Mizzou/Niagara Post-Game Quotes
11/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 17, 2011
#24 Mizzou 83, Niagara 52
Recap |
Box Score |
Notes |
AP Photo Gallery 
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Photo Gallery
Full Game 
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Press Conference
| 1 | 2 | F | Rec | |
| Niagara | 22 | 30 | 52 | 1-1 |
| #24 Mizzou | 45 | 38 | 83 | 3-0 |
Team Comparison |
NIAG |
MIZ |
| FG Made-Attempted | 20-58 | 25-53 |
| FG Percentage | 34.5 | 47.2 |
| 3FG Made-Attempted | 5-26 | 12-22 |
| 3FG Percentage | 19.2 | 54.5 |
| FT Made-Attempted | 7-10 | 21-29 |
| FT Percentage | 70.0 | 72.4 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 39 |
| Assists | 6 | 16 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 7 |
| Blocks | 4 | 2 |
| Steals | 3 | 13 |
| NIAG | Stat Leaders | MIZ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green/Mason | 10 | Points | 22 | Denmon |
| 2 With | 5 | Rebounds | 7 | 2 With |
| 2 With | 2 | Assists | 5 | P. Pressey |
| Mason | 2 | Steals | 5 | P. Pressey |
| Mason | 2 | Blocks | 1 | 2 With |
Missouri Players
Marcus Denmon, Senior Guard
On his three-point shooting:
"It wasn't easy, but when you're moving the ball collectively as a team and you have shooters taking good shots, the percentages you make will go up. We try to get good shots and make good passes to set up our inside-out game."
On teaming with Kim English to attack Niagara's defense from behind the arc:
"We put in a lot of work during the week, so I know that any of my teammates can step out and hit long shots. The better shot you take, the better chance you have of making it. My teammates help me by making shots when I don't have a good look."
On his aggressive play this season:
"Whatever my team needs from me, that's what I'll do. We can pressure people with our quickness since we have four guards. It's not something I focus on, but preparation is key."
On the Tigers' three-point shooting:
"We have to take the shots the defense gives us. We work on our outside shooting for countless hours every week, and whatever the defense presents us each time down court, that's what we're ready and prepared to do. Marcus really had it going in the first half, and if they're going to leave him open, we'll continue to find him. He played an amazing game."
On playing against Niagara's defense:
"They're a good team, but we're smaller with four guards out there. Defenses have to pick their poison. You'd rather have your opponents shooting 18-footers than layups, and the shots went our way tonight."
On regaining his confidence on the court:
"I'm feeling more comfortable. We're really clicking as a unit, and that comes from preparation all week. It makes the games fun, and we showed tonight how well we can play when we play together for 40 minutes."
On playing tougher competition next week in Kansas City:
"The goal's 10 feet, the court's still 94 feet. We're excited, but it's still basketball."
On the team's shooting tonight:
"Coach talks to us all week about taking good shots. When a team comes out in a zone defense, we can take good shots from outside. We know we can knock them down, so we'll keep shooting."
Missouri Tigers Head Coach Frank Haith
Topic: Opening Comments
First off, I thought we played very well tonight. I thought the first half we came out and shot the ball very well. They started in a zone; I thought our guys shared the ball well. We didn't turn the ball over very much in the first half--I think we only turned it over three times. We had good shots. I thought it was the best game we played this year. Nobody really was hunting shots. We allowed our offense to get us shots--that was encouraging to see to play 40 minutes like that. Our defense was really very good. Particularly there in the second half, which we came out and made an emphasis on to completely play a 40-minute game with solid D, and I think we did that here tonight.
Topic: Was this game the best game of the year for Kim English?
I think Kim's playing very well. I think he had his best game thus far last game, but he's been consistent. If you look at our three regular season games, I think he has been very consistent in his play. I'd like to harp on one thing about the three-point shot. We have to hang our heads on one thing and that's defending. That's just what we've got to do. There's going to be games where we're not going to make shots. With the law of averages that's just going to happen. But our guys focus is what it needs to be. If you listen to them, if they continue to take open shots they're going to shoot a good percentage and that's going to be great. We need to make sure we defend. The numbers that I look at and I'm excited about is we're plus five on the boards and they shot below 35% from the floor. You're going to win a lot of ball games when you do that.
Topic: What do you want your team to focus on with Notre Dame?
Just continue to get better and enjoy the moment and stay in the present and that's what we're trying to do all year. Tonight was about Niagara and our preparation for the next couple days will be about Notre Dame. I don't want our guys to think one game is bigger than another.
Topic: Do you think this team is taking a lot less risks this year?
We have to continue to grow because when you play teams and you get up on them and you make those plays, momentum swings and that's what I want our team to understand.
Topic: Phil Pressey's play so far...
He's been terrific. He just affects the game. His quickness and anticipation helps him a lot. I think he's playing at a high, high level.
