Cowboy Quotables: Boynton and Dailey

Sharp-shooting BYU invades Gallagher-Iba Arena this weekend. At his weekly press conference, head coach Mike Boynton Jr. spokes on the challenges of shutting down the nation's top three-point attack, a bite from the flu bug and Eric Dailey Jr.'s steady approach and improvement. Read on for more.

Head Coach Mike Boynton on…

… Navigating through illnesses during the bye week:
"We were off Sunday and Monday to give the guys an extra day, and we had a practice plan Tuesday that had to be changed. We thought we'd have more guys on Wednesday – but we had less – so you have to deal with what you've got. We took the guys that were able to practice and got in a good workout, got some live drilling in… We're in our normal prep time, but we'll see how many bodies we have in practice today to accomplish what we need to do and get ready."

… Facing a BYU team that leads the nation in three-point field goals:
"They're really good… They shoot the 3 well. I remember feeling like 'man' when we played ORU 'they could shoot the ball.' These guys have probably three more guys who can shoot at that rate. Everybody on their team can shoot, and their point guard is a 7-foot guy."

"It's the most unique (team) we'll probably play all year. Offensively, they're electric. We'll have to be really, really good defensively to have a chance."

… Ada, Okla. native Jaxson Robinson:
"His confidence stands out. I'm watching the film -- I'm not around him -- But you watch a kid on film shoot the ball from places he shoots the ball from and it's clear there's a level of comfort and confidence he plays with that has worked for him... He's a good player, great size, great shooting ability and obviously plays in a system that really suits his skill set."

… Eric Dailey Jr.'s ability to stay grounded through the hype:
"A lot of people kind of like playing basketball, because playing basketball affords them popularity, external things. He truly loves the game, and probably a step further. He lives, breathes, eats, sleeps basketball. And because of that, he's able to show up every day and have the same attitude about getting better, about appreciating the opportunity to play, and a great desire to continue to improve to see where he can ultimately take the game."

… Dailey's season, so far:
"I think he's had a pretty good freshman year. He's not had a perfect freshman year, but he's had a year that he needs to appreciate. The opportunities he's had in this league, he's going to be a better player, long term, because of it."

... G League Ignite's Impact on high school recruiting:
"I think the more options kids can have, the better. And kids being able to make choices, based off what they think they can do with their lives at a given age, with the involvement of people who they feel like are important to them and care about them – I'm all for it."

Freshman forward Eric Dailey Jr. on…

… Self improvement:
"I get this thing on my phone. Each morning I get a notification at 7:30 a.m. that says '1% better'. That's all I try to do is to get 1% better each day in whatever -- It might just be eating better, might be sleeping the extra hour, it might just be 'let me go make 100 free throws' -- just something 1% better, that if I didn't do it, I wouldn't have been better at it. I'm going to make this a promise to myself."

… Playing in hostile road environments around the Big 12:
"I like playing in front of crowds. I like a lot of people. I like the noise. I love that it gives me energy to play in. I don't think I've ever shied away from a crowd or really even think about it too much. I just see people in the stands. Being a player, you've got to go and perform. That's what I am, I think. I'm a performer."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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