Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State-Kansas State Post-Game Quotes
January 03, 2015 | Cowboy Basketball
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Oklahoma State head coach Travis Ford
Opening statement
"I thought the defensive intensity in the second half really created some points for us. Anthony Hickey really changed the game. He gave us a lot of momentum with his defense leading to easy shots for us. I liked the job we did on Thomas Gipson in the second half. I thought (Michael) Cobbins did a great job of stepping up. In the first half, Cobbins was obviously in some foul trouble. Our defense really picked us up in the second half and created a little bit easier opportunities for us because Kansas State is a very good defense in the half court. They're long, athletic and aggressive. Our defense allowed us to open the court up a little bit and get better shots. We've just got to start playing better for 40 minutes instead of just in halves, but we're glad to get the win."
On Anthony Hickey's second half performance
"His on-the-ball pressure was terrific. We got a lot of deflections, which is a stat that we keep, in the first four minutes of the second half by Hickey, Jeff Newberry and a lot of guys. That's an indicator for how active we are, and we were very active in the second half. That led to easy baskets for us. Anthony Hickey, that's his job. That's on his resume. He's got to lead us defensively and set the tone for us."
On only three Cowboys scoring in the first half
"I didn't realize it until I got the stat sheet. That can happen. We need some guys to step up besides those guys. Obviously Hickey had a good second half so he's capable of doing it. (Michael) Cobbins got in foul trouble, or he would have gotten us a few more baskets. We've got to have a few more guys step up. It's something we talked about."
On Michael Cobbins
"He didn't seem like himself. He seemed a little under the weather, but he had a good practice yesterday. We've had (illnesses) going around our locker room. Everybody's got it. I can't talk to them without everyone sniffling and coughing...When you get two quick fouls like he did, it's hard to get back in the flow, but we've got to. He's such an important piece to our basketball team. With that said, he did do his job. Thomas Gipson had four points in the second half. I think that's all we talked to Cobbins about. (Gipson) came out in the second half and got an offensive rebound right off the bat. Cobbins and I had a little conversation, and (Gipson) didn't get another one."
Oklahoma State junior guard Phil Forte III
On the start of the second half
"We were able to get some stops and got out in transition, create some plays. Hickey made a steal, he got a layup, got another steal and kicked it Jeff, Jeff hit me in the corner. We were able to get some momentum and get the crowd into, and we just built off that. I think that's what helped us separate the lead a little bit."
On Anthony Hickey
"He just gets after it on defense; he's really active and makes plays. He was able to get some of us in key situations to succeed. It just got us out on the break more, and we were able to get some easy baskets."
On K-State in the first half
"I think that their aggressive defense just pushed us out. Our offense was above the three-point line for the most part. In the second half we came in and we just needed to attack and get inside the paint and relieve some of that pressure, and I think we were able to get into the paint and make some passes to some shooters and get out in transition and make some easy baskets. I think that kind of relieved some pressure for us. We got some stops on defense and that led us to some transition opportunities and that's when we are at our best because we have so many guys that can make so many plays."
On his three-point buzzer beater in the first half
"I just saw the shot clock going down and so I just had to throw something up and by the grace of God it went in. You know I guess it was just shooter's luck."
On what Jeff Newberry brings to the game
"Coming in from junior college, he was known as a scorer, a guy that can put up points. He came in here and wants to do what's best for the team, whether it's guarding their best player or knocking down open shots. A couple of games he's found me in transition. He just wants to win, and he's trying to do all he can to help us win. The last couple of games that he has been playing really well it has helped our team out a lot. We really need him to keep this up because it has really helped out our team, especially getting into conference play."
On winning at home and the upcoming Big 12 schedule
"It is important, obviously you want to defend your home court. Last game against Maryland, we had a good crowd, and we felt disappointed that we let the fans down. This time we wanted to come in here and protect our home court. We had a good crowd here today, and we wanted to win for them. We didn't want to let them down. Every game from now on is going to be a good one, you have to put it behind you and enjoy it today and tomorrow prepare for the next one. That's why you come here, and that's what makes the Big 12 fun."
On preparing the young guys for hostile environments
"We just try to tell them. At the end of the day the goal is still 10 feet and the court is still the same length. The ball is still the same. We just try to tell them to not get too worried about it and just got out there and play your role and do what's best for the team. If we just stick together and play together, play hard, all of the rest will take care of itself."
On the toughest Big 12 place to play
"Obviously there's Kansas; Iowa State is right up there. Those two for sure. We are going in to a hostile environment (at ISU), and we just have to stick together and play together no matter what happens. They'll make a run, but we just need to stay together and everything will take care of itself."
Oklahoma State junior guard Jeff Newberry
On three players scoring in the first half
"We all knew that we needed to hit some shots and start making something happen. We knew if we played hard on defense that it would create the offense. At halftime we talked about creating some energy in the second half."
On the Flagrant 1 foul on him by Kansas State
"When I first went down, I banged my shoulder pretty hard. I didn't know if it came out of place, but I just got right back up. I knew that I needed to stay in with my energy that I was bringing. I knew I was playing well so I tried to hurry up and get back up before coach came out for the timeout."
On his mindset being a starter
"Honestly, it's the same. The way I come into games whether I'm starting or not starting, I'm really just trying to come in and be a lockdown defender. I know we have great scorer's like Phil (Forte) and Le'Bryan (Nash) who will open up stuff for me, I just have to knock down open shots. I'm just trying to bring the same mindset coming in, helping the team, starting or coming off the bench."
Kansas State head coach Bruce Weber
On defending OSU forward Le'Bryan Nash
"That's a tough challenge to guard a really good player like Nash. Our goal was if we could keep one (Le'Bryan Nash or Phil Forte) below their average that would give us a chance."
On Oklahoma State's role players
"Shine hits those threes in the first half, (Anthony Hickey) goes for 10 points. Hickey's a senior point guard that played SEC basketball and a bunch of minutes, and he kept his poise. (Jeff Newberry) hurt us too with a couple of baskets. Those are the guys that you hope when they come back to our place, we can defend and guard that won't make a difference."
