University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Michigan State
1/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Minnesota Head Coach Richard Pitino
Opening Statement:
A couple of things: I think at the end of the game we showed some fight but a couple of looks just didn't go our way. I thought their size when they needed to rebound the ball got to us a bit, but that's a very good team. Thank goodness Valentine didn't play because that kid is awesome. I still think that they are a legitimate top ten team, regardless of Valentine or not. Costello was really good tonight, Bryn Forbes was good. Our guys showed fight, I thought Murph had a lot of good looks that didn't fall, Nate had a lot of good looks. Give them credit and you are proud of the effort but you have to bounce back and be ready for Penn State on Tuesday.
On the play of the team's seniors:
I thought Joey had good looks and missed a couple that were in and out. I was happy with Carlos, I didn't think he forced it too much. We just are not a great shooting team, especially when Joey goes 1 for 4 from the three, we aren't going to get a lot of three's. We shot 20 three's but for the most part I thought they were good looks. Joey and Carlos just didn't score as much as you would want them to.
On the team's energy:
The crowd was certainly great. You have the #1 team in the country, (or whatever they're going to be ranked at the end of the week) in your building, ESPN, the whole deal. You're going to get that, and if you don't you have problems. We have to realize that you need to bring it every single game regardless of the environment. The fans were great tonight and we need them for some other games because we feed off of them. When that arena is built up and rocking it's great. I understand fans are frustrated with us, but we're young and I hope they can stick with us because we are going to be a really good team down the road.
On Coach Izzo:
His father passed away and he has the wake tonight. I have an amazing amount of respect for Tom Izzo, and that's sincere. He is a coach's coach. If I were ever to call him up and say, coach I have a question about something, he would call you right back and give you his time. He has no ego and works his butt off. He is a guy I really, really look up to. What a thing to say about a program, you look at how hard they play and how much better they get. Their players come back. He's a great coach but a very special guy.
Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo
Opening Statement:
We just kind of shuffled guys around and we aren't very fluid right now but we are missing a hell of a player and I don't care if it's an excuse or not. He just does so many things for us that we are patch working everyone, defensively, offensively and shot clock things. I thought Costello did a great job on the boards, Bryn Forbes hit some big shots and I thought Deyonta Davis made some big plays and then some freshman plays. I think Minnesota will get better, they have been struggling to but have good guard play and that Konate kid looks good. Tonight we at least competed, I thought versus Iowa that we didn't compete and that was disappointing. We have a lot of work to do to be the team we want to be and the other question is just player's health.
On the team's post play:
You know I really think there are some positives. I just can't find them. I mean you get into a game and there's this and that and a 10 point lead but then some stupid mistakes and inexcusable ones lead to them capitalizing on them but we did go inside a lot more and I though all of our guys responded and will hopefully help us down the road.
On how coaching has helped cope with his father's passing:
Yeah it has, which scares me for these next couple of days. You know so many people, my good friend Flip, I spent some time with his son Ryan last night and he only got sixty years out of his dad and I got 90. If there's any good thing about flying everywhere it's that I have gotten some time to think and enjoy all of the great things of this job that I got to enjoy with my dad. It's going to be a tough couple of days probably but I feel lucky and blessed. I appreciate all the kind things everyone has said, we all go through it, the only one that's probably not going to die is Sid but other than that we all face it.
On Minnesota's team:
I really like them. Any time you lose there's heat on the coach and everyone else but I'm really impressed. Murphy is the real deal, since he's been playing he has been rebounding a rebounding machine. I'd like to steal him (laughs). I like that kind of player, he's tough and aggressive and a rebounding nut. I thought we did a decent job on him. I will say when Konate hit that baseline jumper I looked up at my dad and said, what are you doing? That's the wrong team. He usually doesn't hit those shots but I like the young guys.
Freshman Jordan Murphy
