Post Game Quotes: Penn State
2/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Michigan State Men's Basketball Coach Tom Izzo
Opening statement...
Well as a coach, there were a lot of different emotions today. One, is because I have great respect for Pat (Chambers) and the job he has done. And you know, we went into this game looking at Penn State and knowing that they beat Iowa and Indiana. And you know, we haven't beaten Iowa yet and they're playing some of their best basketball. When I say that we gave it our full prep, I mean, we made the game as big of a deal as we could because they have been playing good and we also wanted to accomplish some things - which I think we did end up accomplishing.
Early on, I talked to our guys about how we are going to have those games where our shots are not going in and that's what happened; the shots weren't going in. Denzel (Valentine) was 0-6, the team was 3-15, that's even worse. Then we went about 14 for the next 18, but our defense and rebounding is what kept us in the game and that's the way it has got to be if you're going to win and move forward here.
I felt a little bad for Zel (Denzel) because I thought he had some great looks, but didn't go in. Bryn (Forbes) had some great looks - didn't go in. Zel had some assists that ended up fouls so you don't count them. Denzel was valuable again because he did a lot of things: got guys to the line, got them in foul trouble, he made some big shots second half, he made some great passes. And we did miss some shots early, and then all of a sudden it was kind of our day. At the end there, those seniors probably deserve to play a little bit more, but those other guys do so much for me that I felt like I deserved to play them a little more and sometimes it doesn't work out as good as you'd like it to, but I'm not going to let that dampen an incredible day. Our guys inside came to play, I would love a question on why I jumped Matt Costello and Deyonta (Davis) because those guys played like men today. And (Gavin) Schilling too, had a couple man rebounds and that's the difference. And you know, if we play like that inside, our guards will be good enough. Eron Harris missed some great shots too, but he played hard defensively. Our defense today was stellar for most of the game. We got a little lazy later but we rebounded well and we did get to the line, we just didn't make some free throws, which was disappointing to me. But, it was nice to see Matt back to a double-double, especially with only playing 19 minutes, so that's pretty impressive. Today, I thought we took a step forward.
On improving shooting percentage throughout game...
I think what it is, is that it makes me think that they are listening. And the reason I say that. We have to have our defense if our shots aren't going in, and then in a couple of the huddles I told them that I thought we hate some great shots, they just weren't going in. So maybe it's a surprise so some of our guys but learn to live with it. This is the way it is normally; it's not always about how many shots we made. So as long as we keep getting good shots, like in the first half I'm pretty sure I could count on a couple of fingers how many bad shots we took, so I have no problem. Bryn, Denzel, and Eron had some wide open ones, yet they just didn't hit them. I think it was a good learning lesson and I really appreciated the way we just kept checking them and no one got down on it. So I do think that's the step in the right direction.
On transition game...
You know, that's what we talked to our guys about what was so impressive. Nobody would understand that, and I am really impressed that one of our media guys did, but Costello running the floor really opened it up for Forbes. And last game, our bigs were not running the floor. So, it's kind of funny how they feed off of each other. But, I think if we would have hit the shots that we have been making or if we didn't get fouled on some of those that would have been layups, I think Denzel would have had a ton of assists. Our break was good because our defense was good. Our rebounding was good because our offense was good. So that means you break better. But it's so funny how they all fit together and that's what we're trying to sell for our teams. So, I have to figure out how did I sell my media better than my team, because it's taking them longer to figure out that you guys. I thought at times our break was exceptional.
On sympathizing with Coach Pat Chambers...
Yeah, because I am telling you, he is a good coach. I mean his team has won four out of five and are really growing and making some plays. I just talked to him and I told him, you know, that unfortunately I did think that call was the right one. Maybe there was some calls before that one, I don't know, but, you know we're all frustrated sometimes with different things. But, this is a good coach who has busted his butt and has some good young kids that are getting better and played pretty well.
I thought our defense was the difference in the game so that's why I struggled actually. You know, I have some players that are up for some awards and things like that and I'm pulling them out with 11, 12 minutes left of the game. I'll be honest with you all, I struggled with that because I sometimes I don't think others do. But you know, what I was really excited about is how Denzel, Matt, and Bryn handled it. It was important that Matt got a double-double today because we just wanted to make sure everybody understood that he and I were on the same page and we were. So, if Pat wouldn't have gotten thrown out, I probably would have kept them in longer but my heart overlooked my head and that's what I did.
