Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan St./Bowling Green Quotes
3/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 19, 2010
Michigan State Head Coach Suzy Merchant
(On Bowling Green)
"I think that there are a lot of different things. I think it's attributed to the fact that they're older and wiser with more experience. I think they've added little different pieces since we played them the first time. They had their all-world point guard and she was tremendous. They have one now that's a different style system. They have a one-time transfer from Oregon in Tamika Nurse who is just challenging to guard at the offensive rim and she can play some point guard too. I think that they actually have more at the point guard position than they did the first year we played them, they kind of did it with one, and now, they're doing it with two at a time. She also has tremendous talent and she can find a way to score. She had 24 on us when we played at home as a freshman, and she was pretty good as a freshman and has just gotten wiser and more experienced. She has found different ways to score and in case you want to cheat on her, she just finds a way to get the ball in the basket or get herself to the foul line. I think she has become a little craftier on the way she has opportunities to score. You can talk about their guards, but their fours and fives are extremely talented too. They have five kids that can shoot it from the perimeter and they do a great job in their shooting as well as coming off the screen and roll action and knocking it down. They have great rebounding and I think they're just overachievers. I really see a team that has just matured over the course of a couple of years that has just perfected and gotten better since the first time we played them a couple of years ago."
(On Bowling Green's Offense)
"No, I mean Curt (Miller) is a great coach and he does similar things. He tweaks what they do every year a little bit to accommodate some of the strengths of their team offensively and defensively. It isn't about your pass. They do a lot of ball screen action, that's what they've always done, that's kind of their MO. You have to defend the arc, and then you've got to defend the lane. It's just a lot that's pretty similar. They do a few different things with different quick hitters to accommodate who they have on the floor."
(On the relationship with Curt Miller)
"We were just chatting up there for the meeting. We text back and forth throughout the year. I didn't have my phone with me, but Kate had it and I go text him and he texted me immediately and then the other assistants were texting back and forth. It's a really positive relationship. The two of us were kind of sitting there in the last game of the premier. We've had a lot of really good battles and we've won some and they've won some over the years. I really appreciate his work ethic and what he's done for the game."
(On Curt Miller's knowledge on women's basketball)
"I thought it was actually good when we were in there, but I think obviously when we're not playing the same person night in and night out that changes the relationship a little bit, but he's probably a very precarious guy, very outgoing, very knowledgeable about what's going on in the world of women's basketball. If you want to know something, that's the guy you go to. He seems to know it all. I'm in my little hole up there and I don't know half of the time what is going on out there with who's getting what job, and this, that, and the other. He's pretty good if you want to know, you ask him."
(On Allyssa DeHaan)
"I think she's going to be fine come game time. She's had a nice blend of rehab, and she's gotten to get on the court a little bit. She's also had a nice blend of working with the doctors and getting different treatments. She practiced with us yesterday in game type situations and she's getting really, really good today. In a lot of ways for her, it's been probably in a weird way a good thing for her to get a little bit more refreshed. I think there are a lot of expectations on Allyssa just because of her being 6-9 and some of the things she can bring to the game. It's kind of good for her I think physically and mentally to be a little bit more refreshed this time of year. In an incredible way, the injury has given her a chance to get her legs under her a bit, and kind of get mentally focused and ready for her last tournament run."
(On her hiring at Michigan State)
"I can only comment on if he was up for the job or not. I don't really know how that all transpired. I don't even know who was in for the job, but I got the opportunity to interview. He and I didn't really talk much about it and I feel fortunate to be the coach at Michigan State and I'm really appreciative of the opportunity, but looking back on it, I can't comment. You'd probably have to ask our administration. If that was the case, I really don't know."
(On the defensive plan to stop Prochaska)
"If somebody can answer that, then that'd be a good thing. She's had a heck of a year. You try to limit her touches, but I'm not sure that's always an easy thing to do. She does a great job of getting the ball in her hands and does a good job of screening re-screeners. They do a good job of freeing her up. I think the players kind of mentioned having a team defensive approach. You've got to be in good defensive position on her. You can't put her to the foul line. That's something we've really been working on. We've been trying to figure her out, but at the same time, I think that she is one kid that can score with contact, and score falling down, fading away, and scooping it under. I mean, she's a pretty talented young lady and our goal is just to make it as tough as we can on her, but at the same time, knowing that they have four other players out there that can light it up too. I don't think you can spend your entire time just on one player. I think that Bowling Green's success comes from the nine deep and ten deep that he plays."
