Feb. 8, 2000
On rebounding from the last Iowa State game: "Our team has a better idea about shot selection. I think we have demonstrated that in recent weeks. We have to figure out how to guard (Marcus) Fizer a little bit and make him work real hard for his baskets. Other players have to be ready to help. They hurt us in certain situations, particularly the pick and roll, offensive glass. There are a lot of little areas where we need to be better. I would not point to one thing and say that cost us the game. They just out-played us. I think we're a little better team than the last time, whether we are good enough to beat them I don't know, but I think we're a better team, they probably are too."
On the first Missouri vs. Iowa State game: "I don't know if that game was the catalyst, but it is an easy one to point to if you are looking at the record. We were coming off of our worst offensive effort against Winthrop. We were lacking in terms of confidence on the offensive end. But I think we have gotten better at that. We have Kareem (Rush) back who helps us offensively. We're getting more efficient in certain situations."
On the team's turnaround since the first ISU game: "I'm surprised. I would not have anticipated this run on this level. But I don't think losing three in a row and winning eight in a row are the best indicators of a team's actual situation. I still think we have to scratch and claw for everything we get. The way you get out (of a slump) is to keep working. This team has done that and that is why we have improved. That's why we've won. We've won because we've gotten better. Sometimes losing ahs a way of focusing on things that are important. Hopefully that occurred."
On Iowa State: "(Marcus Fizer) is a player of the year candidate, but I think their guards really make them go. Their guards were terrific against us last time. They really outplayed our guys. Our guys know that. Our guys are good too. Those three kids are really good players. You have to defend them and limit their open looks and try to keep (Jamaal) Tinsley out of the paint. There's no mystery to it. He makes everybody better."
On Larry Eustachy's comments about "fearing" Missouri: "Larry is a great coach and has done an unbelievable job with team. I have a lot of respect for what he has done. I don't know if anyone describing our team would say that fear would come to mind. We can be explosive when we are shooting the ball. If anything I think that is just recognition of that fact. We can get on a run now and then. We are now able to play through some kinds of adversity."
On impressions of the Big 12 Conference: "I didn't have a firm set of expectations. I don't have a frame of reference for comparison. Regardless, it's good basketball. Some teams are more physical than others, there's no question. To generalize about 12 teams is really hard. It's really tough to play on the road here. There is really good coaching, but I kind of knew that going in. Now it's confirmed. If I had to make one blanket statement, it ain't easy. You have to come every night out ready to play or you're going to get caught."
On the importance of playing on the home court: "Being at home this week. We get a lift playing at home. We're a young team that has gotten better on the road. If anyone had their choice, they would rather play at home. These are games that we'll hopefully be real competitive in and play well enough to win. We need to play well at home, no question. There's a premium placed on your home games."
On Kareem Rush and having him back in the lineup: "We have another player and that's kind of self evident. We are a better team with Kareem Rush than without him. He seems to be mature beyond his years in a lot of respects. He's a natural, scoring-wise. He can put the ball in the basket. He does it quietly because he is either demonstrative or just sticks it in. It's great to have him. He has been focused on being able to do other things in addition to scoring. He is a different type of player, relative to our perimeter guys."
On Brian Grawer: "Not only has his shooting gotten better, but his floor game is terrific. He shot the ball great (against Colorado) but he ran our team for the entire game. That to me is really impressive. Brian's playing real well right now and gaining in confidence. He deserves that."
On Keyon Dooling: "He is indispensable. His evolution as a player is directly correlated to our success. For him to be our catalyst both offensively and defensively...the guy gets the toughest assignment every night out. He guards the toughest player, he handles the ball the whole game, he is supposed to get everyone else the ball, and he has to rebound. He is asked to do a lot of things. He continues to learn and (form) habits. He has been a crucial element to any success we have had."
On the team: "I believe our kids have gotten better this year. We've had a chance to get better on a lot of levels. We really have focused on trying to get better individually."
On the momentum following the Nebraska game: "We scored but it was not that great of a (second) half. We were dragging. Some individual guys made huge plays down the stretch. You build on the ability to make plays. You have to do that on the road. I would hope that we will have a lot more life. We've had so much enthusiasm over the last few weeks. We are nearly out of enthusiasm. We had some of that energy yesterday. Any time you come into a big game you are going to have that. I would be surprised if both teams weren't excited to play."
On whether or not he and the team are having fun: "I think so. I hope so. I would hope that I could be really tough on them and create an environment that is still light enough where they can enjoy what they are doing. I think you perform better when you are in that frame of mind. You want to have a healthy mixture of seriousness and toughness. But I don't think those things are the antithesis of enjoying what you are doing. They love what they do. It's fun when you do what you set out to do. It's a sublime fun."