Postgame Quotes: #24 Michigan 77, Bucknell 53
11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 17, 2014
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| USA Today
Michigan Head Coach John Beilein
Opening statement ... "Like I mentioned with Hillsdale, we're playing against teams that really have good programs. You're not playing against just a team, you're playing against a program and that's going to be very good for us. We played a great first half and in the second half, we certainly weren't going to duplicate that. But at the same time, we have a lot of respect for Bucknell. (Chris) Haas from Pellston (Mich.) had a tremendous game; he's a tremendous shooter. It shows you that good players are all through division one. They weren't going to give in; they were going to hang in there with us because they have pride and they have a plan. They have had a very good basketball program for years. We're pleased that we could get away with a win and we could get a guy like Max Bielfeldt to have the opportunity that he had, as well as getting our veterans that have not played big minutes a lot of minutes and still continuing to feed the young guys as they try to get their feet on the ground."
On Max Bielfeldt's involvement in the game ... "If you look at Max's whole year, when we went to Europe he had a great opportunity to play but he could not play. Then he was not really in shape. He just made his sprints maybe ten days ago, so he wasn't in that type of shape. But, he still wasn't outstanding in practice. In the last couple of days of practice, he's been a man-child playing with our guys. He has been very, very good. So after yesterday's practice when the Bucknell scout team beat Michigan, he was the star on that team. He and I met today and we went over a couple of plays to make sure that he knew it. He didn't know it, but I had made my mind up earlier yesterday that he is the first big man off the bench."
On possible changes in the front court ... "I would like to see this consistently in practice over and over again. But we know that this has been the issue. He (Bielfeldt) hasn't been comfortable getting into the game and having a lot of time. So I think he had great confidence today and sometimes as a senior that just happens. We'll wait and see how it plays out. I won't be making any knee-jerk reactions, but I would assume that he'll be in the game with Detroit."
On avoiding another slow start ... "We talked about it. We had great shots the other day and we missed all three. They made a couple of really tough shots, so it wasn't like we came out there without energy. At the same time I talked about that. I said 'We're in a championship right now. We're trying to win the Legends Classic and to do that; we have to win all four. Let's get this first win, but champions don't come out slow. Champions come out from the get go.' We did that."
On (Derrick) Walton's rebounding performance ... "Instead of sending our guards out to the outlet, we send them to the backboard because there's so much cleanup. You can see his vertical and you can see that he gets up. He has a high care level to get rebounds. So you're going to see him being a leading rebounder many times while the other guys may be just blocking out other players."
On distributing the basketball ... "There were a couple of plays there that were really good. We had step-in threes instead of guarded threes. When you have Derrick (Walton) and Spike (Albrecht) out there, that's not a big back court but that's a smart back court. I loved seeing the development of Zak Irvin right now, seeing the floor. Caris (LeVert) has 15 assists and no turnovers in two games, but Zak only shot it when he had it last year. Now, it's a different deal. He's seeing the floor and he's doing some good things. He's driving down the lane and kicking it to the corner. There's a whole development going on. This is what teachers love, to watch it, although it's painful sometimes.
On Zak Irvin's play ... "I just want him to take open shots. He's going to be a volume shooter and he's going to do it all year long. I'm sure he'll have great nights and I'm sure he'll have some nights where he wished that he had made more. But, this is the way practices have been and the way it was in Europe. He's going to get a lot of looks. He has the ability like (Tim) Hardaway to get his shot off, and now we're continuing to work to get him good shots."
U-M Sophomore Guard Derrick Walton Jr.
On freshmen stepping up offensively ... "Last year around this time I wasn't really involved in the offense. They are still kind of learning it, so the only thing we can do is keep bringing them along and keep teaching them as much as possible. As the season goes on, you will see a big improvement out of them."
On coming out aggressively on defense ... "Last game we kind of lost the first four-minute war, and after that we were fighting back. We wanted to be the guys to make the first initial punch. Tonight was all about setting the tone from the jump."
On the competition that Max Bielfeldt brings to the front court group ... "Those guys are excited for each and every one of them that plays well on a certain night. We have the next man up mentality, so a performance like this will be the norm for this year."
U- M Senior Forward Max Bielfeldt
On whether or not he grew frustrated battling injuries this summer ... "It's always frustrating sometimes, especially when you're in pain and know you can't quite do everything you want to do or everything you did in the past. So it is a little frustrating but I always try to keep an optimistic view. You can't get down on yourself."
On his expectations for the season ... "There is a long season ahead of us, a lot of games. I don't want this to be the highlight of my senior season. I have to capitalize on this and keep doing what I can do when I am given the opportunities."
On if he can be a versatile player ... "I think we have a lot of good bigs, and I am trying to show coach that I am not the same guy that I was the past couple of years and I can do some things that they can't do, and they can do something that I can't do. Together all of us make a pretty good attack."
U-M Sophomore Guard Zak Irvin
On Zak Irvin's ability to move inside-outside well ... "I think all the hard work I was able to put in for the spring and summer has really paid off. I've just got to thank my teammates for the opportunity as well."
On getting used to a starting role ... "I think Italy really helped me out and the team as well. It really helped with team chemistry and also gave me a lot of confidence going into the season."
On if being a starter brought confidence ... "I think it's definitely helped my game. I get that confidence from the coaching staff and teammates as well, just from them telling me to play my game."
On Max Bielfeldt's career night ... "He's our only senior this year. He's seen it all and we've been able to see him in practice every day. We know what he's capable of. It was great to see him capitalize that opportunity tonight and hopefully keep that going for the rest of the season."