On impressive post play...
We're two for two with you guys today. That's a good thing to see, too. The inside-out is what we worked on really hard the last few days. In fact, yesterday's practice, you couldn't shoot outside until it went inside first. And it could only be an inside pass that we could shoot it off of or a post-pass. So, you know, as coaches we're trying to improve, as players we're trying to improve. It's nice when you can see those things happening. And it is against a good team. I'm not saying they're a great team but this team has played very well and extremely well as of late. So I think, one more step. We have a large ladder to climb here but step-by-step, day-by-day, we're just trying to get better. I said to my team that my AD called me last night and said, `you know what, we've had three great days of practice.' You know, that's kind of un-American for me to say that, but I felt good about it. Sure enough, we practiced well, we play well and I think that's encouraging too, it'll give me something to build on with them as we get a little tough stretch ahead. You know, we've had a stretch but then all of a sudden we go to three games in six days, one on the road, and then our farthest road game, so it'll be important that we stay together.
On (Deyonta) Davis' defense on Taylor...
We gave him the old Michael Jordan four and six eyes. A couple of times our guards did not get down in there as well as they should have. When that happened, DD (Deyonta Davis) did it on his own. He's starting to realize that he can't block every shot; his timing's getting better, but Matt Costello blocked some too. What I really enjoyed was DD made a double drop move. It's a move that they work on a lot and Matt (Costello) was more excited when he made it than DD. That's what's starting to happen. Our upperclassmen have been unbelievable all year. We're in this press conference and I'm giving them too much credit and then it's back to doggy-dog time. But they are getting better and I think DD has kind of figured it out.
On who he was impressed with when there was seven minutes to go...
DD (Deyonta Davis). I told him that he's got knees that have never been scratched and that if he could get a floor burn today then I'd hug and kiss him. I didn't quite do that but when I saw him lay out on the floor I said "he's growing up." He's making progress. It sounds crazy. If you ask any one of our guys, it was mentioned in the pregame. I was proud of him that he's gradually learning what he's got to do.
On time for Tum Tum Nairn and post performance...
Yeah, we might have given him too many minutes. I just wanted to see how everything went. I wanted to get him some time.
As far as our bigs, you have to ask them. They've been working hard all year. The difference of intensity is magnified with both of those guys. DD (Deyonta Davis) is a step weak, Matt (Costello) is a step slow. If you don't have your intensity those things get magnified. If you do, then the other great skills that you have can take over. I thought Matt Costello got some two hand rebounds that I haven't seen in a while. And they (Penn State) were big, they had some size in there at times. The most fun in coaching is to address something and get a response. Think about the second half of that game on Tuesday. We got a response that carried over to practice. Now look at this, we got a response. We're not done pushing buttons we have to get responses on a lot of things. We have to get our free throw shooting back on track, our zone offense wasn't great, so there is still a lot of things to work on.
On communication from the three seniors (Matt Costello, Denzel Valentine, Bryn Forbes)...
It's kind of funny because in the middle of the game and all of a sudden (MSU assistant coach Dane) Fife says `listen to those three guys talking.' He even included Eron Harris in there. So, I'd have to agree. Communication is a big part. The guy we have to get to communicate better is DD (Deyonta Davis). Eron (Harris) is doing a great job and DD is improving gradually. That makes you a much better defensive team because there's a comfort level out there when you hear other people talking to you. It's like being in a dark room, it's not as scary if you hear a bunch of people talking. If they get blown by, they feel better if they get help.
On what to improve on for the tournament...
