12/29/2009 - Duke Sports Information

Senior Jon Scheyer

"When we share the ball like that, we'll have some good opportunities.  I don't think we even shot as well as we could've with the amount of good looks that we got.  If we shoot shots like that, we'll be successful on offense when we take open looks."

"It's about our defense.  We just have to have that killer instinct and put people away.  Give them credit too because they didn't go away and hit some big shots.  They're a tough team.  But for us, we just need to not relax and it'll come."

On the performance after the holiday break:

"There are a few things we've lost a little bit on defense, just some principles.  We left some three point shooters and we could've rebounded a little better, but those things will come.  Obviously, we have two big games coming up and we need to get ready for those."

"I've found some moments throughout the year and have found some things that just give me motivation - people saying I can't do this or can't do that, whatever it might be.  That just keeps me going, and I'm just going to keep working hard."

On Brian Zoubek:

"He's tough inside.  He's a beast.  For us, especially with ACC play, we need him to play like that.  He's so reliable inside with rebounding and protecting our basket, so we know what he's going to bring to us and we know how we can rely on him.  He's always been tough, but I think he knows what he can and can't do.  You don't see him getting travelling calls or moving screens - that's just him playing with intelligence.  He's a really smart player.  He'll bang and gives us that physical presence inside."

Senior Brian Zoubek:

On Duke's blocked shots:

"We just put an emphasis on protecting the basket, whether that was taking charges or [blocking shots].  A couple of them weren't there today in terms of taking charges, but the blocked shots were.  We're a little bigger than they are and were protecting the lane.  We did a good job of it tonight."

On his extended playing time in the game:

"I don't know how long it was, but it felt pretty long, especially at the end of the game when the seconds seemed longer.  It felt good though.  It's definitely nice to be out there.  I think you just stick with the players that are playing well.  I was having a good night, and we were clicking out there, that group was, and if something is going well, you just stick with it."

Junior Nolan Smith:

"I'm happy with any win, pretty or ugly.  I just love to win.  As a team, we know there are things we can do to get better.  We have Penn, which will be our next game to get ready for the ACC, and we need to go out there and really turn it up more than we did tonight.  Going into Sunday (vs. Clemson), we have to be ready."

On the upcoming matchup with Penn and the possibility of looking past them to the ACC opener Sunday vs. Clemson:

"You can't overlook anybody.  Being a college basketball fan, you see upsets all the time.  Those kids are a D-1 school, so they can come out and hit 30 three's out of the blue.  They can come out and be amazing.  We have to approach them as if we're playing a team like Clemson or Georgia Tech and just dominate them."