Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU vs. Nebraska Postgame Quotes
February 25, 2007 | Cowgirl Basketball
Oklahoma State Cowgirl Basketball
vs. Nebraska
February 24, 2007
Head Coach Kurt Budke
On possibly getting into the NCAA Tournament
“I think if we can put together 40 more minutes and get one more victory, I do not think there is any question this team deserves to be in the NCAA Tournament. If you go .500 in a league that has the No.2 RPI in the country, I do not know what else the committee would want especially playing in the Big 12 South. You have to believe you are going to get into the NCAA Tournament. If I said let's work hard and get into the NIT, then it would be a different story. If you go 8-8 in this league, I think there is no way they can deny you. We still have to win on Wednesday against Kansas State. All of this might be for nothing if we do not get the win.”
On the factors the NCAA committee should look at for Oklahoma State
“I think the (NCAA committee) has to factor in a lot things. Some of things include that we are two seconds away from three more wins with one of those games against Texas A&M, who is going to be a high seed in the tournament.”
On the victory over No.25 Nebraska
“I feel good for the girls. I feel good that it is a check mark that the NCAA committee does look at by beating a top-25 team. We honestly will look at Kansas State like they are a top-25 team.”
On speaking to the crowd after the victory over Nebraska
“I grabbed the microphone because it could be our last home game. I wanted to tell the fans how appreciative I was of them to show up. We have this core group that shows up even if the weather is bad. Attendance is getting higher. Someone said the other day to come out and kick the tires, and if you like it then buy into it, but if you do not like it then do not come back. I think that is exactly right on the money. You have to come out and give these girls a chance. I have never had anybody in this gym who has walked out disappointed even if we do lose. We are building a program here that I want the fans to know their coach and the passion that their coach has for this program.”
On Oklahoma State's excitement after the game
“It is all about the girls and their success and their memories they have at Oklahoma State. I have said enough to my team that I have won enough games in my life, as this is all about you guys. Ten years from now, they will be able to say that playing here was a great memory. It was fun for us coaches to see them have a chance to celebrate a big win.”
Junior Danielle Green
On the final play
"We knew she (Hardy) was going to get a shot off. She is their best three-point shooter and we knew they were going to give her the ball. Coach told us to switch on everything.²
On pulling out close games
"In our losses, when we got down to the end of the game we would try to take it ourselves. We would play a lot of one on one and take it to the hole. Now we take it if we can but if we are not open we kick it out to someone who is. We want the open person to make the play. We have more trust in each other as a team. We know we can all finish the play."
On defense
"Our defense has kept us in a lot of games period. We go through scoring droughts but our defense stays solid day in and day out. We know that when we are not scoring our defense can keep us in the game."
Freshman Andre Riley
On beating a ranked team
"This is just a blessing. It is amazing to know we finally beat a ranked team. I got sick of hearing Oklahoma State almost beat this team or that team. To finally win one of these feels good."
On NCAA Tournament hopes
"We feel we need to be at least .500 in the league and win 20 games. That is our goal. This makes our game with Kansas State huge. Every game is critical but we need this next game to get to 20 wins."
Nebraska Head coach Connie Yori
On the game
“Oklahoma State is a good basketball team and they're playing to get into the NCAA Tournament. They played with a lot of passion, they're very well coached and I thought they made a lot of plays in the second half. We gave up 45 points in the second half, between Danielle Green, (Rashidat) Sadiqand all their kids, I thought they made a lot of plays. They put the ball through the hoop, and when they didn't get the first opportunity, they were getting second opportunities. They hurt us on the offensive glass and I thought they played with a lot of emotion. I thought it was a really well-fought game.”
On the Cowgirls chances of making the NCAA Tournament
“I think there's about ten teams in our league that deserve to be in the tournament. I don't think that we're going to get ten teams in, but our league is unbelievable. Part of the problem that were having right now is that everyone is beating each other up. You look and there are ten teams in this league who are in the (top) 60 in the RPI and I'm sure after tonight Oklahoma State is going to be in the 50's in the RPI and they're making a really good push late. They are an NCAA Tournament-quality team.”
On Nebraska's recent skid heading into postseason
“I think it goes to show you how good our league is. At this time of the year there are so many teams that need to win. The last few opponents we've had, they've had to win to keep their season alive, but we needed to win tonight too. Tuesday night for us is huge against Colorado, it gives us a chance to be in the top four in this league and get a bye in the (conference) tournament.”
