Mizzou-Kansas State Post Game Quotes
1/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2010
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Missouri Quotes
Head Coach Mike Anderson
Opening Statement...
"The three words I can use to describe this game are guts, guts, and guts. I just thought our guys played with guts--they refused to lose. We always talk about the second half being a half that can hopefully be ours. I thought our guys really kind of strapped it on and buckled down and made some plays. Kansas State came in with a high ranking, and I think deservingly so, and I thought we just had a little more gas in the tank at the end. We were able to make plays going down the stretch. I thought our defense was very good. That was a great ballgame--I thought the nation got a chance to really see the Big 12, and those were two great basketball teams. It's unfortunate that one team had to lose and one team had to win, but I'm just glad we won."
On the Tigers' senior leadership...
"I think this is a year about leadership and ownership. You talk about guys like JT Tiller, Zaire Taylor, and even Keith Ramsey. Keith isn't as quiet as he looks. Those guys in the background actually really visit with the younger guys. They talk about their experiences, and especially those in conference play. It's something I expect out of those guys. The baton was passed from DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons, Mike Jr., and Matt Lawrence. When adversity takes place, you've got to have some confidence. You talk about those guys coming in here as one of the better rebounding teams in the country, and so for us to get 14 offensive rebounds against them--and not one of them was bigger than the one Bowers got for us at the end. On top of that, he knocked the free throws down. I could see it in their eyes--our guys refused to lose."
On the team's ability to build upon the win...
"I think we're a team that's a work in progress. I think we're improving, and I think the strength of our team is in our guards. When you start a team with guards, especially the caliber of guards that we have, I think they take that leadership role and ownership. It makes a big difference. I think they learned a lot last year, but we're a team that's a work in progress. I think when you win, you gain confidence, and our guys gained some confidence tonight."
On the magnitude of today's win...
"I think it was just as big a game for them. All games are big in conference play--you're trying to win a championship. In order to have a chance, you've got to defend the home turf. That's something we did well last year, but that has nothing to do with this year. I thought the fans were great, and they kind of gave us the opportunity to gut it out and find a way to win. You've got to defend the home turf, and hopefully we can steal some wins on the road."
Missouri Player Quotes
Senior Guard Zaire Taylor
On the game...
"I just want to say I don't know if you all can appreciate how intense and physical that game was. I think both teams fought hard. I know I'm going to feel it tomorrow in practice."
On conference games...
"There's nothing like conference play and playing against K-State adds to it. They are a physical team and one of the better rebounding teams. It was a great win. It was a great chance for us to show that we can be physical as well."
On being nervous when the team wasn't making shots in the second half ...
"You don't have time to think, maybe other than on the free throw line. It's natural, like you're a kid in the park again. Early in the game you may jitters and be like: wow this is the first conference game. But at the end of the game you don't have time to think you've got to make plays."
On what the win means...
"It shows we can beat some of the better teams in the conference when we come to play. It shows that we have to come play everyday because we could lose to other teams in the country as well."
On fans...
"I want to give a big shout out to our fans. In a big game like this, it really benefited us."
On getting the big shot...
"They are a physical team. It just maneuvered and got in the right spot and got the ball. It just so happened that I got fouled. I needed to get a big play for the team."
On physicality of the game...
"By far that was the most physical game we've played this season. Both teams had a lot of turnovers. It was a war."
On not making field goals for a period of time in second half...
"Mentally what we try to do is feed off our defense since we weren't making buckets. We just tried to keep digging in with our defense and gets stops."
On physicality of the game...
"I think it was one of the most physical games we've played in as well. You have to give credit to K-State, Coach Martin had his team playing hard as well. I think we need to clean up a bit. We had a lot of people in foul trouble. We just tried to keep our head in the game and keep our composure."
On conference win...
"It was important to get a fresh start in the Big 12 Conference which is one of the best conferences in the country. To come out and be able to get a big win in conference play, it gets momentum going, it's a big win. We're working hard for it everyday."
