Greg McDermott Quotes (116 Quotes)

I'll take that shot with Ben Jacobson any time. I'm pretty confident that the other nine (Valley) coaches, in a one-point game, don't want the ball in his hands because they know what he's capable of.

First of all, my gratitude to the donor goes beyond words. To think someone views our program in such regard that they would be willing to make a substantial financial donation to supplement our program, it's really hard for me to fathom. I'm very appreciative.

We've been able to get healthy and work out some of the kinks, particularly on the offensive side of the floor. The 13-day break has been a blessing for us.

Their balance is very impressive. They don't have one go-to guy who does a lion's share of the scoring.

It's simply a dream come true to have the opportunity to assume the reins of a program that has the reputation and resources of Iowa State University. Staying in this state - close to family and friends- was a bonus.

Virtually every team in the country goes through it. At some point during the season, the ball doesn't bounce your way and the shots don't fall. We just happened to go through it at the end of the season.

For our league to be this good, and to go however many weeks into this season and this is the first time one of our teams is ranked, has really been too long.

We had to make up a lot of ground. Fortunately, Grant believed in us.

We've talked, but that's as far as it's gone. There's still time for (Thompson) to make a decision.

There's no time in life to be in neutral.

The thing I don't like about it is, it takes away Christmas. That break is refreshing for players and coaches to spend a couple days with their families, without basketball. I know the conference is real sensitive to that, as well.

I'm excited for our players. This is the first time our school has ever been ranked and for this particular group to be one that cracks the Top 25 is very special. I'm sure in a lot of our fans' minds they think something like this has never been possible. I want them to enjoy it while it lasts and we'll do what we can to stay there but we're in a very tough league.

Sometimes you get caught up in those things just because everyone else does it, but you don't understand what it really means.

It wasn't a good morning for the bubble, but the afternoon appears to be better.

There's no chance we'll overlook Drake. They handled us soundly in Des Moines, and had a great chance to win the game here. We got the benefit of a call at the end of the game and made a free throw. Otherwise, that was going to overtime.

That was the difference in the game at Creighton Tuesday night. We really got outplayed to start the second half. We reminded the guys of that at halftime, that we needed to get off to a good start in the second half.

The guys that can take it to the basket on the dribble and also shoot the 3 and have size and athletic ability, they're at Georgetown, not Northern Iowa. We built this team on our ability to shoot the ball. When we're not shooting it, we don't have a lot of other places to turn.

Obviously I'm concerned. Normally we play our best basketball this time of year. For whatever reason we're not clicking on all cylinders right now.

That shows his maturity. In the past, he'd go into his shell when things didn't go well for him.

It was really hard to get easy baskets against them because they are big and athletic. We really were out-battled in the paint today, and that was a big difference in the game.

We have to find a way to win some more on the road and protect our home court if we expect to be playing for something that last week of February.

I would have never envisioned we would raise that kind of money. We wanted to make a difference.

We have to make sure we get a crack at the basket every possession.

With each meeting, each individual workout, each interaction in the weight room that maybe clears their mind and hopefully makes this decision an easy one for them. They've been enthusiastic and doing what we ask them to do. I would say that's a good sign.

Given his situation, I don't think there's any question. He needs the time. He's doing things every game better than he did the game before, but a week of practice and time off his foot will benefit him.

They obviously have nothing to lose in this situation, and we've got everything to lose. I hope our guys are focused enough to understand how hard it's going to be to go in there and get a win.

I wore it, just so the guys could remember how good we are and what we've accomplished. We didn't want any self-doubt coming into this tournament.

Some people might think it's ugly basketball. I think it's two teams really trying to take the other team out of what they're trying to do, and both teams succeeded.

This is a program with a great history. He's done a great job of bringing the program back to prominence like his dad.

They spread us out. In Springfield we won the battle of the paint and this is the first time in a long time somebody outplayed us down there.

This is my job and that's all there is to it. I haven't talked to anybody nor do I plan to.

Shaw was outstanding. To his credit he hit some big shots with a hand in his face.

Unfortunately, both of my decisions turned out to be the wrong one, but that's kind of the way it's gone here the last couple of weeks.

It's something that even I wouldn't have thought possible given what we're up against.

We're . . . playing for our lives. They've got nothing to lose. Those are always dangerous games.

You have to kind of make a decision, and we're built on our ability to shoot the basketball. When you're not shooting it, you don't have a lot of other places to turn.

You wouldn't think that teams could play however much we've played - now 135 minutes of basketball - and be that close.

This has been a dream job for me. I haven't thought too much beyond this, but you never say never.

Things were to our advantage before (Saturday night's game). Now, we have a heck of a challenge ahead of ourselves.

Usually when you rebuild a program, that's the last thing that takes place. First, you have to try and instill some confidence on your home floor. Then, over time, you hope that happens on the road as well, and with this group it has.

For us, it's because we're better and we have sustained a good record for a few years. Combine that with the fact that the league is better, and people want to see these good games.

I'm excited that Alex has decided to join our program. After meeting with Alex and his family, I'm convinced of his passion to become a Cyclone. His versatility will give us the flexibility to play him at several positions.

Matt Shaw was outstanding. He hit some perimeter shots at key times that some frontline players would be a little tentative to take.

All I know is there will be one John Thompson on the bench and one right behind the bench. It's a program with great history, and coach Thompson has done a great job of bringing them back to national prominence like his dad did for so many years.

I don't think it's necessary to discuss what other opportunities there were. Iowa State is an opportunity to try to build something special in my home state at the highest level.

Obviously you'd like to be in a position where you control your own destiny, but you can't.

Ben looked at me a little cross-eyed when I called Grant's number.

Sometimes you miss. That's just the bounce of the ball.

Probably not, based on the history of the program. It's hard to imagine that this has all happened.

Anytime we can have a four-point lead and those guys haven't scored a point, that's a luxury.