Post-Game Quotes

Arkansas vs. Texas Tech

Dec. 16, 2006

Postgame quotes

Arkansas Head Coach Stan Heath

“The fans were ready to go at the start of the game, but we did not do our part. Our team did not look like the same one that played a few days ago against Oakland. Jarrius Jackson set the tone for Texas Tech early on, getting them off to a great start and we were never able to claw our way back into the game. We knew their guards were going to be the key coming into the game, but we were still not able to stop them. In the second half we were able to cut their lead to eight, but we could not get that big stop or hit the big shot to get any closer.”

“We were not able to get the ball inside like we wanted because it seemed that they were being more physical inside and pushing our big guys off the sweet spot in the post. I felt like Charles (Thomas) was the only one really able to get going in the second half. Gary (Ervin) did not start off either half very well but I felt that after we subbed him out and got him back in he settled down some. However we have got to get more consistent play from our point guard position if we want to win the game.”

Arkansas Forward Charles Thomas

“Our fans created a great environment and we let them down. You have to give a lot of credit to the Texas Tech players and coaching staff for taking care of business. We will make sure and come out and be ready for Texas.”

Arkansas Guard Gary Ervin

“We truly let our fan base down. (Texas Tech) got us out of sync and we simply did not make the shots. We did not do as good of a job today as we have in the past of getting guys open looks.”

Arkansas Guard Patrick Beverly

“I would just like to apologize to our fans and make sure they understand that we will be back.”

Texas Tech Head Coach Bob Knight

“Both teams played hard and pretty well defensively. Last year, they capitalized on our errors. The one thing we emphasized was handling the ball. We scored when we needed to score in the second half. To be able to exercise control of the game in the first half, and then hold them off, was good for us because we have not been very good at that. When you’re going down the wire in a tight game, you’ve got to do something to get to the foul line.

(On Arkansas) “They had good defensive intensity. They didn’t shoot very well from the outside, so, hopefully that means we sealed off the middle.

(On their schedule) “This is the fifth game of six we have been on the road, nobody has done that. We gave our guys too tough of a schedule.”

Texas Tech Guard Jarrius Jackson

“This was one of our better competitive days. We knew Arkansas was a tough team. We executed well on defense tonight. (After my injury) I still wanted to go in and help my team win in the second half. They had great heart and executed the game plan. I wasn’t worried.”

Texas Tech Guard Charlie Burgess

“I knew from watching tape of the Missouri game that we had to keep pressure on Gary Ervin because he is their main ball-handler. Once (Jarrius Jackson) was out everyone had to pick it up after that. I just want to thank everybody on the team that put in great effort. We want to focus on winning the next games before conference play begins. We have to take every game one by one and play like each game is our last.”