(On Bowling Green's Offensive Threats)
"It's just not guarding the arc because they have triple threat people everywhere, so you get out on them on the arc, and they're really good at putting the ball on the floor and it's kind of like three-year old layup mentality. They have a nice inside game as well with Breske. I think that she is feisty enough and she's a senior with a tough turn-around jumper. She's just an over-achieving hustle kid and then their four man can really face up and shoot 3-pointers. Let me tell you that night that Matt kind of brought up with our rebounding; I think that's a big key for us. I think we were really disappointed with the way we didn't finish the deal. We played pretty good defense and got Iowa right where we wanted them. We just wouldn't close it off with a defensive rebound and so I think that's been something that's going to be important. I think when you play outside-in, its long shots, and long rebounds. It's a lot tougher to box out kids coming full speed at you from the arc."
(On Lauren Prochaska)
"She's probably more of a combination of players than she is of just one. I think she's got the ability to turn score and get her own shot like Grant. Also, with regards to that, she was one of the best in the league (Big Ten) in drawing contact and getting to the foul line. I think she (Lauren Prochaska) is a lot like that. I think that she's got some of the three-point capabilities without question of Jaime Printy from Iowa, one of the Iowa guards. I think when you look at that with the deep three-point shooting that's accurate, as well as the ability to get to the rim and create her own shot like Grant."
(On the match-up with Bowling Green State University a few years ago)
"I think that it gives them a familiarity with the style of play more than anything. AJ didn't play on the court at that time because she was hurt, so she just witnessed this. She doesn't have the experience of actually playing in this. I think that we're both better than two years ago and most of our players are back with a few adjusted situations. I can't say that it hurts, but it also helps them because they have an idea about us, so it's kind of a wash at this point."
(On being compared to the success of the men's team)
"You're really on this men's basketball thing, aren't you. Are you writing a piece on this? You're at the women's tournament; they're at Spokane, Washington. I think Aisha said it best, I don't really feel like there's a shadow thing there. I think it starts with Izzo. I can't speak for Kentucky and Calipari and Mathew's relationship, but Tom is a very instrumental part of the women's success as well, prior to me being here. He is a proponent of all Michigan State people. Every coach and every recruit that comes on campus from golf, to football, women's basketball or track, he'll meet with them. Tom, when you look at the success, nobody is jealous and nobody is envious of what they do. I think what it is, is an awesome admiration and respect for his work ethic for the way he handles his kids, the way they work, and how they win. He's a resource for me to lean on and I use that to the upmost of my ability and we have a very special relationship between the men's and women's team. I know it's not always like that in every program, so maybe that is a good point that you're asking. I'll tell you that every time I see him; I'm still in awe that he knows my name. I'm in year three, so I probably should get over the rock-star status. I know he's a rock-star, but at the same time, he's as down to earth at the same time. I think because of his personality, you just admire and appreciate what he does. I think any time when you're football and men's basketball team, those two are successful as they are, and for us the men's basketball team because we play the same sport. His success has helped, there is a really great brand of Michigan State basketball out there and it started with Tom Izzo and what he accomplished with his Final Four runs and National Championships. I definitely think that when you're recruiting and looking at a big time job, when the men have it rolling, you should look at that as a negative, but for us, that's actually a positive."
(On the rebounding bubble)
"We actually use it a lot in our drill work. We normally don't do it in our drill work, but just to add in a point of emphasis, I thought we need it in our drill work. We'll do it when we do some DOD or ODO stuff, but that's mostly when we use it. We did it with every breakdown drill we did. I felt like we had a little sense of urgency when Iowa scores 19 points off of their offensive rebounding opportunities. We let that happen and that's in our control and they know that. They will welcome that challenge and were disappointed that I was harping on them."
(On the upsets in the tournaments)
"I don't think in this tournament that you ever do that. Just look at the scores from the men's first round. Ohio is the number nine seed in the MAC Tournament and they just beat Georgetown yesterday. I think that it's changed in the last five years with the gap closing. It is good teams going head to head right out of the gates. We'll give our best efforts out there tomorrow and play the best basketball we can play and hopefully survive and advance."
