Post-Game Quotes: Loyola Chicago
12/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant
On Akyah Taylor...
She was the reason why we got ourselves going a little bit. I said to the team that she isn't the best post player, she isn't the best face-up four-man, she doesn't have a jump shot like Aerial [Powers], she doesn't have a three-point shot like Tori [Jankoska], but she has a lot of heart. She finds ways to help our team. For her to have seven offensive rebounds and 11 total, that got us ignited. It's because she plays with a purpose. She plays with a lot passion. Mental toughness and heart is a lot more important than how many jump shots you think you can make. I appreciate her so much, she's a big key to our team and we need to get her back in the starting lineup. Some people are not living up to what they should be living up to. She's always in a stance, she's communicating, she's in the right position, she works hard, and she's positive and vocal. It's really fun to have her on the team and we need people to live up to her standard. I don't like to keep putting her on a pedestal, but people need to live up to her. I just love what she brings and the heart that she plays with. I'm sure she's the fan's favorite even though we have some really good players on our team. There's a reason for that and that's exactly why.
On Loyola's lead at the start...
It was surprising. We've been jumping out on everybody. Louisville was the first time we hadn't played well out of the gate. Everybody, you name it, we came out strong. It's back-to-back games now that I feel like we've been playing passively. Maybe it's not the right combination out there, that might be some of it. I think Akyah [Taylor] brings us a lot of spark and energy and I think getting her back in the starting lineup is the right thing to do. I really thought we were ready to play. We had great practices and a really good shoot-around this morning, good energy, talked about a lot of things and watches a lot of film. I felt good about what we were about to do so for Loyola to come out and shoot 54 percent from the field in the first quarter is a problem. We have to be better than that.
On a good win at home before travel ...
We want to see what people can do. Last game we didn't get into our bench as much but it's hard to play when you're down against a really food team people with little experience. I probably played people for too long last game and I will take the credit for that problem. We got some good minutes, and I am really excited about some of the performances today off the bench. We can use that depth and it will give us more opportunities. I think competition is healthy and a good thing. You don't get things in life you earn them. I always say it's not about getting an opportunity, it's about what you do when you get it. I thought we saw some good things out of Hana [Vesela] and Akyah [Taylor].
On Jenna Allen...
She has a really high IQ for the game. She's so poised and she gets the ball and double teams, she is a great passer. I think the biggest thing right now is that she has to be a better defender. I think she has to turn up her rebounding. She is a talented kid, a coach's kid. She really understands it. It's good for us because we need that depth in the bench.
