CU-UA Post Game Quotes

Colorado Head Coach Tad Boyle

General

“Well, my hat goes off to Arizona; they whipped us tonight in every which way you can whip a team. Our fans and our seniors deserve better than they got tonight and for that, I'm truly sorry. It was a disappointing performance by our team and I have to look square in the mirror on that, as their coach; I didn't do a very good job tonight. We're going to get better from this, but we're a better team than the way we played tonight; you can't get away with the way we played against a team like Arizona. I can't emphasize how good they are defensively; there are 11 other teams in the PAC-12 and then there's Arizona. It's not even close [on the defensive end of the floor]. Our frustrations on offense led to a dunk-fest tonight and they missed four shots in the second half.”

On Arizona's Strong Offensive Production

“No. 1, our ball screen defense was pathetic, we got no pressure on the ball, our rotations weren't where they needed to be; I can go on and on. Some of the dunks came in transition as a result of turnovers but turnovers really weren't a major issue for our team tonight. We shot the ball so darn quick that we didn't have a chance to turn it over. We took such bad shots and quickly, that it was like a turnover and they were able to get out in transition.”

On Struggling Against Arizona's Defense

“When they miss four shots in the second half and you're taking the ball out of the net, it's hard to run because the defense is set. When you let their defense get set, you better work it, you better execute, you better screen, you better cut, you better move, you better share the ball. Trying to dribble through them is not going to happen.”

On Disappointing the Fans

“Our fans were so ready for this game, for this win, and we gave them nothing. That's a sick feeling to go home with and to live with. I haven't been embarrassed many times as a coach, but I was embarrassed tonight, at the way our team played.”

On the Loss

“The onus is on Colorado Basketball; the coach and the players had a lot to do with it [the loss] tonight. Arizona had a lot to do with it [the loss] tonight. We talk all the time and focus on preparing to beat the best teams. In order to do that, you have to be efficient, unselfish, and together offensively; which we were none of the above tonight. You have to dig in defensively with a mindset to get stops. We didn't do that. They shot 84.6% in the second half.”

University of Colorado Student-Athletes

Josh Scott, So., F

On The Disappointing Game

“This is really disappointing. In the end, it's more disappointing for our seniors. We love those guys and we don't want to send them off that way so, I think that's the most disappointing part.”

On His Shortcomings

“I shot the ball 11 times which is a lot and sometimes I thought I got fouled and sometimes I didn't get the calls. I was just being aggressive. It's nothing that my teammates could have done. I shot 11 times and I was 10-for-10 on the free throw line. There's shots there not accounted for so, teams are going to double team me and they did a good job. They're the best defensive team in the Pac-12 so, it happens.”

On What Went Wrong

“I think we got a little jump shot happy but I think that's a credit to them. I think we turned over the ball a couple times at some key points in the game and it's mainly because they pack the paint, so that you're pretty much there to take those shots. We should have attacked that more.”

Askia Booker, Jr., PG

On What Went Wrong

“Just collectively as a team, I don't feel we had the most energy. We were giving up layup after layup and they hit some tough shots but I think we got ourselves back into the game. We cut it to six at half and that's not a bad spot to be at half time. We just gave it away in the second half.”

On Arizona's Three Pointers

“They hit a lot of 3s, a lot of 3s that we said they were capable of shooting but that they probably wouldn't hit. So, when you're in gap help it's kind of hard, when you're closing out, the guys that are knocking every shot out almost. Aaron Gordon is not that great of a three point shooter at all to me and he knocked one down in the corner. It might have just been one of those nights where you can't do much about those three point shots, but those layups are something we can take full control of and not give up.”

On Whether Or Not College Game Day Was A Distraction

“We're used to all the cameras being here and all these people setting up their stuff. It's not like we're doing interviews at half time or right before the game. We barely knew they were here, and yeah, we knew they were preparing but it has nothing to do once we step on the court and the ball goes up. It's not an excuse.”

On Arizona's Defense

“They contested almost every shot and some defenses you can break down and get to the paint and kick it out but every time we kicked the ball out it seems like they were right on you. It's tough to get shots off when they're right there. Every time we tried to pass the ball to the post, they sent in double team and we had to make plays from there and sometimes I think our space wasn't so good. It's just little things that we're going to have to watch on film and get better from.”

On Upcoming Games

“It's a road game so you want to have that week. Road games are the toughest, especially in the Pac-12 and we're going to take some days off, people are going to get in the gym, we're going to watch a lot of film, we're going to practice. We're going to be ready for next Saturday against Utah, I guarantee it. We're all embarrassed man, really embarrassed. This is something that, whether we're on the road or at home, this should never happen again.”

Arizona Head Coach Sean Miller

General

“We certainly played well, no question about it, our defense had a lot of energy. We shot the ball well from the field, once we got through our early free-throw drought we really settled in from an offensive perspective. We're excited, playing up here is not an easy deal, and we knew this was a big game for Colorado. We had a really good four or five days leading up to this game.”

On Josh Scott Not Starting

“No, I know a lot of coaches have that philosophy to start seniors, but I don't think that impacted the game.”

On Expanding Rotation

“I think we played nine (players), we learned a lot in the Arizona State game, and from that game on we've had a more clear direction of what our team needs to be the best that we can. I think we can still get better, we haven't had a lot of time playing without Brandon [Ashley], and the more we play without him the more sure of ourselves we become.”

On Arizona's Offense

“Colorado's a good team; we knew we weren't going to run away with it that early, our offense really kicked into another gear in the second half.”

On Aaron Gordon

“Aaron's really talented, he didn't play one of his best games at Utah and he had a great focus leading into our game. We talked a lot to make sure he was locked in, when you have an attitude like he has, it was only a matter of time before he broke through. He was terrific tonight. A couple things didn't go his way at Utah and uncharacteristically he hung onto that and it affected his game. That was a learning moment for him, sometimes you forget he's only a freshman, so he's working through things just like all 18 year olds do. No question it was his best game at Arizona.”

On Colorado

“We have great respect, I don't think you have any of our players saying anything negative about Colorado, saying we're going to win by 20, we don't do that. For us, we have to play the right way, we have to compete hard, and certainly we respect Colorado.”

-COLORADO-