Mizzou Head Coach and Player Quotes
11/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2007
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Mizzou Head Coach Mike Anderson Quotes:
On Missouri's 87-76 season-opening victory over Central Michigan:
"The first game is always the toughest game, especially in a tournament format. Let's credit Central Michigan and Coach Zeigler; they would not go away. We had opportunities to distant ourselves...but their kids would not go away."
On Leo Lyons stepping up his game after DeMarre Carroll's foul trouble:
"It was good to see Leo show up in the second half. In the second half, I thought he played with a little more passion and energy, even from a defensive standpoint. You can see he is very, very talented, but that's something he has to get consistent. But it was good to see him step up."
On the debut of DeMarre Carroll, who scored a game-high 23 points and eight rebounds:
"He showed flashes of things he can do for our basketball team. He had eight rebounds in the first half; if he's not in foul trouble, there's a double-double. But his energy is contagious with our basketball team."
On Missouri's next opponent, Fordham:
"I got a chance to see them play a little bit; they are a very good basketball team. They are very physical...they are an attacking team. Their guard play is very good. I have known [Fordham's coach] for a while and this is a team that he really likes. We have a quick turnaround...we just finished a game...we need to make sure [our players] get some rest and get ready for tomorrow."
Mizzou Player Quotes
Missouri Forward DeMarre Carroll
On the excitement of playing his first regular season game
"Yeah, it was a totally different game than exhibition. I had some jitters; you could see at first, I missed a couple open shots. I slowed down and then found a rhythm."
On three-point shots and what coach told you to do or not to do
"I was wide open; he said that's what they were baiting you to do, to shoot the three. They were baiting me and Leo to shoot the three; to take shots that we are not used to taking. In my head I was thinking I'm wide open so I'm going to take them. He [Coach Anderson] settled me down and I got back into my game."
On Leo taking his spot in second half
"I told him you're the biggest guy on the court. you're the most skilled guy on the court. You can take over or we can lose our first game. Everyone would be looking at me and Stefhon like we lost the game, but in all honesty its going to be you."
Missouri Forward Leo Lyons
Stepping up to DeMarre Carroll's personal challenge to him
"I would put the same thing on him. If he's playing good then I would say the same thing about him."
On the second half with Carroll on the bench
"Yes, like I said he was hot; I have to go ahead and take his spot. When he was sitting down I had to get everyone else involved because that's something he would do. He's the floor leader; so I had to take his spot."
On coach's half time talk
"We were just playing real safe, we weren't attacking at all. Some guys were playing like the game was already over, but we had to get back and start attacking again."
