Mark Schmidt Playing Quotations

It is a little harder now, because every coach knows about players, and there aren't many gems who get overlooked. But this game was a perfect opportunity to see what other players could do. It is nice to see these guys get rewarded with playing time.

We really didn't start playing until the last 15 minutes of the game. I don't know why, but we were dead in the first half. We just didn't have that jump, that step, that whatever you call it. That energy. We didn't come out with any energy.

This young team is playing with a chip on their shoulders because they were picked to finish 10th in the league. But they played with confidence against a hot Wagner team.

This was a big game for us because they are our in-state rival. It also was a TV game, so who wouldn't be up for playing on TV?

We were playing with a sense of desperation, which is what we needed after some tough losses.

We expected A.J. to have an immediate impact and he certainly has not disappointed anyone. It's hard sometimes sitting out a year, but he did a good job of playing hard and staying sharp last season during practice. He's gotten stronger over the last year, and A.J. certainly gives us a physical presence on the inside. What really also adds to his effectiveness and opens up opposing defenses is his ability to hit the outside shot.

A game like this builds chemistry. It's good for the walk-ons to get rewarded with playing time.