Bowling Green State University
Head Coach Curt Miller
(On how Michigan State has changed since they last played)
"If you look at the Michigan State program from December of this year they have developed into one of the best defensive teams in the country. They rewrote the Big Ten record books in defensive statistics this year. Actually over the past 17 or 18 games they have absolutely been shutting down people. I think that has been a gradual process over the last three years for Michigan State and now they make every shot hard and they contest. They do a great job at defending the arc and they are one of the best shot blocking teams in the country. I think the biggest change when you talk about Michigan State is how talented they are defensively. It is very difficult to get out of the 50's against them, and that's the Big Ten and some major competition. We don't want to play a grind out game. We don't want the game in the 40's or 50's or we don't have a shot. It has been very hard for any team to do that. You have to give them a lot of credit at the defensive end."
(On Michigan State's 2-3 zone.)
"Clearly we're one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country. At times their zone is going to make mistakes. Our team has found ways to make shots against the zone. Hopefully we will break it down. Against man-to-man, we are a ball screen offense. We rely a lot on penetration. In the MAC where we have similar athleticism and similar skills, even though they know you and everything you're trying to accomplish, our penetration has helped us create open shots with penetration and kick, penetration and dumps. Against a Michigan State team that can switch you one through five and their post players can be more athletic than your guards. It is a real challenge for us to be able to create shots for each other. That's why you heard the players mention this; they have the ability to shut down our offense. They have the ability to shut us down and keep us in the 30's. We have to make contested shots if we're going to try to make a run at this. Our kids know that and they're not going to shy from that and if its one of those nights where we can make some tough plays, we can hang in there."
(On Michigan State's game plan.)
"We can try to find the match-up advantages that we like. They're going to post their big wings against our wings. They're going to challenge Lauren (Prochaska) from the beginning to the end. They have the size advantage in the post so they're going to want to spread us out and try to pound. We can pick out all the plays they're going to do. We have to do the same thing. We've got to play hard on the perimeter. How can we attack them to get the switch that we want? These are chess matches and I've had chess matches for years. The great news is that we know a lot about each other. The bad news is that we know a lot about each other. We talked as a coaching staff; we were so genuinely excited that once we got to the NCAA Tournament we were going to play someone that didn't know us. Low and behold we draw Michigan State and they know everything that we do. We lost that potential advantage that we had against Oklahoma State or that we had against Vanderbilt and the other teams that we played when we made that run in the NCAA Tournament."
(On Suzy Merchant)
"I'm really proud of her. She is such a hard worker. She deserves all the credit because she is a workaholic. There are not very many people that are going to outwork Suzy in Division I. It is fun to see a MAC coach move on and have success. Our league is loaded with talented coaches and I don't think they get the credit they deserve. Suzy does a really fantastic job and I really believe they are a sleeper team for the Final Four this year."
(On a higher seed preparing for a lower seed)
"I think it is great for our players. It gives a boost to our players. We have talked about upsets and we can do this. I tried to goad Suzy into how is Kentucky looking. They are looking great. In Suzy's true form she says 'I haven't watched a second of Kentucky, I've only watched you and spent all my time preparing for you.' We're not going to get Suzy to overlook us. Now she has a rallying cry after seeing what happened in the men's tournament. I'm trying to get her attention on Kentucky but she won't bite."
(On relationship with Suzy Merchant)
"We have an unbelievable amount of respect for each other. All the years we've played against each other, obviously we had the two best teams in the MAC. It is a competitive rivalry and we really want to beat each other. It is a very respectful rivalry. The respect and how we prepare and what we put into it, our plans and preparation is very, very mutual. I think it all comes from respect. There are times when it was awkward because we so badly wanted to beat each other that we had to go through each others programs to win the MAC title. When you take a step back and you look at the discipline and the fundamentals, the teams reaching their potential that Suzy coaches, and vice versa, I think it's really taken on when you sit back and mature as a coach you really respect the job that the other does. We're each others fans. We follow each other closely."
(On defensive matchups Lauren Prochaska may face)
"I think we all foresee a matchup between Lykendra Johnson and Lauren Prochaska. What a great matchup this is going to be. Lykendra is a fantastic athlete at the offensive end. I doubt we'll change our game plan. At the offensive end I think they're going to post Lauren up and try to get on the offensive glass. Lykendra is one of the best offensive rebounders in the conference and playing in the tournament. At the other end I think Lykendra is going to dog her all over the floor. We do a lot of ball screens and we really believe in the ball screen offense. I think they'll keep trapping, hedging, and switching bigger people onto her. Could they triangle and two her or box and one her, and do something even that remote? Absolutely, I don't put anything past Suzy. I think they're going to give a lot of attention to Lauren and we realize that. We are going to have to get her open. I think the biggest compliment to Lauren is that she is really productive without a lot of volume. There are a lot of great players out there who need a lot of volume and a lot of opportunities to get their points. She is very patient in allowing the offense to come to her. She is a really, really sharp player. Her three point shooting is efficient and therefore she is unselfish and she realizes when people concentrate on her we have to get other people involved in our offense."
