Mizzou head coach Kim Anderson
(Opening statement)
"First of all, we talked with our guys to prepare for this game about how Tennessee plays. The impressive thing about them is how hard they play. It’s not that they’re particularly big, but they play really hard. I thought we didn’t match that intensity level at the beginning of the game. Consequently, when that happens you tend to foul a lot. We fouled a lot, especially in the first half, put them on the line and they made free throws. We got in foul trouble so that changed the way we play a little bit. I thought we had some careless turnovers. We had about six travel calls. That’s really not excusable in February. There are certainly some things we have to work on. You have to give them credit. Tennessee came out and played. We had a chance to get it down to single digits maybe once or twice, but then they always answered. Disappointing loss for us, I think. Not so much that we lost. We knew that Tennessee was a good team and they’re playing for a lot, in a manner of which we aren’t. It was disappointing, but having said that we go get on the plane and get ready to play Tuesday. We play Kentucky at home so we need to bounce back quick."
(On most disappointing losses of the season)
"I would put it top five. It was disappointing just from a standpoint of us not answering the bell early. The way Tennessee plays is just so hard. Very impressively, by the way. Very impressive. I just didn’t think we answered it early."
(On Missouri’s previous stretch of games entering Saturday)
"Against Florida it was one of those deals that didn’t matter what you did. They were operating on all cylinders. Now I think Tennessee was operating pretty efficiently. I felt that if we could match their level of intensity as the half went on we could get back in the game. We were in the game at half, but we didn’t come out in the second half and answer the bell."
(On Tennessee’s 11-0 run early in the game)
"It was killer. We fouled them and they got their free-throws. I felt good being able to get down under double digits and maybe make a little bit of a run. They answered it. Certainly, that was a huge sequence, I think."
(On Tennessee forward Grant Williams)
"I thought he was a matchup problem three days ago when we started preparing. I think he really takes advantage. He does a great job with his body and he’s got a nice touch. He gets to the line. I do think he’s a matchup problem and you think he’s 6-5 or 6-6, but we had 6-10 guy on him and he shot over him. So, impressive player. First time I have seen him in person."
