Postgame Quotes: #19 Michigan 91, Nicholls State 62
11/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 29, 2014
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Michigan Head Coach John Beilein
Opening statement ... "You can imagine going into this game when we discovered Derrick (Walton Jr.) was not going to be able to play. We had some anxiety going into this game. It should help us be better when you get Spike Albrecht the ball and you have Caris LeVert in that backcourt so you can get through that. But at the same time it is always scary going into any game when you're missing what I think is one of the better point guards in the country. I was really proud the way our kids persevered through that, and our defense was exceptional in the first half, and we were able to get out far enough to hold on to win."
On the emergence of Ricky Doyle ... "Today, Ricky did have more minutes. I love some of the energy he provides coming off the bench. He was plagued by injuries in September and October, and that kept him from getting a rhythm. He did some of these things in Europe too; we love that big right-handed jump hook. That is a thing of beauty for every basketball coach in America."
On Zak Irvin's development ... "We consider him one of the premier shooters in college basketball. It allows us to play four-on-four if people stay attached to him, but he also has ability to get his own shot off the dribble. What we've seen now is attacking the basket, rebounding, defending. He's grown in his game all the time, and he's got so much more growth to do. His practice habits are going to lead him to continued development."
On Caris LeVert ... "He's growing every day. Here's what's really special about him, and I've coached a lot of fine young men; I'm talking about one of the best attitudes I've ever coached. From top to bottom: about going to class, about being on time, about work habits, about love for the game, and we recruit good kids. He's up there with the ones you love coaching every single day because you seem to be on the same page with him. He's on the same page with his teammates because he talks with them and with his coaching staff. You don't find that very often."
U-M Junior Guard Caris LeVert
On Kameron Chatman's performance ... "We really told Kam to stay aggressive the whole time. Kam can shoot the basketball. He had been going through a bit of a cold spell, but he really shot the ball well today. Along with Ricky (Doyle); Ricky's been playing really well too."
On the difference on the floor without Derrick Walton Jr., who missed today's game with an injury ... "Spike's (Albrecht) a great point guard as well, so there's not a lot of difference out there. Spike really played a great game: 10 points, seven assists, zero turnovers. That's a really good game. There's not really much difference out there."
On Zak Irvin's growth ... "I think Zak's done a great job. I'm really expecting a lot out of him this year. He's been knocking down threes like he has, but he's also been rebounding, taking the ball to the basket, passing the ball better. I think he's really had a great season so far."
U-M Freshman Forward Ricky Doyle
On his improvement so far this season ... "The big difference was the knowledge and speed of the game. It's kind of slowing down the more I learn the offense and becoming more efficient with my body movement. I'm getting a lot better with that."
On the intensity of the practices ... "Coach B is hard on all of us. He's making sure that we grow to our full potential out there. We carry over from practice to what we do in the game."
On the upcoming game against Syracuse ... "We could still see some flaws in our game (today). Today's game was a good way to help prep us for our game against Syracuse. It was good playing this game. We'll be in the film room ready to get better."
