Jeff Ruland Quotations

Seton Hall outplayed us in every aspect of the game. They out-toughed us, out-hustled us and outplayed us.

It's made my life easier this year. The first three years I had to suffer because they were up and down. They will still come back in spurts and remind me of old times. But we're all on the same page. These guys are focused and they bring it every day.

You don't shoot in the 40s by just throwing it up there. I'm giving you guys a good feeling of New York.

Anybody in our league would have died to have him out of high school. He does all the little things. I don't think anybody really tried to see what his offensive talents are. He can shoot from 15 feet, he rebounds and finishes around the basket. I'd be surprised if he wasn't a double-double player for us.

If they really want to win this tournament, they'll win it. It's no disrespect to anybody else. If they're all on the same page, it could be scary.

If they want to win this thing, they will. No disrespect to anyone else but this team can be scary.

We don't play basketball to give up 65 percent shooting in a half. That's why we put ourselves in the hole. We didn't following our scouting.

I've got to take the blame. I thought we were past that. It's good to feel good about yourself, but when the ball goes up, you've got to compete. You don't get W's from reading the press clippings.

I've just been telling them it's one of the greatest things that will happen in their lives, this tournament. Everybody comes in with their slates wiped clean. I haven't had to talk too much. They have been very focused. I'm really, really impressed with their maturity, and how they're focused on the task at hand.

He's a multifaceted player, and he moves well for a player his size. He has a great shooting touch, and he'll rebound the heck out of the ball. ... He'll pose a big challenge.