Oklahoma State University Athletics
Quotes: Oklahoma State vs Yale
November 17, 2019 | Cowboy Basketball
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Boynton
Opening Statement:
"They're a really, really good team, like we said all along. They presented some challenges because they could throw the ball inside and they had guys who could make shots. You have to pick which one you want to give up; we weren't really good at either for a long stretch. We obviously didn't rebound at the level we wanted. Thanks to Lindy Waters for making some good shots and getting us through a game we had to win.
On playing zone in the second half:
"I think our zone was a really good change because they were obviously prepared for our pressure. The zone kind of game them some different looks, made them more hesitant than they might regularly be. You just do what you got to do to win the game."
On Avery Anderson's play:
"Avery was solid; he was really good defensively. We still need to get him to take less chances offensively until he gets a better sense of his teammates and our offense. He changes the dynamic of what we can do defensively because of his quickness and speed and because he's always there. He was causing real problems for the ball handler."
On older players stepping up down the stretch:
"Always need to have the old guys step up in close games that are really competitive. The balance of our schedule is going to present some challenges, just like this. I'm thankful to have an older guy who didn't lose his poise and made the shots when he was open late."
On Isaac Likekele's confidence and composure:
"He went through it last year. He wasn't so sure of himself. This time last year, he was trying to figure out, 'Where do I pick my spots?' Now, he feels very comfortable knowing when he can attack and when he's gotta find his teammates. He was really solid for us on both ends of the floor today.
On the one thing the team can work on following today's game:
"Our interior play overall. They scored in there at will; they outrebounded us today. That's something we have to work on moving forwards because they're far from the biggest and most physical team that we'll play, but we have time to figure it out.
OSU senior guard Lindy Waters III
On how the game meant to him today:
"It meant a lot to me and my family. I've been here for four years and just being in a university that will help renew my culture in certain ways. A university that just has shown me a lot of love, passion and every resource for me to be successful. It just means a lot."
On what the key for the win was:
"Our defense. Our halfcourt defense and crunch time rebounding."
On any frustrations about shots not falling:
"Maybe a little bit. We know how hard we put the work in. We know we get shots every day and we're shooters so we try to have no conscious. If you miss one you just keep shooting and the ball will eventually fall."
OSU sophomore guard Isaac Likekele
On how big the Yale turnovers were:
"It was big time. This year due to the depth that we have like to pick up full court going into the games. We pride ourselves on turning teams over and just keep applying pressure all game long."
On how he feels with Water's performance:
"Lindy's always been a player where he can just start hitting shots. You know a lot of people say he doesn't shoot the ball enough but that's just not his major, he's not a selfish player. Whenever he gets hot I just try to think in my mind, how can I get him into a good position, because anytime he lets it go and he's feeling it, it will probably go in."
On if the defense is the identity of the team this year:
"Most definitely. I feel like that's how every team for Coach is. I mean you can go out there with 64 points and a lot of teams won't win games with 64 points and you know today we held them below 60. He just prides defense on us every day and that's what we like to hang our hat on."
Yale Head Coach James Jones
On responding to pressure
"It's a team effort in terms of guys moving to the ball when their supposed to and executing and we didn't do a good job of that. We have to understand our jobs especially against the press, get to those areas and help the ball handler out."
On freshman in a hostile environment
"It's a factor having new guys trying to figure all this out. That's what experience is about you have to be able to learn on the fly. We got the scored tied with two minutes to go and we were not smart and efficient enough to win. We hope to learn from this and be better down the road."
On three point shooting
"Yes we did because of their shot blocking ability at the basket we felt like this was something we had to do to be successful. We missed a lot of shots that normally would fall for us."
