MSU-Houston Postgame Quotes
11/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 26, 2006
Michigan State Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie
Opening Statement...
I thought it was a great battle. I think Houston is a really gutsy team. They play real hard and aggressive. I just think that they're an excellent team. I'm sorry that they've had issues with the different things going on with them, but they're a very good team. Their record does not indicate their ability.
On Michigan State's play...
I liked our team in the second half. I thought we played a very strong second half. We got a lot smarter, particularly on No. 12 (Sha'Ratta Hawkins), who is an excellent player. Holding them to 21 second-half points was very positive for us and I did like how our veteran players really stepped up. Aisha Jefferson, Victoria Lucas-Perry, Rene Haynes, they're kids who have been around the block and played in different situations. I thought they handled themselves well.
On the team's depth...
We're basically just trying to build some depth. We only went nine (in the first half) and eight (in the second half). It was a very strong eight, but that was it. Maybe we can build. We need to start working on our depth, working on our combinations.
On the possibility of the team overlooking Houston...
We know Houston. Houston played at our place last year, but yes, with a young team traveling on its first road trip of the year, as coaches, we're always concerned. I think, for the most part, we were pretty well set. I just don't think our team expected that start (when MSU built a 15-1 lead). I think that fast start actually probably hurt us. I think there was some relaxing which you can never do in any game. But it was a great start.
