Ryan Tomlin Quotations

Watching Gilmer play, they're very athletic and very big. Just like every team we play, it seems like (the other team) always plays at another level.

We're going to have to be patient in what we do on offense and attack the basket. The most important thing is to make them play defense, and not play them shot-for-shot. We have to value each and every possession. That's when we're at our best, and I think that will affect them if we can do that.

We've shot the ball well the last two games. I told them we had to come out on top, because if we got behind, that could be a problem.

One thing we have to do is beat them. (Princeton) won't beat themselves, and I don't think we'll beat ourselves. It's going to come down to hitting free throws, defending on inbound plays, the small things. I think it's going to be a great game.

If we can get through this week (with wins) against Fairfield and Tatum, I'd feel a lot better about that ranking. The kids are excited about the game. What kid wouldn't want to be a part of a game like this? This one right here is going to be every bit as big as every other big game.

I feel good about what we're doing. We just have to break (Roosevelt's) press and handle the pressure. We can't get in a track meet with them. I think (our players) believe they're going to win. They're not going to panic if Greene doesn't play. This happens. I have full confidence in them.

He will take the blame (if things go wrong). He's never one time made an excuse of anybody else. He's so humble in what he's been given. He realizes his God-given gift and that's the most amazing thing about him. He's going to be hard to replace.

When he squares up and releases the ball when he wants to, I'm extremely confident it's going in. He has tremendous mechanics. The only time when his shooting percentage goes down is when he doesn't take a good shot or when someone's on him. The most important thing is when he's taking the ball to the basket. When he does that, he's a dangerous player.

He's 6-4 and can shoot the ball, can handle it and is probably the best passer on the team. If he sees that a guard is guarding him, he'll go down to the post. And he can shoot from outside if a post or a big forward is on him. He can also guard on the perimeter or at the post. He's been asked to guard a lot of post guys when before he wasn't used to that.

Our leadership and confidence in each other made them believe they would win (against Pittsburg). I think (Princeton) is going to focus defensively on Greene and try to take him out of the game, and I'm expecting them to use their post men to get ours in foul trouble. But we're in the regional tournament now. We just have to suck it up and hope for the best.

When people prepare for us, I don't think they concern themselves too much on Drew and Cody. They do the little things and step up on the defensive end to get us where we are.

This is going to be a challenge in every part of the game. They are going to bigger than us at every position. We just have to take care of the ball and rebound.

This is a totally different type of game (than the game with Van). Fairfield wants to outscore you. I think we're going to get plenty of scoring opportunities. It's just getting the shot we want and stopping them. I'm not worried about scoring points ... we've got to stop them. That's the whole focus.

This is an awesome feeling I have. I'm so proud. I've never in three years seen this team fight like this. Your all-state point guard goes down ... it's amazing what happens when you come together as a team.

It's an inside sprain, which is worse than an outside sprain. We're going to ice it and do some stimulation in the morning to see if we can flush some of the swelling out. People will say we have no chance with Brody going down, but I don't think so. I think desire and refusing to lose goes a long way.

It's going to be a packed house, no doubt. I hope the turnout is the same as with Van last year, as far as the score.

It's not a concern of ours at all. After going on a 26-game winning streak, it's not such a bad thing to lose one. Right now, we're just tired of practicing and ready to play.

It was 11-0, then I looked at the scoreboard and then it was (11-10), and that's us this year. But we stayed patient, having 10 seniors helped that. They know what it takes to win.

I know they're going to be up to play us, and they always are. It's always going to be a good game.

He's probably the most competitive kid I've ever coached. He hates to lose; he can't stand to lose. And that's what makes him good, because he gets it. He has a fear of losing, and he does everything in his power not to do that.

He plays as hard as anybody can play. He loves it. He just lives for Tuesday and Friday nights. When he was younger, he had a lot of problems communicating. People really didn't accept him for who he is.

These guys have been waiting for this tournament since we lost last year. This is a great tournament with a great atmosphere in a great gym. It's a good feeling when you win here.