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Creighton Head Coach Greg McDermott
Opening Statement
"It is a heck of a win for us, at this stage of the season with this group of guys. To come on the road against a team as good as Nebraska and really execute our game plan almost to perfection. The offensive rebounds were not part of the plan, but other than that I really thought the guys dug in defensively. Pettaway is going to hit some and will make some tough shots and we were prepared to live with that. Our execution down the stretch just to stay patient and be who we are I thought was really good. We have three seniors who have beaten Nebraska four straight times and that hasn't happened often in our history. I am really proud of them given what we lost last year. This is their team now and our preparation this week was really really good. To come in with this crowd that really got into it a few times, but we found a way to respond each time that happened without having to burn a bunch of timeouts. I am very proud of my team. I obviously have great respect for Tim (Miles) and the job he does, we beat a heck of a basketball team tonight."
On playing in the atmosphere tonight
"I was really worried just trying to get through the first two TV timeouts. We did a good enough job early in the game. I think Nebraska only scored on three of their first 10 possessions and even though they led 7-5 at that point, we didn't throw any fuel on the fire to spark the crowd. So we were able to get through that. We have some veterans on this team. They are just inexperienced in the roles they are playing in right now. We obviously looked to Austin a lot on the floor to put some plays together in big moments. But this is an unbelievable win for us in front of this crowd. It is incredible to have to programs in this state to fill their arenas and their fans are so engaged in their basketball teams the way these two are."
On worrying about Shields alongside Pettaway
"I think Pettaway was taking 20 shots no matter what we did. Shields is obviously a little more choosey and efficient sometimes with his shot selection. So we just didn't want to give him rhythm, we wanted to plug up those lanes especially when he was going to that right hand where he is so good. But lets be honest, he missed a few that he normally makes. So to win a game like this, you need a little luck as well."
On the hype of this game tonight
"It is always significant when you beat Nebraska because they are our rival. I think it is the one game that all fans mark on their calendar. So that makes it fun. I think it is great that we were both NCAA tournament teams last year and we are both off to good starts this year. I think that is awesome for basketball in the state of Nebraska. But the thing that this group of guys was we hadn't found a way to get a win against a quality opponent on the road and we needed to check that off our list. I think there is something in the belief that you can actually do it. And had we lost a close game after how we played defensively that would have been a tough pill to swallow."
No. 1 Guard Austin Chatman
On following the game plan tonight:
"We just tried to keep the ball out of Pettaway and Shields hands and make the other guys score and I think we did a good job of that going into late in the second half."
On how to slow Pettaway down
"He is a guy there is not a lot you can do. He is going to hit tough shots. But you just kind of have to live with that and try and keep everybody else shut down. He is a great player. A lot of credit to him."
On also have Shields alongside Pettaway
"We just needed to take away his drive. He wanted to go to the rim a lot and that was a big key trying to clog up that lane and take away his right hand.
On the atmosphere tonight
"It was pretty tough. It felt like my freshman year when we played at San Diego State, everybody was jumping around, the floor was shaking a little bit, it was loud. We couldn't really hear Mac trying to call plays as much, it was a pretty tough environment."
No. 21 Guard Isaiah Zierden
On following the game plan tonight:
"I thought we did for the most part really well. We got away from it a little bit in the first half. But it was trying to clog gaps and make sure we were in the driving lanes and we were going to try and make them give it up. I thought in the first half we did a so-so job but in the second half we really did a good job."
On the defensive performance
"Well (vs. Oklahoma) we didn't follow the game plan there and the result showed. I thought we did a much better job today in the second half. I think we need to as a team realize we need to follow the scouting report a little bit better."