Post-Game Quotes
11/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 1, 2007
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Michigan State Head Coach Suzy Merchant
Opening Statement:
The second half was much better than the first. I think it is a work in progress, there certainly is a whole lot we have to get better at. I suspected they would play a lot of that match-up, with Janel's (Burgess) background. I thought our kids were pretty well prepared, but I still don't think they executed as well as they could have.
On the freshmen not being tentative:
I guess I have always believed that you shouldn't treat freshman as freshman, but just treat them just like everybody else on the team. They are very poised freshman, which is a nice thing to have, because a lot of the time freshman can get rattled, especially at the point guard spot. We have to start with Brittney, I think she has a very nice calming presence on the team, and that carries over to Kalisha, which carries over to Taja, which then carries over to Cetera.
Feelings about first Spartan game:
I kind of got choked up out there, this is a really special place. Every coach here believes in Michigan State. I am still humbled about the opportunity. I am so proud to be a Spartan. I just want to do the best I can.
Michigan State Junior Forward Aisha Jefferson
Thoughts on the game:
I felt good. I am in the best condition and shape that I have ever been here. I don't know how many minutes I played tonight, but I wasn't that fatigued. I don't think I could have gone that long before. It felt good, and a lot of nerves are out of the way. I am just nervous because this is my first season healthy, with a new beginning and a new start. It felt like I was a freshman all over again. I was just happy to get it out of the way, but there are still things that need to be improved on.
On the chemistry:
Offensively, I think we have good chemistry. I think defensively, our chemistry needs a lot of work. That just comes with a lot of experience, and playing with each other, and more practicing, and getting after it everyday. I think we can go really deep, and we have a lot of weapons on offense. I enjoy our chemistry on offense.
