Oklahoma State University Athletics
Postgame Quotes vs Kansas State
January 21, 2012 | Cowboy Basketball
Jan. 21, 2012
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Postgame Quotes
Oklahoma State vs Kansas State
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012
Oklahoma State head coach Travis Ford
Opening statement
"You have got to give K-State credit. You're looking at two teams, and one was allowed to play to their strength. We did not, and that's the result of any game. They like to offensive rebound, and they get 23 of them. They like to play physical, and they get 40 free throws."
"Our defense has been very good. I'm proud of our defense. Our defense has been stingy and fairly tough. When the game is going to be played like that, our team is going to struggle. That felt like a football game more than a basketball game. It kind of snowballed. I could never get a feel of what was going to be called. There were 52 fouls called in that game. I probably could have called 102 fouls. You can't call them all, and I understand that. They were allowed to play to their strength as a team, and I give them credit. They deserved to win the game. That's a tough game for us to play."
"With all that said, I asked the guys, how in the world did they find themselves only down by three with three minutes left? I give Kansas State credit for how we played. They made us play that way. Again, that's a tough game. Our guys give every single thing they have got."
"Our kids mentioned (in the locker room) how much they appreciate the fans coming out. They didn't think there would be many people, and they really appreciated the fans. As we were walking out of the gym, the fans were saying, 'We're behind you.' We really appreciate that. That means a lot. If there's any reason to watch this team play, the future is good. These guys are giving it everything they have got. They're playing extremely hard. We're playing good defense. We're the youngest (team) in America, someone told me yesterday. They're getting after it."
"If you want another reason to watch this team play, come watch one of the greatest players to ever play at Oklahoma State, Keiton Page. For what he has done for us and what he does night in and night out, there's not a better player. I just don't grasp why he doesn't get the respect he deserves out there on the court, and I'm sick of it. Everybody is just all over him. This kid is giving it everything he has got, and he can't even walk the next day. I just don't think he gets the respect that he deserves on that court. I don't get it. I hope the fans continue to help. We're going to need all the help we can get come Wednesday night (against No. 5 Missouri). Our players were devasted they lost the game because of the fans. They said that."
Oklahoma State redshirt freshman forward Michael Cobbins
On the comeback towards the end of the game
“When you get that close to a ranked team, you have to hold on to it. We had to keep on fighting and we just let this one slip away.”
On the rebounding difficulties
“We didn't follow through with what the scouting report said. It told us what they were going to do by going inside, and credit to them for getting inside. We can't continue to let this happen and we need to focus on boxing out.”
Oklahoma State redshirt freshman guard Brian Williams
On the lack of offense
“The whole K-State theory of defense is to take you away from what you do, and we did not adjust to that until late in the game.”
On the poor three-point shooting
“These kinds of games happen. We shot 1-for-16 from three and we were still in the game. I feel good about where we're going, we just have to execute at the end.”
Kansas State head coach Frank Martin
On perimeter defense
"That's a huge thing that we've tried to really improve from years past is defending the three-point line, not just here but as a season goes on. Going into conference play, we had done the best job with our team defense than we had in our five years here. We slipped because I started putting my focus in on different things and we've gotten back the last seven days to our foundation. We're practicing the things that are important to us; the things that make us who we are as a team rather than trying to recreate the wheel or do some other things. That's two games in a row that our attention to detail is good and our enthusiasm is good."
On Oklahoma State
"We fouled too much, but that is more Oklahoma State. They attacked us; they took it right at us and they didn't back up a step. They were as aggressive as I've seen them all year. They have been playing real well. I was worried about this game because Travis (Ford) has them playing the best basketball they've played all year and they attacked us and we fouled too much."
On Gallagher-Iba Arena
"Kansas State hadn't won here since 1993. This is one of the most intimidating places that I've ever coached a basketball game at. The crowd, the way it sits right on top of you ... it seems like the court is smaller because it is so congested and it's awesome. It's incredible."
On getting a conference road win
"When you win a conference road game, you get on that plane and you're excited about what your team got accomplished. I'm extremely proud. Our last two road games, we haven't been very good."
On Oklahoma State's comeback effort in the second half
"I just shut up. Those kids other than Jamar (Samuels) and maybe Victor (Ojeleye) haven't been in that moment here before. I just sat there and said, 'I can't believe this is happening again'."
Kansas State senior forward Jamar Samuels
On how the team responded to adversity
"Just being a team and stepping up. We got the W in Stillwater. I've never won in this place. It feels good to win here."
On finally getting a win in Stillwater
"It's good to get a road win in the Big 12. And (for that win) to be in Stillwater makes it a lot better. Just to know that we've came and lost every single time since I've been here. It's very exciting."
On rebounding
"That's big. We preach about that every day, and knowing that we are that type of team to attack the glass every single game, it's amazing to know that you beat your opponent by (21) rebounds."
Kansas State freshman guard Angel Rodriguez
On missing free throws
"In the first half, I missed three of them, which is rare. But, you know, at the end of the game, we went in and made free throws, so I stepped up. I wasn't scared, I just wanted to help the team win, so I made my free throws."
On finally winning in Stillwater
"I knew Coach Frank (Martin) had never won here before, since he was the head coach, so to me, that was enough. Five years is enough for me."
