Postgame Quotes - Northwestern State
12/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 2, 2011
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Mizzou vs. Northwestern State Quotes
Coach Frank Haith
(Opening Remarks)
"I felt like we had a really good performance. We came out with a lot of energy and set the tone early. Obviously this is the first time in a while where we had a few days off before the game and we had a chance to get our legs underneath us. You could see our guys really execute well at the start of the ball game. And there are a lot of great numbers in this game, but the one that stood out the most is 50 points in the paint. And even though we shoot the ball well, balance is extremely important for us, especially in our ability to play inside out. The paint production is really important to our success."
(On the crowd tonight)
"I'd like to say that our fans were outstanding tonight. Our student section was unbelievable tonight, and having that sixth man is really nice to have. Obviously one reason I'm here is because of the passionate fan base we have here. And they were here tonight, and even stayed until the end, which is extremely impressive."
(On upcoming game versus Villanova)
"It's a big game. But I don't want our guys to put more on that game because, while it is an important game on our schedule, it's only important because it is our next game. I know it's got a lot of excitement because a lot of them haven't been to New York or played at Madison Square Garden. It is a neat place and so I'm sure they will be extremely excited about the opportunity."
(On being on a national stage in NYC)
"I think it's important for our program. We want to be a championship team and when you play on the national scene you have the opportunity to put the Mizzou brand out there. We had that opportunity in the CBE Classic and showed well, and now we have another opportunity on Tuesday evening."
(On the hot start early on in the season)
"Well I want to be 7-and-0. We aren't taking 7-and-0 for granted. We are excited about where we at, but we know there is room for us to grow. We teach that, `yes we are 7-0, but there is still a level we can get to.' I think the reason we are 7-0 is because they have bought in and they see some positives from buying in. And now we can't become complacent because that sets you up for disaster."
On hitting a career-high 28 points...
"My teammates were finding me in open spots. I take those shots every day in practice. I continue to work on them, and tonight they were falling for me."
On their seamless passing game...
"I feel the coaching staff does a good job of putting people in positions where they can be effective. When you're out there and you're executing on the offensive end, it's easy to play that way. So it's something we work on, and we just continue to work and get better."
On where the team ranks in the Big12...
"The only thing we can control is the way we play right now. None of the Big 12 stuff really matters. That matters when conference play starts. But we just continue to work on the things that we can control."
On the team's 7-0 start...
"We've done some things well but we're still a hungry group. I feel that us starting off 7-0 is good but it's something we want to build on as a team. It's nothing something that we're satisfied with."
On feeding off the crowd...
"We try to make it where the crowd can feed off of us but it was definitely good seeing a lot of students and a lot of fans there early and loud."
On Mike Dixon's career-high 19 points...
"I told Mike, `just let the game come to him.' The offense we run and the game we play, everyone's going to be successful from it because when we're sharing the ball and moving, your shots are going to come. And the shots came. Mike has a really good work ethic, he works on shots every day."
On playing in the national spotlight in New York City next week...
"The Garden obviously is one of the biggest basketball venues to play in in the world, and it's something that we're looking forward to. We've got to get back in practice tomorrow and for the next couple of days, and we look forward to playing a good Villanova team."
Junior guard Michael Dixon
On his shooting...
"I feel like the drives I took presented themselves. We haven't really played a team that's pressed us, so when I would look up the floor as the ball was coming back to me, I would see a big man in my way, and I would know that I could use my speed and quickness to get by him and get to the basket."
On being 7-0...
"Coach Haith was telling us that we need to take one game at a time, and I feel like as a unit, that's what we've been doing. And 7-0 is good and all that, but it doesn't really mean anything. We've got to get ready for a real good, similar team to us."
Senior forward Ricardo Ratliffe
On pulling his shots closer to the basket...
"I just commend the guards because they find me in places I can score real easy. Like when they penetrate and my man moves over, I've got a layup. So I just try to have my hands ready because I know they're coming in there and looking for me, and just try to finish every chance I get."
On his 10-for-11 shooting...
"I think it's just confidence. I just believe I can make every shot, so I just try to do that."
On having so many shot opportunities early in the game...
"They look for me at practice, so I expect them to look for me in the game, and they've been doing that."
