Mizzou vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith Quotes
11/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 12, 2010
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Mizzou Basketball Post Game Quotes
November 12, 2010 vs. Arkansas Fort Smith - Mizzou Arena
Final: MU 115, UAFS 74
Head Coach Mike Anderson
Opening Statement...
"You saw a game that was a tale of two halves. We came out with a different lineup, and as I told our guys, I'll take the blame for us getting off to a sluggish start. I put some guys out there, and the score was something like 4-2 three minutes into the game, and they were leading, so I'll take the blame for that. It comes down to the fact that we're a team that can score, but I think the thing will be if we can stop people. I thought you saw when we put the veteran group out there that they really got some things going in the right direction, and it started with our defense in the second half. Hats off to [Arkansas] Fort Smith, because they came out and took the fight to us early on. They were able to run their offense, but I thought fatigue became a factor and the depth of our bench was really a factor in our game. A contributing factor to the first half was also the Harris-Stowe game - we had a little hangover from that game. A lot of things went well for our guys [in that game], but Fort Smith really game in and put the fight to us. The only thing I was really concerned about was our sloppiness. I thought when we did go up we got sloppy with the basketball, turning the ball over because we were trying to do spectacular things instead of keeping it simple."
On Missouri's slow start...
"I thought that the energy level and effort [were the issues]. We're a team that's normally going to give you more than one effort - there's going to be a second, third, fourth and fifth effort, and I don't think you saw that tonight. There were a couple of times where they swung the ball and a guy just went backdoor and there was no one even around him. That happened a couple of times, so we missed our assignments. To me that's a lack of focus and a lack of effort and it's something we'll work on."
On the new starting lineup in the game...
"I think that's what the exhibition season is all about. You try different lineups and see who can do what in different situations, and it gives you an opportunity to do some teaching. Our team needs some teaching. We've got five guys who have never donned the Missouri jerseys until the last two games. They expect a lot of themselves, but I want them to take it one step at a time. What's going to be important is the leaders - guys like Justin Safford, Kim English, Marcus Denmon and Laurence Bowers. [Bowers] just continues to play unbelievable basketball. He's seeing the game in slow motion right now. It seems like he gets every rebound and he's around the ball all the time. He's been the recipient of a lot of easy baskets from penetrations from our guys, so he's finishing plays.
No. 11 Michael Dixon
Sophomore Guard - Kansas City, Mo.
On the team's approach to tonight's game...
"With our style of play, we can't take any opponent lightly. I'm excited to play any game, whether it's in practice or against an opponent."
On Coach Anderson removing his jacket in frustration...
"The jacket coming off means someone's in trouble. We weren't sure exactly who it was, but we knew we needed to give more effort."
No. 1 Phil Pressey
Freshman Guard - Dallas, Texas
On making the first start of his college career...
"I didn't know what to expect. Now I have a better idea of the kind of energy I need to bring at the beginning of the game."
On the importance of the game...
"Coach just told me to play my game. I was playing passive at first and he told me to be aggressive and try to create for my teammates on offense."
No. 21 Laurence Bowers
Junior Forward - Memphis, Tenn.
On the team's early performance...
"I think we came out flat. The first unit didn't really get going, but the second unit came in and brought some positive energy. Coach always tells us that the people who finish matter more than the people who start, so it's good to mix and match lineups early in the season."
On the team's mindset for an exhibition game...
"Tonight taught us that we can't take anyone for granted. We need to be prepared for every opponent and we can't overlook anyone just because we think that we're going to win."
On his statistical performance...
"I think my rebounds and assists matter more than my points. Coach wants us to spread the ball around. He doesn't care who scores, just that everyone gets involved."
