Northeastern University Athletics

January 7, 2017
Northeastern Men’s Basketball Postgame Press Conference
 
Northeastern 64, James Madison 54
 
T.J. Williams
 
Williams on what won the game
It felt like down the stretch of the game, from the start really, the defensive side won us the game today. The defense led to offense and we knew that going in, before the game and we were ready for it I feel like our approach before the game and we really executed.
 
Williams on closing the game
Just staying in the moment, we knew they were going to go on runs, we knew we were going to go on runs, and I think the thing is when they [James Madison] go on runs, just being able to stay calm, stay together, stay in the moment and make basketball plays and believe in one another.
 
Williams on the start of the winning streak
In all honesty I’m going to say it started this summer when our freshmen came in I felt like we were going to be really good, I believed it, I felt like the freshmen that came in believed it and everybody else that was on the team, from the coaching staff to all the players, to the managers really felt that we were going to be good this year and we all believed it. Each and every day that we get to practice, that’s a blessing so I don’t really feel like we take that for granted and I don’t want us to take it for granted, each and every day I want to approach it the same way.
 
 
Coach Bill Coen
 
Coach on the defense
They [James Madison] scored a bit around the rim but I thought we defended the three point line really well and we created some turnovers which got us into transition so from that standpoint yes, they [defense] did get the ball in and around the rim a little too much for my liking but we played enough gritty man-to-man to get the job done.
 
Coach on the turnaround in the second half
Both he [Bolden Brace] and Shawn made some big threes for us, we need those guys to step up make shots, they had great looks in the first half, they’re confident shooters, they’re good shooters and T.J. believes in them and they kept distributing the ball which was nice to see. We’re a lot better when we’re sharing the ball and stepping in to shots and making shots and we felt like it was a matter of time. First half we didn’t make them, second half we were able to knock down a few.
 
Coach on free throw shooting
We’re working on it, it’s been really good for us when we’ve needed it and it’s been just okay on games we haven’t. It’s something that we can improve on certainly but today we needed every bit of our free throws to win this game.
 
Coach on being undefeated in conference
It’s game by game, it’s a long season, a 18 game seeding tournament for the CAA tournament, and to be out 4-0 we’re grateful but we’ve got a long way to go and a lot more to compete for.
 
Coach on what the success says about the team
I said to our guys ‘every game is not going to be like it was against Delaware on Thursday night where the ball was just going in.’ I thought we had really good looks in the first half, they just didn’t go and I think good shooters know that and stay with them, if you miss three and you’re a fifty percent shooter then the next three are going in. You’ve got to continue to shoot with confidence and we’ve got to continue to share the basketball and I thought we did that in the second half.
 
Coach on keeping Alex Murphy in the 5
Anthony has played really well for us and I think had an impact on tonight’s game, Max gives us a different look as well. There was a lot of ball stream motion for them, driving lanes, and he’s a great rebounder too so we don’t lose that much on the glass but we gain a little bit more perimeter defensively when Max is in the game. Both those guys are going to have to play big for us this year.