Bowling Green Players
Junior guard Lauren Prochaska
(What do you remember about the last time that you played Michigan State?)
"It was two years ago in the WNIT. They were a very physical team and very well coached, tough, strong, just a great all-around team. Their guards can post you up as well as step out and shoot an outside shot. Their post is the same. All of their players are very well-rounded and they are just an overall great team."
(The last time you played Michigan State you scored 24 points against them. What does that do for your confidence?)
"I don't really remember a whole lot about it. It was the last game of our season. It doesn't really carry over into this game at all. I'm going to have to work really hard to get open shots in the game tomorrow and to just get open on the wings. They are a great team defensively and it will be tough to get shots."
(You all faced Ohio State earlier in the year; can you compare and contrast them?)
"They're both in the Big Ten and really great teams. Against Ohio State we struggled in the first half and never really did get into rhythm. I think a lot of nerves got to us that game and that's what we need to try to do better by trying to come out ready to play this game. We know that they are a great team but we can't be scared to come out and play." (Lauren you are the focal point of a lot of team's defenses. How do you get open for shots and what do they do against you?)
"Coach does a great job of calling plays to me where he knows that I can get open. He knows where I can get shots on the floor. My teammates do a great job of executing these plays and setting the screens in the right places to get me open. The point guards do a getting the ball down the floor and getting the ball to me."
(Does having played Michigan State before minimize some of the 12-5 factor in terms of seeds?)
"I think it will be a great game because we know them very well and they know us very well. We are very familiar with each other and I think that it makes it fun for both teams because there will be a large crowd from both schools and it will be a really exciting atmosphere."
(ESPN listed on their website a list of players to watch. You were one of them. Does that give you confidence or add pressure in any way?)
"I think it's a great honor for them to say that about me but I definitely have to go out and prove that I can play well. I have to show that I can play hard and that I can play good. It doesn't really do anything for me except show that I have to play good."
Senior Guard Tamika Nurse
(What does Michigan State's length advantage do against your game?)
"Michigan State is a great defensive team; you can tell by their numbers that they are one of the greatest defensive teams in Big Ten history. We have to stick to our game plan and to continue to work to get open on the wings and to use start and stop to get them the ball. Basically, it's a team effort to move the ball around the court against them. They are a very good defense."
(What is different from the games that you lost in January?)
"I think that we peaked at the right moment. I think we came together and worked harder in practice. I think we felt that sense of urgency to finish our season on a positive note. I think in the MAC Tournament we showed a better balance of an inside/outside game and that helped us be more successful in the big scheme of things. I think we are more confident at this point in time and that we as a unit are really relying on each other and we have a lot of respect for one another."
(Will you talk about the importance of your three-point game as a team, and does their length affect that?)
"They are very, very long. It will be important for us to get uncontested shots and its going to be a game where you have to make some contested shots. You have to make big shots. I don't think any of us have ever shied away from that moment. I think that we have the confidence to step up and make shots and to keep taking shots if they don't go in. I think that is what's essential; we don't have that fear to not take the next one."
(What makes Lauren so good?)
"Lauren is one of the best finishers that I've ever seen. She is definitely one of the best basketball players that I have ever played with. She can shoot with someone in her face and she is long. What is best about Lauren that a lot of people don't realize is that Lauren is a phenomenal defender. She gets a lot of steals, lay-ups and she keeps you honest on both ends of the floor. That's hard to go out there and score all those points and to come down and work just as hard on the defensive end every play of every game. She doesn't sit on the bench very often during a game. Lauren is one of those special players that some get to play with and I am just glad that I have the opportunity to play with her."
Senior forward Tara Breske
(What inside against them are you expecting against (Allyssa) DeHaan? What do you remember and what can you do to neutralize her?)
"She definetly has a height advantage, wingspan. I'm a lot smaller than she is so I'm going to try to use my quickness to get my shot off or to go at her to just help my team. Just the length advantage, we still need inside presence against them."
