Post-Game Quotes
11/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Opening Statement
Well we've worked harder on our offense than our defense for probably the first time in my career and probably the last time in my career. My mother is 88 and she is here tonight and a couple of our two guards have a one-on-one with her after to see if they can guard her. We did not check very well and just didn't guard anybody on the perimeter. I thought for the most part Trice played pretty well - didn't shoot as well as he's been shooting. Valentine was unbelievable, and I thought Dawson played very well in the first half but looked disinterested in the second half. Than we got guys that were up and down, we got guys that can really shoot it but you can't give up as many as you make. I thought Alvin early was not very good, in the second half he played better. Tum [Nairn] got his feet wet and I thought Marvin played better in the second half. We had some bizarre lineups to try and get some guys in there just to see what different combinations we could fit. We had five turnovers on illegal screens, which is hard to believe. I don't think we shot it very well in the second half. We didn't shoot very well from the free throw line, especially BJ [Dawson] but he's been working on that.
On what it meant to have Russell Byrd back
It's one of the cool things in my job. When a kid doesn't have as good as a career as you think, you always think it's the coach and the kid. Russ did a lot for us last year, he saved Keith when he was going through a rough times. He didn't get to play as much but he was a leader. He was a guy that would come into my office every day. When Russ mentioned it I thought it would be cool. We really appreciate the people coming here. That coach down there right now won't stop thanking me for doing it. It was nice that Russ had a good game. He shot pretty well. I think his team will get better. His coach was appreciative and we we're appreciative. I thought our fans did a nice job for him. I almost died when I thought he hurt his knee there. The night meant a lot to me and a lot to him.
On Brandon Dawson's performance in the first half
He was almost too aggressive; he was jumping on those ball screens. He doesn't realize he doesn't have Adreian behind him anymore. I thought he rebounded well; he kicked it out well and even made some shots early. That was a 22 and 12 day if he did something in the second half, he just kind of drifted around there in the second half. All in all I was pleased with Brandon for most of the game and when it mattered.
On Denzel valentine's shot
It is quicker and tighter. It's not as drawn out, the ball is locked in right there. It's better too, add that third one. One thing that has helped him is that Eron Harris is one of the toughest guys on our team to guard. Every day Denzel is asking to guard him and Trice guards him some. He played better defense this week. Bryn and Alvin are going to guard him all week and hopefully that will help them improve their defensive intensity a little bit. I thought that if you look at everything Zel [Valentine] did I thought he shot the ball well he rebounded well. He had three turnovers but one of them was on an illegal screen.
On whether he's talked to Russell Byrd about being a father
Yes, I've talked to him a lot. Before he left I talked to him and since he's been gone a lot as well. He called me Friday and Friday he told me everything was cool, everything was way late and then the next day he called me and said that he was at the hospital. So yes, I had a chance to talk to him. It was great for his parents to come up and see him. It's been a hectic couple of days for him but he was there for that and that was great. He got to be with his team and come back here. Russell loves it here. That's one of those rare moments where it was a win-win-win.
On whether the two-guard position was clarified at all
No it wasn't. There are a few things I'm worried about. I think Alvin should be a better defender and Bryn should be a better shooter. I think what's going to happen is it's not going to be a strength. You look at some things last year, and Gary [Harris] was one of the best in the entire country. That's where Brandon and Shilling maybe will have to be a bit better defensively; use their athleticism. I think we're going to be a bit better in that area. Travis is playing better defense, but I don't think that it's going to be a strength of our team. We're going to improve in that area. Friday it will be better than it was tonight. Maybe Bryn was a little nervous tonight but guys we're going around them like water through a tin horn. I got sick of telling me that I'm just a defensive coach so I wanted to prove you wrong so I did, but that's not how I'm going to win games either. We're pretty good offensively I think. I thought we missed some wide open shots. Trice has been knocking everything in and Zel [Valentine] missed some. I think we're a better offensive team just because Keith struggled so much and Zel [Valentine] wasn't the shooter that he is this year. That's a lesson for myself is that you still have to have your staples. Our defense has got to be better so we'll spend some time on that. Some of those things to be honest are things that we haven't covered. There are some things we just haven't gotten to just yet. In fairness to some of those guys who just don't know it yet. Marvin looked like a couple of times that he was on a marry-go-round, just spinning. After that he settled down and made some nice passes. We just have to flat out do a better job of keeping the guy in front of us.
On why Colby Wollenman got the start
This year I'm going to get everything straightened out. My two best students are struggling in a couple of classes and that's Costello and Schilling. There might be some bizarre things that happen this year so hold onto your hats because I'm going to nip some things in the bud. I'm tired of guys not doing what their supposed to do. It's just the way it was. They're both really good students and really good guys but at the same time if I don't tell you the truth you'll think its drugs and alcohol and it's none of that. I just said hey this time I'm not starting you. Right now I'm on a mission I'm going to make this the best program I can make it. That includes all aspects of it.
