Oklahoma State University Athletics
Postgame Quotes
January 04, 2012 | Cowboy Basketball
Jan. 4, 2012
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Oklahoma State head coach Travis Ford
Opening statement
"It was a good win for our team. We needed it, and it was nice to start off on a good note. We know every game is going to be a battle for us. They were much more aggressive than us on both sides of the court (in the second half). I think our guys went out there and played not to lose rather than continue to play hard and aggressive. That's typical of a young basketball team. We've been through a lot the last week or so, especially with JP (Olukemi). We had to go back to the drawing board. We had guys out there playing positions they've never played, and we had guys out there who have never played. We were playing some zone, which we haven't played. We were a little concerned of how well we would flow tonight and how well we would execute tonight. I was proud of how our guys adjusted to changing defenses. We changed defenses on them a lot. Michael Cobbins did a good job of understanding the four spot at times.I though (Marek) Soucek got in there and gave us some positive minutes. It's still really a work in progress. The attitude this team has had has been off the charts. I don't know how good we are, and it's going to be a battle every night. I like this team. This team has been fun to work with the last week. They've really accepted some of the challenges of the adversity we've been through."
On if this was the best game overall this team has played this season
"There were some positives. We were pretty good at Missouri State. I thought we played well at SMU for our 40 minute game. We didn't play in as many spurts at SMU. I would put this game up there. You're going to have ups and downs in games. We're out there with four freshmen a lot. It was one of the better wins. They're a good ball team, and they've got some good players."
On Keiton Page
"He's a good ball player. He's an overachiever, and he knows how to score. I think our guys did a good job of screening for him tonight to get him open. He understands the game. Last year was a little bit of an experience for him. The experiences he went through last year will, hopefully, help him through this year. He's got a few more offensive weapons around him. He has a great feel for the game. We do a lot to try to get him shots."
Oklahoma State senior guard Keiton Page
On whether this was OSU's best performance yet
"It may be. But, we know we still have plenty of room to grow. We got outrebounded tonight. To win games in this league, we aren't going to be able to do that. We're a little undersized right now and don't have much depth, but we're going to have to find ways to rebound. We have some areas to clean up, but I thought we played pretty well tonight."
On starting with a win in conference play
"I think it does give us some momentum. It's better than starting 0-1. In this league, it's tough to get wins, so you have to be sure you get the ones at home. We're fortunate and excited we're 1-0, but we have a lot of room to grow."
On the progression of Marek Soucek
"I've been really proud of Marek. Over the past month, he's been getting better every day and challenging Philip (Jurick) and Mike (Cobbins). He's been coming up with huge plays in practice. His confidence is rising each and every day. For him to come out and hit a big three for us, get a couple stops and just be active as he was, I was impressed with Marek. He needs to play like that for the rest of Big 12 play and give us some big minutes."
Oklahoma State sophomore guard/forward Markel Brown
On the team's mindset after losing Jean-Paul Olukemi to injury
"Going into Big 12 play, we knew we weren't going to have J.P., so we basically told everyone they have to step it up a notch. Whatever they weren't doing before Big 12 play, they have to do a little more and be aggressive to make up for that loss."
On playing through an injury
"I had a little pain, but it's getting better day by day. Just a little muscle that's tight and slowing me down a little, but it's getting better."
Texas Tech head coach Billy Gillispie
On Javarez Willis' defense against Keiton Page
"I thought he was good early and just average late. Page is a very good player and a dangerous player; he makes their team. We get it down to four (points) and we just give them two fouls shots because the ball hadn't ever been put in play wasn't a very smart play. I believe he then made 10 or 12 points in the last three minutes. I believe he made two threes when we didn't help when we were in the triangle-and-two and then he made four or six free throws. He really stood above everyone when the game counted the most, so you have to give him credit. I thought we did a really good job on him early, but you have to play for 40 minutes and we definitely didn't play 40 minutes good enough to win a Big 12 basketball game.
On Texas Tech's second half performance
"I see too much confidence when we make a shot and not enough confidence when we miss one. That's a sign of mental toughness and that's something that has to be developed. You can't only play when things are going well for you. We made a bunch of shots at the start and we were guarding and rebounding well and then when we started not playing very well against the zone we didn't guard at all and let them score 40 points in the first half. They made plays and I have to give them respect for doing that, but it just shows a sign of either immaturity or not being tough mentally."
On Keiton Page
"I love the way he plays. He plays hard, he plays smart and he's a very unselfish player. They do a real good job of setting screens for him and they run a good system for him, but he's as tough as there is. I've watched him for a long time and he changes and stretches your defense because you have to be there on every shot. It takes more than one guy to guard him. My respect for a player couldn't be any higher than what it is for Keiton. He tries hard on defense too. He got a charge down the stretch there on Jaye Crockett that was a real big play for them. He's a complete player and he's had a fantastic career here. I have a great deal of respect for him."
