Jan. 16, 2003

MISSOURI HEAD COACH QUIN SNYDER on the Oklahoma State game: "We've got an incredible challenge ahead of us, going down to Oklahoma State. I think they're playing as well as anyone in the league, and they're playing the best defense of anyone in the country right now. To hold Oklahoma under 50 points is something you just don't see. So, we've got our work cut out for us."

on playing at Oklahoma State: "Any time they play at home they're playing with great energy. You don't find to many teams that go into (Gallagher-Iba Arena) and come away with victory, it's just that simple. That's why it's a tall order for us to go in there and knock them off. They just find a way to win there. If it's not the most difficult place to play in the league, it's right up there."

on Oklahoma State Guard Tony Allen: "When you have a team that is committed to defense and you add a new addition to that, he has the same level of pride in his defense that those other guys have on the perimeter. He has the ability to create offense, and I think that's one of the reasons they're playing so well right now. He's gives them another weapon on the floor."

on the addition of Guard Jason Conley to the program: "Right now, Jason is waiting on his physical and hasn't been able to practice yet. But, what he brings us right away is another guy to have in practice, and someone you really have to work on guarding. Sometimes when you're under-manned you can build bad habits in practice by letting down your guard on someone who isn't as big as an offensive threat. Also, I think it will help him in the long run to get him in and involved with our program and comfortable with our guys."

on the development of Forward Kevin Young: "Kevin has proven himself as someone you can put into the game with confidence, because you know what you're going to get. We've tried to start with some basic things - going in there and think about defending your man, defending your position and rebounding the ball. One of the things I'm really pleased to see is that he's able to play off penetration well because he has great hands. I think he will continue to get better defending and rebounding, and over time you'll see his offensive game start to develop as well."

Missouri Guard Rickey Paulding on playing at Oklahoma State: "It's a tough place to play, just as tough as Syracuse. They're coming off a tough win against Oklahoma. They have a tough place to play, and they play great defense. We're also a little short on guys, so there's a lot of things not going our way. We just have to be tough and play our game."

on facing OSU's defense: "You have to be strong with the ball. They play a very tough man-to-man defense, so you have to work and make sure you don't turn the ball over. If they try to plays us tough, then we'll try to drive and dump the ball in to A.J. or Travon (Bryant), and create some things that way.

Missouri Guard Ricky Clemons: on learning from losses: "We know what we're going into, and we're just going to keep learning. We learned from the Illinois game and we got better, and now we've learned from the Syracuse game. We're just going to keep coming, keep staying together and keep focused."

on Big 12 Conference games: "You know every game in the Big 12 is going to be tough. There are no cupcake games in this conference. Night in and night out is going to be tough, and you just have to stay focused and believe in your teammates. Right now we're a young team and we're still learning. But it's coming together and hopefully we can pull it together for a win at Oklahoma State."

Missouri Guard Jason Conley: on his decision to join the Missouri program: "When you make a big decision like this, you gain some and you lose some. So I had to sit down and figure out what I felt the pros and cons were. But, I feel like I'm gaining a lot by not only playing at a higher level but also playing with a good group of guys. I feel like I'll be playing at a higher level, and I've wanted to play in the NCAA Tournament my entire life. Now I feel like I'll have the chance because of these guys and the good coaches."

Missouri Center Arthur Johnson: on blocking out opposing fans: "I don't pay any attention. We've got a crazy bunch of fans here, too, that I hear talking to the other team. Any place you go it's like that, but I don't pay attention. I'm just trying to do whatever it takes to make them be quiet."