Mizzou Men's Basketball
NCAA Selection Show Quotes
Head Coach Cuonzo Martin
Opening Statement…
“I am happy for our guys, our staff and our families. Anytime you work hard and get yourself into the NCAA Tournament, it is a great thing. It is great for the university. A lot of people play a part in the success of the program. I am happy for the state of Missouri. These are good times. There is still work that needs to be done, but it is a great feeling. I am really just overjoyed for our players. From the time I first looked our guys in the eye to now there has been so much growth. There is a feeling of appreciation for this moment that I have as a coach and as a father. It is a good feeling.”
On what he will tell his team which has no members that have played in the NCAA Tournament before…
“Just enjoy it. Life is what it is. Appreciate what life has to offer. I told our guys that no matter what happens, you’ll be the team that got to turn it around. So just enjoy it and play hard. Make sure to learn from our last game. In these types of settings, it is great because you don’t really know your opponent. Just really for our guys on the floor, I don’t say anything that I haven’t already said. I am not going to make it more than what it has been.”
On Michael Porter Jr. heading into tournament play and his debut against Georgia…
“He practiced today and he was fine. It doesn’t matter to me how many shots you take, its more about catching and shooting the ball in rhythm. I didn’t have any problems with the shots he took. I didn’t think he was forcing shots. I just thought our offense was stagnant because we had guys in foul trouble and some uncharacteristic lineups out there. Having to play the three and the four can be tough. There is a difference.”
On Mizzou’s first round opponent Florida State…
“Length, athleticism and toughness. They have good guard play and good bigs. Always seems like they have three guys that are over seven feet tall, which is unbelievable. They make you work for baskets. They stretch you out, and it is not easy to score around the rim. They will mix it up on you, but they are always one of the better defensive teams every year.”