Mizzou Basketball Post Game Quotes
12/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2010
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Mizzou Player Quotes
Ricardo Ratliffe
On Missouri's rebounding effort...
"We just made sure that we put a body in there. We knew that was a really good rebounding team so we had to be physical, make sure we hit people. Even if we couldn't get the rebound, we had to make sure our man didn't get the rebound. We tried to tip it out to one of the guards and start the break."
Matt Pressey
On being more assertive
"As a team he talked to us (about having) a sense of urgency, for the whole team, and I really picked it up on defence, which, you know, really helped my offense. And then early on in the game I tried to really assert myself. I think it comes down to (the fact that) I found my reads and gaps and things like that."
On the rebounding...
"Coach emphasized the guards rebounding a lot more. And going against bigger teams like this, especially teams like Old Dominion who rebound a lot, you're going to need your guards to really help. I felt like we did a great job of rebounding from the guard position, which helps our bigs so that helps us out a lot."
On their last non-conference game...
"We're ready. We come at it with this sense of urgency that we've carried out all the way from the Illinois game up until now."
Marcus Denmon
On the ease of the win...
"I guess that's what you get when you just keep working hard and I feel that we're a good team and we went out there and I think we were hungry for this win. Coach did a good job getting us ready and telling us how good Old Dominion was. Just telling us that they're a really good ball club and they've got a lot of older guys, but so do we. I mean we just came out and executed and when you're at home and you're playing as well as we play, that's what happens."
On the defensive effort...
"I don't think it's the first time this year. The way we play our defense, it does a lot every game. It doesn't just stop there (with steals)."
Old Dominion Head Coach Blaine Taylor
Opening Statement...
"Hats off to them. They played a whale of a game. I tried to be as complimentary to Mike [Anderson] and his players as I could when I was shaking their hands. They're a good team and they played a good game. I think we had some thoughts coming in that we could make a better game of it. I think we had a few chances here and there to tighten it down, but it seemed like every time that happened they seemed to have an answer with a three-pointer or a series of plays that kind of broke any momentum we could get together. It was a nice crowd and a nice environment. I really compliment Mike on playing us home and home. We're looking forward to next year. I think they put on a good show for the home fans and they're going to be fun for people to follow this year. I don't know the Big 12 like the back of my hand but I'd sure think they'll be stout contenders in that league race. Like us they're closing the books on non-conference stuff. From our standpoint, we played a really strong schedule and have beaten some good teams. We lost to some very fine teams in Georgetown and Missouri. Our cause is to turn to the conference race and then hopefully do well enough that we get a chance at these kind of competitors another time."
On the lack of rebounding by his team...
"Sometimes when you're good at something you can have a tendency to take it for granted. On the other hand, when your opponent knows you're good at something, that's going to be the thing they work on. Mike railed in on his guys and we had a hard time getting any rebounds in on the offense. Their guys would come flying in over our shoulders. We like to guard better than that, and we think we usually have a good reputation on the glass. We didn't guard enough tonight, and when we got behind on rebounds, that was really when they started to get their lead. They shot 56 percent in the second half and we had 11 turnovers, so you've really got to give credit where credit is due."
On Marcus Denmon and Missouri's depth...
"I think he has a good range and a lot of confidence. The thing you have to consider is that he's not the only scorer on this team... Missouri has a lot of double figure scorers. Denmon was being guarded by some good defenders of ours. To have other guys come in, and to have Michael Dixon do what he did makes it hard for us. How many 15 point games has Matt Pressey had... two? Lucky us, I guess. I am very impressed with Denmon, but also the other weapons this team has."
