Mizzou Basketball Post Game Quotes
2/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2011
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POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH Mike Anderson
Opening Statement...
"Marcus Denmon was in a rhythm tonight on offense, and I thought we needed that because we weren't getting much production from our forwards. Marcus did a good job of moving and attacking the basket. Texas Tech is a team that won't go away, and they capitalized on our mistakes to stay in the game."
On the Tigers' balance...
"We needed everybody to pitch in tonight, because I thought we came out flat. Texas Tech had nothing to lose, and they played hard. Steve Moore had a big impact defensively, and we were able to ratchet up the tempo when we needed to."
On Ricky Kreklow...
"You could see the impact he had on the team. His shots were falling tonight, and he always brings a blue-collar mentality to the game. Our bench brought a lot of intensity that helped us to wear down Texas Tech."
On Justin Safford...
"Justin brought a lot on defense, and he played with a sense of urgency. Seniors are great to have because they lead by example. He did a great job to support the younger guys when we were going through those tough stretches. Ricardo (Ratliffe) and Laurence (Bowers) struggled tonight, so it was good to have production from our bench."
On the Tigers' three-point shooting...
"We moved the basketball well tonight, and we did a good job to take selective shots. Texas Tech hung around because they stayed poised, but our shooting helped us get over the top and earn a win."
Missouri Player Quotes
On scoring his 1000th point...
"It felt good because we won, but it wasn't what I was shooting for. It just happened because I went out there and played a good game."
On his play in the second half as opposed to the first...
"I was trying to be a little more passive in the second half, because I felt like I could help get some other guys involved. On a team like ours we are all really unselfish and it can be anyone's night on our team. A lot of teams around the country just have one player, and if you can key on him you can shut them down. With us you can't do that."
On his improved play over the last two outings...
"Through practice and in film I've just been watching and observing, trying to see what I've been doing that hasn't been working. I've been working on slowing down and not looking too far ahead, and I think that's really helped me the last couple of games."
On finally making that banked-trey against OU...
"It was definitely one of the luckier shots I've ever taken, but it was a relief to finally see one go in. Even without that I think it was the preparation that got me going."
Michael Dixon
On Texas Tech hanging around...
"Coach called it a little wake up call. They have a couple of real shifty, good guards, and they play with a lot of guards. They saw the ball go through the hole early and that can give you as much confidence as you need."
On the next game at Iowa State...
"It's the biggest game of the season because it's the next game. Our coaching staff, and us as a team, like to take everything one game at a time. Anybody can beat anybody on any given night so we've got to strap it up and be ready."
Texas Tech Head Coach Pat Knight
Opening Statement:
"I was proud of the way my guys competed. They didn't give up...
they didn't give up at all. It's a tough place to play just from an atmosphere standpoint, and their style of play, so I was proud of my guys. They never got down even when Missouri got the lead a few times on us, so I was really proud of the way they fought and battled through to the end."
On guarding Marcus Denmon and Kim English...
"We didn't do a good job in the first half. [Denmon] had 18 [points] at the half, and then we changed our defensive philosophy and really paid attention to him in the second half. The problem is going to be, if teams start looking at Denmon too much, then English is going to have some big games and vice versa. I think you've got to kind of pick your poison and take a chance. We kind of played it straight up in the first half and Marcus hurt us, so we changed, but they're versatile. If you focus on one or two guys, they've got a couple of other guys that can step up."
On whether he would have liked to slow Missouri down...
"Yeah, but how are you going to do that? You can't, so you've got to go with it. Everyone tries to slow it down against them, but then gives up easy buckets. We missed three layups in the second half and missed free throws. We had all the chances we needed, but I don't think there's any way you can slow their game up. I wish we could, but we can't."
