UCF-Detroit Postgame Quotes

Dec. 18, 2014

UCF head coach Donnie Jones
"I'm really proud of the team and how we bounced back. It seems like a really long time since we played our last game. Our team showed great heart tonight. I think one word that really sums up how we played tonight is heart."

"Detroit is a tough team. They came off an incredible game against Wichita State, where they led most of the game. For our team to come off our last game and play how we played tonight, I'm very happy. That's why we don't get too caught up in a loss or victory. It is all part of a bigger process. Our team worked extremely hard the past few days in practice and I am extremely proud."

"They came out and played the right way tonight. We had some good shots and that is because they played the right way and shared the ball. We are still searching for the right line-up for this team. As coaches we are still learning our players as well. Tonight was a great team victory."

"I'm really proud of Staphon [Blair] and how he played tonight. I think he was in a bit of a slump for a while. He tends to overthink things and he is very critical of himself, he is his own worst enemy at times. He is a great competitor. He came in with the right mindset and made some big free throws in the second half. It was probably his best effort of the season. He shot 100% tonight and I couldn't be more proud."

UCF junior Staphon Blair
"It mattered more to me that the team played well overall. We try not to focus on individual achievement too much. It was a team effort and we executed well. My teammates found me and helped to secure some good openings for me. I am going to try to keep this up for the rest of the season."

UCF freshman Adonys Henriquez
"I feel like as a team we became closer. After most teams lose a few games their players start to become distant and do their own thing. I feel like we addressed the issue and talked before hand, which helped us. We came out tonight with the mindset to just play. We weren't worried about the score or the fans, that didn't matter tonight. The only thing that mattered was playing the game to the best of our ability."