Jan. 25, 2001

Head Coach Chris Denker
On Santa Clara's defense
"To be honest with you, I didn't think we played very well. We went zone, and we were able to get some stops late in the game and got some transition baskets. A couple of kids did a really good job rebounding during that sequence and we were able to put together a little stretch. In the long run, looking at the stats, we played a solid defensive game, but it wasn't where we wanted it to be."

Going to the Zone
"It was kind of a flow-of-the-game decision. Actually, an offensive factor caused us to do it. We wanted to go to our big lineup. They're too quick to guard that way. They're a little too quick for us off the dribble, were getting into the heart of the defense, getting pull-up jumpers, and so by us wanting to go big on offense, we had to change a little defensively and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise."

Impressions on Portland
"Jim (Sollars) has done a great job with them. It's unbelievable with the amount of injuries and adversity that they've had, what a great job he's done with them. They play really hard, they have to do some things differently because of their position situation, and yet they do it really well. They kind of made the game how they wanted it to be played and consequently, we had to decide what we were going to do. We knew that going in, but we didn't do a good job at adjusting early on. It's kind of hard to emulate to your kids how they're going to play. But that's a compliment to them. Portland makes you play that way.

"One of the things we felt was kind of hurting them a little bit down the stretch was that it looked like some of their kids were starting to get tired and maybe that was a factor. They're sort of forced to playing so many minutes."

On the Broncos at this point in the season
"Although it may not have looked like it tonight, I'm really happy with them. We've really done some good things. We're kind of playing shorthanded too, with our injuries, but kids are stepping up and doing big things for us... If I had to evaluate our season right now, at 13-4, 4-1 in the conference, I'm very happy. If you would have said that before the season, I would have taken it."