The Master's College senior guard Russell Byrd
Opening statement...
Just want to say that tonight was just really special. I'm just thankful to be back with the program, especially Coach Izzo, the fans, you guys and everybody. It's just something I'll always remember the rest of my life. I love this program, I love the people in it, and it's a really, really special place. I appreciate everything that was showed tonight.
On knowing about introduction beforehand...
No, I didn't. I was just expecting to play some basketball, but that really blew me away. That was something I'll remember for a long time. It's just really fun being back with the guys and the team. I'm thankful I had the opportunity to do that. I was thinking about doing that [kissing the Spartan head] toward the end of the game, but it was nice to get the chance early on.
On talking with teammates on the floor...
I used to push BJ [Brandon Dawson] in the back all the time at practice to try and get rebounds because he is so dang athletic. They called a push in the back call, and it wasn't on me because I didn't do it. It was on my teammates. He thought for sure it was me. [We talked about] different stuff, catching up, and talking with BJ about fatherhood. He's a father and [we talked about] different stuff like that. Talking with Zel [Denzel Valentine]. Talking trash. Anticipating their plays. They were mad at me because I said I knew all of their plays and told the rest of the guys. I said of course I did, we're trying to win a game. That back-and-forth on the court was fun. Those are some good guys out there, and they've got a lot of potential this year.
On finding out about the pregame production...
I found out during warm-ups, right before we came back out on the court. I kind of knew that was going to happen at that point. I didn't really know what to expect, but it turned out to be a pretty cool thing. I was glad I got a chance to do that tradition [kissing the Spartan head]. That was a pretty cool thing.
On the last three days...
I didn't sleep for about 38 hours. We were all there Friday, all night, and into the early morning hours of Saturday. To think about how fun this was, how great of an experience it was, the excitement of it will never ever trump the excitement I felt in that hospital room. Just getting to hold my daughter. I can't wait to see her. Getting to be there for that was just something really special to kick off these three days. The wife (former MSU women's basketball player Klarissa Bell) gave me permission to hop on a plane and enjoy this experience out here. As soon as I got out here it's just been a lot of fun. It feels like home, it doesn't feel foreign. It was good to get home again.
On talking fatherhood with Branden Dawson...
He wasn't giving me much diaper advice. I don't even know if he knows [how to do that]. I've never actually seen him do it. He was just happy for me that I got to experience it. He's obviously experienced it as well and he knows what that's like. We just kind of shared that together.
On what this year of basketball could mean for Russell...
Master's College has just been really perfect for me in terms of basketball. The people there have been very supportive and encouraging as far as my goal as a player. I think I have to go a little bit better than 7-22 [field goals] to help them out this year, but it was just something I couldn't necessarily prepare for. It was good to kind of finally hit a few shots. I'm just excited to help them in terms of athletics, as well as being a student there, being a leader in the student body, and just trying to bring some excitement to the campus. The guys I'm playing with are great guys and they're incredibly supportive. We're just going to try to play our best. We've got a lot of things to work on. We were a little out-matched tonight, but we played with heart and we're just going to keep plugging along and compete every night. I'm just excited to play another year of basketball. My calves were cramping in the last seven minutes of the game. I don't think I've played 39 minutes in about four years. I've got to get in a little better shape, but I'm excited about this year with Master's College.
On Izzone's air ball chant...
Mr. [Matt] Larson was talking to me about it and he knew exactly what I was thinking. I wouldn't have it any other way. They wouldn't be the Izzone if they didn't chant air ball. I'm just glad I made a few. They better keep doing what they do because they sure help those guys in the home games. I'm just thankful, especially to the Izzone, they were awesome. It's been great.
The Master's College Head Coach Ken Sugarman
Opening statement...
I just want to thank Michigan State for extending this opportunity for my team to come out. This was rich on a lot of levels. I couldn't think of a more professional place. Everyone has treated us with such kindness. My boys got to go into the locker room afterwards to get basketballs signed. It was a great opportunity for us. My family every year does a little bracket challenge - my wife and my two boys. Michigan State goes deep in our brackets every year, so this was a special treat for us. It was a great opportunity for our guys to come out and play a team of this caliber year in and year out. Coach Izzo just does an amazing job. It was great for our guys to be able to hang around for awhile. A couple of tough stretches for us, the game got away a little bit, but a great learning opportunity for our guys. I'm really proud of them. I thought they competed hard the whole way. That was really one of our goals. We wanted to compete for 40 minutes and I'm proud of my guys for doing that.
