MBB1/15/2016 9:41 AM | By: Cal Athletics
Cal-Stanford Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Cuonzo Martin:
We got off to a poor start early. I thought we were very passive. Stanford plays tough at home, it was a hard fought game.
On Jabari Bird's performance:
For Jabari, it's just about confidence. You see it in practice. He puts so much time into it, and it's just a matter of time before those shots start to fall. It's good to see that. But he brings other things to the table, shots fakes, gets big rebounds, gets into the passing lanes.
On the Number of 3-point attempts:
If they're going in, 40 percent from the 3-point line isn't bad. If they're good shots, we're ready to catch and shoot.
On the high number of fouls:
I guess we were fouling, hand-checking and fouling. I couldn't see them up close, but if the officials make the call, that's what it is.
On whether he's looking forward to playing at home next week:
When we get home, it helps. We have to do a good job of defending on a high level on the road. The guys collectively on the floor need to have leadership among them to make decisions, to communicate with other guys and to help each other. That's the key, we have to continue to grow in that area.
Jabari Bird and Jaylen Brown:
On the game:
Brown: On the road, you just have to execute a lot more, you have to find ways to win. You have to come out with higher energy, they're defending their home court. We just gotta match them.
Bird: My teammates did a good job of finding me, I just had to make open shots tonight basically, that's all. They're shots I should be making from the rim.
On the number of 3-point attempts:
Brown: We have to get to the basket a little more, but we'll figure it out. I give credit to Stanford - they did a good job of closing off the lanes. Our guys, including myself, have got to be a little more aggressive. They were hungrier to get to the cup, that's all.
On the rhythm of the game given the number of fouls:
Brown: It is, but we should be used to that by now. That's the way they're calling the game. But that's no excuse. We still could have won this game - we had every opportunity to win this game, we just came up short. A tough loss. Stanford wanted it a little bit more than we did.
Bird: We weren't playing to our ability. We know what we can do when we play defense for 40 minutes. They were scoring too easily. Stanford (seemed to shoot) 75 percent in the first half.