Inside when we got it in there a couple of times it was good. Post moves we have to work on. (Gavin) Schilling made some decent moves and didn't finish. He fumbled the ball some. Eron Harris has got to shoot the ball better. He's been shooting the ball really well in practice. We probably have to get him more touches. We did run a few things and got him off a few screens today. He came off of them great. I think we'll improve that. Some of that is him, some of that is the coaches. Players have to improve on some things, coaches have to improve on some things. I think we're getting a little bit more of a substitution pattern. I think we're starting to feel a little bit more comfortable on what we do. I thought we got a little more out of Marv (Marvin Clark Jr.), he went in there and rebounded. He played with aggression and I think he played 12 or 13 minutes. We've got a long ways to go because at times we're not as good against small teams. At times we're not as good against big teams. What we have been is pretty consistent in executing our offense. That is encouraging because I believe somehow as we get down to the nitty gritty, our defense is going to get rock solid. I thought you could see some improvement today. There was a little bit of a problem when we got a big lead. We relaxed a little bit, and got fouls like we did earlier in the year. I really believe that that was the game rather than the individual athlete.
On scoreboard watching and potentially getting a number one seed...
Probably this year more than ever I have done less scoreboard watching and less talking about that. We talked a little bit about this week after Purdue beat Maryland yesterday (2/27). Last night we said, `hey, there's a little crack in the door and we need to take care of our business.' If somebody helps us, they help us. If they don't, I'm cool with that. That's about all we did there. As far as nationally, I just watch those teams to see why I think they're losing. Why is it that they are getting fat and sassy? Is it that they're not coming to play? Is it that some team just plays better? I'm trying to look at the different reasons and our battle cry lately is, "let's be different." Let's not get caught up worrying about the rankings, worrying about this and that. Let us be different by not having let downs. It's been different for me. Not many times have we had three games left, and not had this shot. It's a long, long, long, long shot. When it comes time for the tournaments, either one of them, bad free throw shooting could send you home. A couple of missed rebounds could send you home. A couple of bad turnovers could send you home. Not playing scared, just playing educated. That's what I have been trying to work on this week and I think we made some progress today.
On Bryn (Forbes) exceeding expectations...
Yeah, yeah Bryn (Forbes) has. I love Bryn. He's been guarding really well. He always wants to please and wants to work. He's in this gym more than anybody including Denzel (Valentine). Bryn Forbes has made himself a player. He's going to play somewhere. He just shoots it so well. He's been pretty solid defensively. I thought he could be a good player for us. He's turned out to be a great player for us. Hopefully that'll continue because we need him. If you look at our losses, a lot of it revolved around him playing bad or people taking him away. I think he's a better player now because he knows how to use those screens, and it doesn't take him long to get his shot off and that's been encouraging.
Closing Statement...
To close it up I'd say that today was a strange day. I feel for Pat (Chambers). It was a tough day for them. They're a better team than they played. I thought we were a better team than we shot the first half. I thought we did a lot of good things that are going to help us. If we keep growing and don't have any distractions, I think we have a chance to make a run here. That's what it's all about this time of year.
Senior Guard Denzel Valentine
We had a lot to play for. Penn State is a good team and we know that they can come out and get fired up and hit shots early. We just wanted to come out and get them out of their comfort zone and try and play the best that we can.
On the defensive pressure put on Penn State standout guard Shep Garner...
Eron [Harris] was probably the MVP of today's game. He played the best defense you probably can play on him. Garner is a good player and is going to hit shots, but Eron kept his composure, getting over the ball screens and guarding him full-court. Eron has really made himself into a complete basketball player.
On the ability to play nine players off the bench...
That was very important because you never know who you might need in the tournament or the Big Ten Tournament if somebody gets in foul trouble or we're not playing well. So we need to get everybody in there playing and get some time in.
Freshman Forward Deyonta Davis
On the focus the team showed to start the game...
It really just came from practice the last few days. We had a mindset that we were going to come in and win this game.
On the team's ability to maintain its defensive pressure...
We just came out fast, knowing that if we let up we would be giving them a chance to win. So we stuck together as a team and stopped them.
Senior Forward Matt Costello
On the team's fast start...
I felt like we needed to come out with a lot of energy today because of how Penn State was playing, but also how poorly we started the Ohio State game. We kind of wanted to make a statement and show what we can do.
On the defensive pressure...
It was crazy to watch all of them foul out. We all just locked them down and tried to do our assignments the best we could.
On the month of March approaching...
March is Michigan State time, so we have an opportunity now to make a name for ourselves and finish up the season well. Hopefully that leads into a big postseason. We have a lot of goals and aspirations at the end of the season, but we need to take care of business as it comes up.
