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Penn State Head Coach Ed DeChellis
I think first of all I am really proud of our team and a team effort this evening.  We had several guys get a big basket for us when we need to or make a defensive play, or make free throws when we needed to.  I was really proud of our guys.  We didn't play well over the weekend.  We came home feeling pretty miserable about ourselves.  The kids practiced and did a great job.  I think our freshman made some big plays, made some big free throws.  Are little guy (Battle) made a lay-up when we needed to and made a big play.  That's all good stuff and we are going to try to build off from that. 

The students were unbelievable tonight.  I think our student crowd is as good as I've seen it here.  I think as the guys mentioned, fed off our student crowd.  I know we had a lot of kids that surrounded the court and they had to sit upstairs because there was no room.  That's just tremendous and I would like to thank all of the students.  That was tremendous and a great atmosphere. 

How much anxiety did you have going into this game considering what happened last weekend?

I've slept since Friday like two hours and up or three hours and up.  I just thought we were a better team and it's my job to make them play better.  We made baskets tonight. Mike made some big baskets.  We couldn't make any baskets in Florida.  We couldn't make threes, we couldn't make twos, we couldn't make the big shot.  And hopefully this will give our kids some confidence.  I am really proud of them.  It wasn't easy.  It is not an easy deal.  Coming to practice was not easy because of losing some games and not feeling good about themselves.  But I give Virginia Tech credit.  They punched us a little bit late and we kind of returned it and counterpunched and made some plays.

What was the difference of today and last weekend?

Well I don't know if it was because we were home or that we were relaxed.  I think we got some easier baskets tonight.  We didn't settle on the three.  We did some different things especially in the first half.  We got some shots inside the arch.  From Florida, I looked at things when I got home, and I saw that we had no mid-rage game.  I thought we had drives and got some easier shots tonight.

You had a couple of steals and scores.

Yeah, we scored of our defense.  Our defense was pretty good.  I thought our zone late was good.  I think in the first half it was pretty good too.  They didn't score off our 1-3-1.  That was a pretty good change of tempo for us.  And late when you're up four, we went to that, and we had four freshman on the floor and Mike Walker, so we decided to play that.  Geary had four fouls and he was tired.  Like these guys mentioned, we had other guys step up to make some plays. 

Jamelle and Geary had only 12 points combined.  You think you would need more than that for the team to win?

Well yeah, you would think that, but that is the difference in this team.  I don't think last year we didn't have enough weapons to bring off the bench and do that.  We got a few more weapons.  Now they are young, they are freshman, but they made plays tonight. 

What have you learned about your team through this stretch?

Like I said, I was very proud of them.  I think they are a resilient group.  They practiced pretty hard for us the last few days.  They are excited now and they are ready.  They have more life and juice.  I think we are going to become a more resilient group.  We didn't play well in Orlando, but we never were out of the game.  We were always trying to find a time to hang in the game.  We just didn't make the plays we made tonight to win.  So I think this team has pretty good spirit, and we're going to build off from that. 

Stanley Pringle got only six minutes tonight.  Is there anything wrong?

No.  Mike Walker was playing pretty well.  And that is what I was telling the guys after the game, that when guys play well, other guys wont be able to play as much.  We've never had that luxury before.  So guys need to understand that if a guy comes in and plays pretty well, I'm not going to do something else.  Mike's a senior and with all the young guys, I thought we didn't need another young guy that has never been in this situation before.  So we went with Mike on offense and Danny on the defensive end late.  So it wasn't anything Stanley did or didn't do.  I just had the feel that this is the way we should go and that is where we went. 

With the crowd tonight, do you think you are going to get people to come out more after a big win tonight?

Well I hope so.  Our marketing people have done a nice job and tried to work it.  You know, we make some plays and try to do our part and win.  Again, our students are very key.  You know in the Big Ten arenas, students are, it's tough.  And I think the Jordan Center could be a really great place to play.  The students are the main part of it, and our season ticket holders are community people.  But the students bring much energy to the arena.  Our kids feed off that energy.  You can't describe that, you cant until you have been through it and know what the kids are feeling.  They love playing in front of the students. 

How have your young kids responded in practice?

I think Taylor has responded well and Jeff, they were talkative.  D.J. and our young kids were very talkative in practice.  At halftime, we talked about going back out there and getting it done.  When Virginia Tech made a run at us, you know I put three things on the board before the game.  I said trust, togetherness, and toughness.  Three things we had to concentrate on tonight and we trusted each other.  I thought we were together, and I thought our kids were tough.  We made plays and we made the free throws we had to make. 

