Postgame Quotes
3/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 8, 2002
Missouri Men's Quotes
Friday, March 8 / Kemper Arena / Kansas City, Mo
Head Coach QUIN SNYDER
On the loss to Texas:
"We came to the tournament focused and I felt like we lost that focus. Texas really jacks you up. They play great defense and our guys can't handle that right now."
On having control of the game:
"It didn't feel like a game that we were ever in a good place as a group."
JUNIOR FORWARD KAREEM RUSH
On this game and looking forward:
"The game is over. We should have had this win, but this tournament is over and we've got to look forward and look at the NCAA tournament."
On playing in Kemper for the last time:
"It was fun. I got to play like I wanted to, but I didn't get out with a win. I love playing here. It's been fun for years and if I come back next year I'm going to enjoy it in Dallas."
SOPHOMORE CENTER TRAVON BRYANT
On his improved play of late:
"The thing for me is to build on it, give all out effort. That will take my confidence to another level."
On the Tigers' poor free-throw shooting:
"When you come out of the gate slowly you've got to make your free-throws and we couldn't knock them down tonight."
SOPHOMORE GUARD RICKY PAULDING
On the Tigers' NCAA hopes:
"I look for us to be in the Tournament. That's all I care about right now. It's a great feeling to see your team selected for the Tournament."
JUNIOR GUARD JUSTIN GAGE
On the Tigers' start:
"We came out sluggish and that put us at the bottom of the hill and it was too steep to come back."
On what it will take to win games in the NCAA Tournament:
"Our backs are against the wall and we'll have that on our minds. I expect us to play our hearts out."
Texas Men's Quotes
Saturday, March 9 / Kemper Arena / Kansas City, Mo.
Head Coach RICK BARNES
On the game:
"I thought the start of the game we played really well. We got great effort from the entire bench."
"We had some time off this week and that was good for the team, but is was bad for T.J. We have really developed a confidence for our bench."
"Missouri is an extremely explosive team and Quin has done a great job this year. They are real young team with a lot of talent, we just made big plays when we had to."
" Our offense really bogged down towards the end of the half and that almost put us behind. We wanted to make their perimeter guys guard so we started to get a little impatient."
On T.J. Ford:
T.J. is fine. He isn't the type to talk about his injury or discuss when he is in pain but he really is fine. It was hard for him to pick up on a game this intense."
FRESHMAN GUARD T.J. FORD
His thoughts on the game:
"We just came out and had a lot of fun. We fought hard for 40 minutes and my injury did not bother me."
On playing Oklahoma:
"I think it will be a lot of fun because both teams enjoy playing one another. We have a lot of friends out there on the team and it should be fun playing them. So everyone should come out and enjoy the game."
On a quick starting first half:
"We just stuck to the game plan. We came out tough, we pushed the ball and we were able to get easy baskets."
On preparing for the game:
"I just tried to be relaxed and got out and focus on the game. It's something I've been doing all my life."
"It's really tough to think about what someone like Alan Iverson goes through. With 82 games a year and the amount of minutes he plays per game. I just try to think about the commitment it takes to play this game. He has great endurance.
SENIOR FORWARD BRANDON MOUTON
On containing Missouri's long range shooters:
"Missouri has great shooters and all we did was try to contain them. Our guards fought off screens and picks and we made them work hard for their shots."
