Post-Game Quotes
3/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 2, 2008
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Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo
His overall thoughts on the game... It's the first time in a while that I felt like our underclassmen wanted to do something for our seniors. You look at our three guards, Lucas, Walton and Neitzel, with 21 assists and two turnovers, I thought they got it rolling. We played almost flawlessly, except for the first half when we gave up too many offensive boards and sometimes we had some small lineups in there. In the second half, the only thing we did wrong was give up some fast breaks. Indiana got out of there quick and we didn't do a very good job of balancing the floor. But Indiana's a very good team and we played them well. I think a few of our guys kind of had their dreams shattered when we had an opportunity to win the league and didn't, but it's really a mark of some special guys to get back up. It's March. March is a great time around Michigan State and we're going to try to make it a special month if we keep playing well.
On the play of seniors Drew Neitzel and Drew Naymick in their final home game...
It doesn't really get any more storybook than Naymick getting a block in his last second on the court; he's our block leader. Then Neitzel got a lay-up in his last second on the court to get 100 points. I want them to take something with them that they'll remember and I think both guys will remember that.
I hate Senior Day (as far as handling emotions). I do a terrible job in the pre-game speech; I'm not very good at handling a lot of things. But thank God for Mateen Cleaves because the tradition he started of kissing the "S." I don't there's a better moment in any day than to watch those guys do that and see how that fans embrace it. That to me is what it's all about. They played awfully well. I think Neitzel missed a few shots that he would normally make, but he did get 17 points and hit some big 3's. Naymick had a few blocks and had a tough job of going against D.J. White. I thought he did a pretty good job of holding him to 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting. They both did their job and they're both anxious to play more games in March.
On this team's fast-break execution...
I thought the break was lethal. We were getting Raymar Morgan out there, and it really started with Kalin Lucas. It's kind of funny when you look around the league and a lot of freshmen are getting credit and I'm not sure ours has gotten as much as he deserves. He's on a team that he didn't start early and he doesn't have to score a zillion points. For a freshman to play as good of defense as he does and yet still run the team and improve his shooting, there are some great signs there. I thought Durrell Summers played pretty well in the time he was in there and Chris Allen is starting to play better. Marquise Gray made a couple nice moves, so everybody had some good moments. I just have to be a little cautious because it was just one game and we've had a few go the other way. I'm going to try to find a way to enjoy it tonight, but tomorrow, it will be back to dog-eat-dog.
On the legacy of Drew Naymick...
Naymick's first three years were riddled with injuries. That really hurt his development. We talked about red-shirting that third year if he wanted to put all that extra time into basketball. I have to give the kid credit, he's done that. He's been a pretty solid, steady guy. You look at what he's done off the court, on the court and in the classroom, that's a legacy in itself.
On the legacy of Drew Neitzel...
We've only had (five) Academic All-Americans in the history of school. For him to be a second-team All-American tells you a little bit there. He's persevered too. He's gotten through point guard, shooting guard, being the only player, being in a group of players; he's had to make a lot of adjustments. To his credit, he's done that, while still scoring 14 a game. I'll remember him most from a trip I took with him to see the girl he was mentoring who was battling cancer and unfortunately passed away. I found out there are better things than basketball. So, I'll remember Drew for that nice jump shot, that shot he made against Wisconsin, the academics, the fact that he didn't cause any trouble; but I'll remember him every time I look at my son and daughter and feel pretty good about it.
Indiana Interim Head Coach Dan Dakich
Opening comments...
Obviously, you'd give all the credit in the world to Michigan State. That's what you do when you have the kind of program that Michigan State does. You come out on Senior Night and you play that way. And they played great. We did not and that's my fault. If I'm going to be the guy that everybody pats on the back when things go well, then I have to be the guy that accepts when things don't. The players have been through a lot, and it's my job to have them ready to compete in this basketball game. Right from the start, I thought that Michigan State was faster and obviously they shot the ball great. They played a great game.
On the race for the Big Ten title...
For the first time in a long time we're going to need a little help. Hopefully we get it.
On how IU defended against Michigan State...
They're the best transition team, make or miss, in the league. Obviously, we went through that, discussed it, went over it, and they were still able to do it. It's disappointing. It's more than disappointing, it is a frustrating day with that because it's something that was and is the emphasis on playing when you play Michigan State. They beat us back, they ran past us, and that should never happen. When they shoot the ball the way they shot the ball that's one thing, but they should have never run past us. And, again, that falls on me to have us ready to play.
These kids have been through a lot but at this point, it has been 10 days, and that's no excuse. We have to be better than what we were today.
On MSU's offense...
I don't know that I've seen a team shoot that well, but I also think we gave them too many easy looks. On a pick and roll they dumped the ball twice and that shouldn't happen. Again, I take the blame for that. But, what I told them was `let's guard. Let's keep playing hard'. In the second half we did.
On getting back into the game... I thought about a lot of things. I thought about five guys in, five guys out. But I also know how these things go, and what I decided is that we were going to get the game settled down and then get back into the game.
On MSU players kissing the S on the court...
I don't care. I've got a lot more things to worry about than whether or not Michigan State players kiss the S. It means a lot to them and I don't take offense to that. I respect it. I hope that DJ White feels that way about the IU in his court. It's a neat thing for them.