Was today the type of offensive performance you wanted to see from Taylor Battle?

Yea, he only had one turnover.  That's very positive.  He made one shot we needed him to.  He's played six college games.  He and the other kids care.  They want to win and they are willing to put in the time and effort to be successful.  

PENN STATE PLAYER QUOTES
#4 Mike Walker, Senior, Guard
#12 Talor Battle, Freshman, Guard
#25 Jeff Brooks. Freshman, Forward

Q: Why didn't you sulk after not playing in the second-half vs. UCF?
Mike Walker: I think it's just about having a good attitude. Me having a bad attitude after that game, I don't know what it would've done. It wouldn't have been a good example for the new guys. I know it definitely wouldn't have helped me play better. I've tried to do that for four years, just have a good attitude and see what happens.

Q: You made some shots early on, how does that affect your game?
Mike Walker: A lot. The first time I sub in off the bench that can really make or break my game. Even the first couple shots I take if they fall, it makes me more confident I'll get more minutes in the second half. It's tough to shoot confidently, but when you hit two out of three or your first one, it really helps.

Q: Talor, can you describe the little runner and how that came about with 38 seconds to go?
Talor Battle: Coach called up a play. We were trying to get inside and I read it. I saw that it wasn't open and saw that the shot clock was runner down, so I just spun and tried to get into the lane. The guy fake out and I just shot the ball with confidence and it dropped. It was a big shot.

Q: There was a cross-screen in the back, was that going to Geary Claxton?
Talor Battle: I think it was David Jackson coming off. The guy was kind of dancing. I just spun off my man and his guy didn't pick up. I just floated it in and thankfully it went in.

Q: You didn't have any trepidation about shooting that shot, you've come in as a freshman and shot big shots...
Taloy Battle: Definitely, I think in high school taking those shots definitely helped me. It's still a different level. The coaches and the players around me just give me confidence and have confidence in me to take those shots. It was kind of one of those in the flow of things and so I took the shot and thankfully it went in.

Q: Mike, you've guys have been through a string of losses and it's really built and kept going. What was different this time that let you come out of it?
Mike Walker: We just have a different attitude this year as a team. We went 0-3 in Florida, which is frustrating and embarrassing with all three games on national television. We didn't get down as a team. We came in on Monday and had a light practice, kept our spirits up. Yesterday we had a real good practice and a good shooting round today. I just really think we have a different attitude this year. The leaders have down pretty well. These two guys as freshman have kept everyone's spirits up and kept everyone smiling. It's just been more fun. It's not all work and we don't get anything out of it. We're trying to have fun and win at the same time.

Q: Jeff, your new to this. How important was a win like this after what happened in Florida?
Jeff Brooks: It's good. Losses can compound to more losses. We were just trying to come into this game with a big and spirited attitude so that when we won, it just multiplies to more wins for us.

Q: Mike, you were creating opportunities for yourself tonight. What was different from what you normally do?
Mike Walker: I think it's easier when you do hit a couple shots, you have a little more freedom to try a couple things. Obviously when I'm 0-3, I'm not going to take some of the shots I took tonight. But when you hit shots, you get more confident. The coach has more confidence in you. On nights like this, sometimes the ball just falls for you. I missed wide-open lay-ups and two free throws, but some shots went in. I got some luck rolls. Sometimes it just comes down to that.

Q: Geary and Jamelle only had 12 points tonight, how positive is it that you still won?
Mike Walker: It's real positive. I think it shows how much deeper we are, how much more talented we are. Last year, if Geary and Jamelle combined for 12 points, I don't think were close to beating a team as talented as Virginia Tech. I think that's exciting for us. Once we get into the Big Ten, we know we have multiple players who can step up and try to win the game for us.

Q: What did you guys think of the crowd today?
Talor: Amazing
Jeff Brooks: Beautiful.
Mike: That was probably one of the best in four years that we've had here. I can't tell you what all these guys do for us to try and bring fans in. They go all over campus trying to get fans out and a night like this is what we want to get every night.

Q: Did you guys feel a little extra pressure, like this was an audition for the fans tonight?
Jeff Brooks: I think it gave us a better attitude. It made us step up to the plate and show the fans what we're here to do; win basketball games. We won tonight and I could see that the fans enjoyed it and they'll come back for more.  

