University of Minnesota Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Rutgers
2/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 23, 2016
Minnesota Head Coach Richard Pitino
Opening Statement...
"With Greg Lewis hurt, they played small. They played zone and I think it got us out of our rhythm a little bit. We settled down the second half, did a better job. Happy with the win, obviously. I think Dupree McBrayer is getting better in front of our eyes. I think Kevin Dorsey is getting better. I thought it was a tough game for Bakary Konate and Gaston Diedhou because they were covering five guards at times. Happy with the win. It was a Big Ten win. I like the way we bounced back in the second half."
On enjoying back-to-back wins on the first time since November...
"You're happy with it. I'm happy with a lot of what we're doing, but you have to narrow your focus and take it one day at a time, and I think our guys are doing that. I like the progress of guys moving forward. I think they're getting better. I think we're playing our best basketball. I thought we played really well at Iowa, but we didn't get the win. I thought we played really well against Maryland. I thought we did some good things today. At the free throw line, we took a step back. I felt really good on the break today, so I'm happy with the way we're playing. We just have to keep pushing forward."
On Dupree McBrayer...
"I've always been very excited about him. I think he's versatile. I think he's got length. With the way we run ball screens, he can jump over guys. I always thought he was a better shooter than what he was showing, but he's a very good assistant jump shot shooter. He's getting to the rim and he's good out on the break. He must have had 10 or 11 deflections defensively, so I think once he puts on 10 or 15 pounds he's going to be a really good player." 
Rutgers Head Coach Eddie Jordan
Opening Statement:
"[Minnesota] started going in the paint a little more, they started getting some scores at the rim. We weren't as organized in the second half as we were in the first, although when we were organized we missed some shots at the rim. We made an effort to get the ball to the post, but we missed some layups. Credit to their defense, they were long and they got some blocks at the rim. They just sort of got into us a little bit. [...] They had athletes and we just didn't match them athletically."
On the team's game plan when they were still up:
"Stay organized and stay patient. That's how we got there. Don't do anything out of the norm and don't play random basketball. We know we have to do it in the half court. Defensively, we were playing a match-up zone that was okay, it wasn't great. Sometimes we were confused but it confused them sometimes, too, I thought. Give Richard [Pitino] some credit - he got his guys to get more in the paint and more aggressive, and then they started making shots. [...] Their size eventually got us in the paint."
On what Minnesota's win over Maryland showed:
"They just gutted it out. Maryland made a furious comeback and Minnesota just made plays. You have to make plays, you have to get steals, convert at the rim, make shots, run your offense, get good screens, and that's what they did. Tonight they didn't play as big as they could have, but Maryland they had to play big. I thought they played well."
Freshman Dupree McBrayer
On how it feels to win another game…
"It feels pretty good, but I think we're just getting started and going to go on a run going into the Big Ten Tournament. It's all about getting better. Getting on the same page and preparing to go on this big run that we know we have in us."
Freshman Jordan Murphy
On building for next year…
"I think we're taking good steps forward as opposed to just preparing for next year, but for now we're just focusing on getting Joey some wins because he has contributed a lot to this program and the basketball community around Minnesota. We're going to try and get him some wins before we worry about next year."
Senior Joey King
On their fanbase and the program…
"So many people have stuck with us through our ups and our downs, and those are the people I celebrate our success with. I really enjoy being in the presence of those positive people and for the negative people I somewhat disregard them. It's more than just winning and losing here. This program has never been incredibly consistent at all times; it's just something we are trying to build to. This year has been somewhat of a hiccup in that process but it all comes down to using these last games to build and continue into next year."
Rutgers Head Coach Eddie Jordan
Opening Statement:
"[Minnesota] started going in the paint a little more, they started getting some scores at the rim. We weren't as organized in the second half as we were in the first, although when we were organized we missed some shots at the rim. We made an effort to get the ball to the post, but we missed some layups. Credit to their defense, they were long and they got some blocks at the rim. They just sort of got into us a little bit. [...] They had athletes and we just didn't match them athletically."
On the team's game plan when they were still up:
"Stay organized and stay patient. That's how we got there. Don't do anything out of the norm and don't play random basketball. We know we have to do it in the half court. Defensively, we were playing a match-up zone that was okay, it wasn't great. Sometimes we were confused but it confused them sometimes, too, I thought. Give Richard [Pitino] some credit - he got his guys to get more in the paint and more aggressive, and then they started making shots. [...] Their size eventually got us in the paint."
On what Minnesota's win over Maryland showed:
"They just gutted it out. Maryland made a furious comeback and Minnesota just made plays. You have to make plays, you have to get steals, convert at the rim, make shots, run your offense, get good screens, and that's what they did. Tonight they didn't play as big as they could have, but Maryland they had to play big. I thought they played well."
Freshman Dupree McBrayer
On how it feels to win another game…
"It feels pretty good, but I think we're just getting started and going to go on a run going into the Big Ten Tournament. It's all about getting better. Getting on the same page and preparing to go on this big run that we know we have in us."
Freshman Jordan Murphy
On building for next year…
"I think we're taking good steps forward as opposed to just preparing for next year, but for now we're just focusing on getting Joey some wins because he has contributed a lot to this program and the basketball community around Minnesota. We're going to try and get him some wins before we worry about next year."
Senior Joey King
On their fanbase and the program…
"So many people have stuck with us through our ups and our downs, and those are the people I celebrate our success with. I really enjoy being in the presence of those positive people and for the negative people I somewhat disregard them. It's more than just winning and losing here. This program has never been incredibly consistent at all times; it's just something we are trying to build to. This year has been somewhat of a hiccup in that process but it all comes down to using these last games to build and continue into next year."
Players Mentioned
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