From The Locker Room
1/3/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MICHIGAN STATE vs. PENN STATE
Breslin Center
January 3, 2001
Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo:
On tonight's game:
"It was a tale of two halves. They hurt us in the first half and we responded in the second. We need to play 40 minutes. We found a way to win, but to continue we must improve our defense, focus and free throw shooting. We still have a lot of work to do. But I was proud of the guys for the way they responded in the second half."
What was said in the locker room at halftime: "It was very mellow (in the locker room). We don't need a loss to start playing better. I told the players that I don't play the game, but rather players play the game. They can't just turn the switch on and off. The players need to take control of the game."
On the difference between the two halves: "We were able to get the ball inside and the defense caused some turnovers (in the second half). I have to give the Penn State defense credit - I thought they showed what they could do. I don't think the score was indicative of the game. We looked sluggish. It was definitely a tale of two halves. It was a lesson learned from the game. If we don't play hard and guard people, we won't win many games. We didn't do that in the first half."
On the play of Charlie Bell and Andre Hutson: "I thought that Andre and Charlie took over the team tonight. We moved Andre over to guard Titus Ivory and that was a big gamble. We had faith in the kid. I thought he did an incredible job. This team will go as far as Andre and Charlie will take us."
Penn State Head Coach Jerry Dunn:
On the second half:
"I think that Tom Izzo coach teams play hardnosed basketball. Any team, whether they are No. 1 or No. 25, don't always play as well in the first half. We were more aggressive in the first half and made shots. That really helped our defense."
On MSU's second-half run: "I called a timeout, but you have to make stops and make shots to be successful. It is just as important to take care of the basketball. We had entirely too many turnovers. We didn't make good decisions in the second half and had few chances to defend the fast break."