty minutes. Cedric [Simmons] drew Powe for most of the night, but I thought all the other guys were very aware of where he was and did a good job. He [Powe] really is an exceptional player. He not only scores his own points, but is responsible for many of the other points California scores.

On senior guard/forward Cameron Bennerman...
You need special players to step up and Cameron's been that guy for us throughout the year. Tonight he was really special. He certainly made the field goals that allowed us to take the lead we finished with.

On key three-pointer from senior guard Tony Bethel...
I thought Tony Bethel did an extraordinarily good job all night with providing us leadership. When you looked in his eyes, when you heard his voice, he provided that calm reassurance a team needs in a close game on a stage like this. So I'm not surprised that he stepped up and made the shot that he did. He had a tremendous disposition tonight all the way around.

Senior Forward/Guard Cameron Bennerman

On three-point shot at the end of the game...
We ran a couple of plays to try to get a good shot. The shot-clock was winding down, we swung it around and the guy ran out reckless. So I pump faked, drove around and went for the three.

On Gavin...
He didn't shoot that many threes this year. But tonight he came out - it's the NCAA tournament; he's a basketball player. Tonight he stepped up. I felt like we didn't adjust early enough to him when he hit one or two in a row. We should have stepped up on him and made him do something else.