Crean, Players Preview NIT and Georgia Tech
3/13/2017 6:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - As the Hoosiers get ready to travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech in the first round of the NIT on Tuesday (9 p.m., ESPN), Coach Crean and select players provided some thoughts on the game:
Indiana head coach Tom Crean
"Georgia Tech has had an outstanding year. As most people know Brian Gregory and I have a long-lasting friendship, but I also have a strong friendship with Josh Pastner and Julian Schwartz. As impressive this season has been, I am even more respectful and thankful as a coach that Josh has credited Brian for the foundation he laid with the program. Josh has always been wiser than his years and now he is not just an outstanding young coach but an outstanding coach."
"Georgia Tech has gotten better all year long. Their defense is outstanding in the way they switch defenses and put pressure on passing lanes and force you into tough spots."
"We have to have great ball movement and cutting, because last thing that you want to do is stand around on offense.
"Offensively, their off-ball cutting is a real weapon and we have to do a great job in being in a stance on and off the ball, as well as handling the rebounding."
Robert Johnson
On playing in the NIT:
"It doesn't matter what tournament it is, we just have to focus on what is next and keep on getting better."
On Georgia Tech:
"I know they have one of the best defenses in the country and we have to move the ball and limit our mistakes.
De'Ron Davis
On getting an NIT bid:
"We are happy to play in whatever tournament we are put into. We will continue to get better every day and take it day by day."
On Georgia Tech:
"Their inside guys are very active and will battle you. We have to do a great job of getting our position and keep them off the glass."
Josh Newkirk
On getting an NIT bid:
"I feel like we are playing real good. Whatever we get, we are going to take advantage of and make the most of it. I think that it will definitely help us."
"We just want to continue to play. We have to come into practice and have a positive mindset and move forward."
On Playing Against the ACC (Newkirk first played at Pitt)
"It's good to have some familiarity. I know they have been especially tough on their home court. We have to be sharp from the start."
Indiana head coach Tom Crean
"Georgia Tech has had an outstanding year. As most people know Brian Gregory and I have a long-lasting friendship, but I also have a strong friendship with Josh Pastner and Julian Schwartz. As impressive this season has been, I am even more respectful and thankful as a coach that Josh has credited Brian for the foundation he laid with the program. Josh has always been wiser than his years and now he is not just an outstanding young coach but an outstanding coach."
"Georgia Tech has gotten better all year long. Their defense is outstanding in the way they switch defenses and put pressure on passing lanes and force you into tough spots."
"We have to have great ball movement and cutting, because last thing that you want to do is stand around on offense.
"Offensively, their off-ball cutting is a real weapon and we have to do a great job in being in a stance on and off the ball, as well as handling the rebounding."
Robert Johnson
On playing in the NIT:
"It doesn't matter what tournament it is, we just have to focus on what is next and keep on getting better."
On Georgia Tech:
"I know they have one of the best defenses in the country and we have to move the ball and limit our mistakes.
De'Ron Davis
On getting an NIT bid:
"We are happy to play in whatever tournament we are put into. We will continue to get better every day and take it day by day."
On Georgia Tech:
"Their inside guys are very active and will battle you. We have to do a great job of getting our position and keep them off the glass."
Josh Newkirk
On getting an NIT bid:
"I feel like we are playing real good. Whatever we get, we are going to take advantage of and make the most of it. I think that it will definitely help us."
"We just want to continue to play. We have to come into practice and have a positive mindset and move forward."
On Playing Against the ACC (Newkirk first played at Pitt)
"It's good to have some familiarity. I know they have been especially tough on their home court. We have to be sharp from the start."
Players Mentioned
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