Post-Game Quotes

Arkansas vs. Georgia

Jan. 17, 2007

Arkansas Coach Stan Heath

“Those kids are hurting right now. We’re all stunned. [Newman] got hot toward the end of the game and made a tough shot over a good shot blocker. Our turnovers hurt us a lot. With two minutes to go and a six-point lead, we have to be able to close. We can prepare and prepare but we have to close. We had a play designed for Patrick [Beverly] but [Sundiata] Gaines made a play on the ball and unfortunately we didn’t get to it. Georgia is a good team, but there’s no reason for us to lose at home.”

On Stephen Hill’s performance:

“Stephen had his best game tonight. He’s becoming more and more of an inside threat so we need to continue to get the ball to him.”

On the upcoming LSU game:

“Our back is against the wall, but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have to get the job done.”

Arkansas Players

Center Steven Hill

On his career high scoring:

“This game was bittersweet for me. Getting the win at home is the most important thing. They hit a bunch of great shots. We gave this game away and we didn’t finish it like we need to. We have to work on that.

“He (Steve Newman) hit his shot. We’ll learn from that and move on.”

Forward Sonny Weems

“We didn’t execute on the defensive end tonight. Coach gave us a plan and we didn’t execute it. Coach gave us a scouting report on (Steve) Newman and we didn’t execute it. We need to come out and practice hard because LSU is a good team. (The last second shot by Newman) felt like a dagger in my heart.”

Guard Gary Ervin

“We just have to finish ballgames. We need to do the little things at the end of the game and not turn over the ball with seven seconds left. It’s the small things we didn’t do at the end of the game. It was a careless turnover.”

Georgia Players

Forward Steve Newman:

“For my basketball career this is the No. 1 moment in my life. I’ve never hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer. The play was supposed to be one guy runs a screen and comes off, and then I would set a screen. I guess Sundiata (Gaines) forgot or something so I just popped out the shot. Everyone was covered and I’m sure they didn’t expect me to make a 26-foot shot, but I was lucky.”

Georgia Coach Dennis Felton

“This was such an interesting game. I talked to the boys before the game in the locker room about growing up and maturing on the court. This was the perfect opportunity.

In the first half we did everything we wanted defensively and kept the ball out of the post’s hands, but we didn’t make a lot of our shots.”

On halftime:

“We needed to sustain their effort and contain their numerous runs. We had to prove what kind of team we are.”

Newman’s Shot:

“ What can I say, he was feeling it. Newman caught the momentum and made the shot.”