March 24, 2005

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South Carolina vs. Georgetown
March 24, 2005
NIT Quarterfinals
Colonial Center, Columbia, SC

Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson, III

“I think that South Carolina just played much better in the second half. The crowd got into it, and their players picked it up emotionally. They did a tremendous job. We had open looks and lay-ups that were blocked. They just picked up their enthusiasm and energy.

It’s disappointing to lose how we lost. It disappointing for this group of guys to have their season end. We lost to a very good team. They are well-coached. They’re a team that made plays when they had to make plays.

At the start of the second half, we gave up a couple of quick baskets and had two shots blocked and the tide of the game changed.”

South Carolina Head Coach Dave Odom

“What a three-game stretch we’ve had. We certainly haven’t faced any bad teams during this stretch. With all due respect to the other teams we’ve faced this year, Georgetown is as well-coached as any team we’ve seen this year. Coach Thompson has done a miraculous job of putting in his system in a short period of time. They were very good. We beat a very good and very well-coached team. I thought we played hard in the first half, but we didn’t play very smart. We addressed that at halftime. I give our coaching staff a lot of credit for that. Tre’ Kelley played with a lot of heart. He’s getting a better feel for the game. I don’t know if we could have won this game without Antoine Tisby. Of course, you can’t go much further without mentioning Carlos Powell. What a great leader and great player he has proven to be. Any time you are playing the last week of the season and you are playing in the world’s most famous arena; that’s something else. I’m proud for our team.”