Q: How does this compare to any crowd you played in front of before?
Jeff Brooks: It's more intensified. Everyone is more into the game. From high school you had your student section with 10 kids, but here you have 100 kids just screaming their brains out. It just makes the game so much more fun for both teams because it brings the best out of us.
Talor Battle: After coming off three losses, it was so helpful for us. Virginia Tech was coming off two losses to two ranked teams and we knew they were ready to play. I think that helped us. Even when they went on a run, the crowd stayed with us and we fed off of that. We made some big baskets. They helped us on the defensive end and I think that was key to our win tonight.

Q: How big were those three shots you made right in a row? Were you angry after missing that one?
Mike Walker: I can't tell you how angry it is. It's been a common theme. Sometimes I miss wide-open lay-ups like that. I don't know how it happens. In my mind I said, `You know, I'm a senior now and I said if I'm going to get ourselves into a situation like that, I'm going to get us out of it.'  Luckily those shots went in and we won. That's something that can't happen.

Q: Mike, those free throws at the end, was that just nerves?
Mike Walker: To be honest, I felt extremely confident. I can't tell you the last time I missed two free throws in a row. It's frustrating. The first one was in and out, and the second one was long. It's definitely frustrating. Again, we're deep this year. A guy like D.J. Jackson can step in, pick me up from the free throw line and we get the win.

VIRGINIA TECH HEAD COACH SETH GREENBERG

Opening Statement:
If someone told me that we would hold (Geary) Claxton and (Jamelle) Cornley to four points and eight points respectively, I probably would have thought we would have won the game. Mike Walker was a big part of our scouting report; I know it did not look that way. He did a better job of taking us off the dribble than maybe we expected. We did not do a good job on him. I thought we did a decent job rebounding the basketball-that was the focal point of our scouting report. I thought our kids did a terrific job on that. We just had too many empty possessions. We had back-to-back traveling calls just because we were not on balance. We were in position and had some good looks. I thought we checked a lot better in the second half than we did in the first half. Defensively, we were a little more disciplined, a little tougher. I was really pleased with Diakite. I thought he gave us good solid minutes. When they went to 1-3-1, we just did not do a good job of handling it. That is why we went to small line-up to get another ball-handler in the game against that defense. We have a chance to be a good team. We had guys that did positive things. We just need to be a little more disciplined in what we are trying to do in terms of shot selection. We need to be a little more diligent in terms of our defensive principles. We need to be more consistent with our effort. We played hard, but I think the hardest thing to teach young players is to understand that you've got to play every play. In the first 10 minutes of the game, they all contributed and did some positive things. We just have to get a little bit tougher.

Q: What happened in the last 40 seconds of the game?
A: We wanted to get a good shot. Malcom (Delaney) got a good look at it. We did not need a three at the time, we needed two. When Hank (Thorns) took the two, that was fine. That was a good decision. You don't have to make it all back in one shot, especially when (Jamelle) Cornley is on the floor. He is not a very good free throw shooter. Hopefully, you can put him on the line. He just missed a free throw prior to that and we got the ball back. Again, I think it is a little of our immaturity. I don't think we were as tough or as discipline in terms of understanding time score, shot, those types of things as we needed to be. That is not the reason we lost the game. We lost the game because we did not check in the first half and we were not as tough and committed to getting the right shot in the first half. In the second half, I thought we did a pretty good job of that.

Q: Would you have preferred for A.D. Vassallo to have the ball in his hands during that particular moment?
A: I have great confidence in Malcom (Delaney). Malcom can make shots.

Q: Talk about Deron Washington's first half.
A: He kept us in the game. Of the scouting report, he made two very, very good decisions. On cross screens, he stayed home. He came up with a steal and got ahead of the floor. Obviously, we wanted to sit on (Geary) Claxton's right hand as much as we could and Deron (Washington) does a great job of moving his feet and took some good charges. We just have to get him to play on balance. You can only fall down a certain number of times during the course of the game.

Q: Did the rough first half have anything to do with having to fly on Sunday?
A: We are not going to use our inexperience, our freshman, our schedule, or anything else as an excuse. Maybe Penn State made shots. You have to give them credit. Those kids are trying to win also. They played three games, and quite honestly, they played very well. If you watch their tapes, they played very well in Orlando. One play here and one play there, and that is what college basketball is today. If you look up and down scores every single day, it is not a big margin or error.

Q: Is Jeff Allen the most consistent player you have had in a long time?
A: I did not think he was very good today. He was not that consistent. He has a chance to be spectacular. But he has to be able to do a lot of little things a lot better. He has to be stronger with the ball and finish a little tougher. He did some very positive things. I expect him to average a double-double. If he doesn't do that, I don't think he played well. Today he had a double-double and he did not play as well as he is capable of playing. My expectations for him are very high.