Post-Game Quotes vs. Penn State
12/11/2021 4:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo
Opening Statement...
Well coming off a good road win, in the Big Ten and every win in the Big Ten on the road is a good win. Getting back late at night and not making excuses but we knew this was going to be a little bit more of a tougher day. I was disappointed in our start because we had a good practice Friday, we didn't do much Thursday, but we had a good practice Friday. I just felt like we came out and again did not do the things that we were supposed to do offensively we were going inside, and we didn't do a good job on that. Defensively I thought we were a step slow, we weren't pressuring up, we didn't look like one of the best defensive teams in the country and then we turned it over, what five out of our first eight possessions. Then we bared down in the next 15 minutes, had one turnover. Widened the lead, played really well. 10-minute mark we had a time out and told them this is where we grow now, 19 up all of a sudden, a bad shot, bad turnover and bad defense play and it cut down to what 13 or whatever it was. So, there's enough to be upset about but there is enough to feel good about. I mean we are getting better. Each day were getting a little better and we do have a variety of people scoring and it's nice to see Max hit his shot but didn't get as many as I thought he could. It was nice to see Gabe make some shots, but I thought he missed a couple of good looks. Marcus with his double double after a slow start was really good and I thought Tyson Walker is starting to play better and better and better. That was the third team that I think field goals percentage is in the 40's. I think Penn State, I think he's a damn good coach, his team is well prepared, they run good stuff, they're solid defensively, they run out of gas a little bit because they do not have as many subs right now. He'll get that thing going I think for sure.
About Tyson Walker and his balance...
I think he's just getting a feel for things. The next feel will be when to pull up and take that three because he's a very good three-point shooter. Once in a while both of those guys get carried away a little deep, you have to realize at this level there's going to be more seven-footers in there and there's going to be more bigger guys. As far as when they're just dribbling in and we had a couple turnovers, AJ did on that. I thought Tyson played awfully well, he had nine assists, he had 10 points, he almost had a double-double. We had some other guys that I just thought did a very good job. Joey's playing better. For Malik we had a couple of great plays, but Malik said he had no energy and I thought that's the way he played defensively because he really is one of our best defenders. Tyson, the guy that sirs the drink normally gets the team going and he's that guy now and it's been fun to watch.
About losing the turnover battle, but winning games...
If I was to be cocky and arrogant maybe I would say that's how good we could be if we would ever quit turning the damn ball over, but I don't know the answer. It's talked about, it's worked on, I mean 11, but it's way below our average and yet. The way they come in bunches and the way they come. I think part of it is we're still playing nine, ten guys and there's not a feel. We're playing two and a half freshmen. I think that's part of it, but I think we are trying to do too much to let the game come to us. I think we're taking it to the game at times that we shouldn't and trying to make 50 and 40% passes instead of 70 and 80 and 90 percent passes. But it has been strange, normally when you lose the turnover battle, especially but if you really look at it the big games where we lost it, that were turnovers for touchdowns. This is such a misleading stat and everybody, I think you know it, but if not I'll try to educate myself and you. When it says 18 points off turnovers that does not mean direct, because any time you turn the ball over the next possession, you could throw it out of bounds and they would count it. We keep stats of the last game I think we had 9 direct, we turned it over they had a layup, a layup, and a three or something. Those kinds of stats are what we look for. Kansas I think we had 11 points, they had 11 points directly off our turnover. That means those are indefensible, they're breakaways, they're pick sixes as Mel would call them. That is the most frustrating, when you kick it out of bounds it bothers the coach but your defense, especially if they're good has a chance. When you do it the other way you have no chance and we have made more than a few of those and we're trying to correct. Hell you guys should be more positive, we haven't stepped out of bounds in two games. Â
On fastbreak scoring...
I think a lot of both, I think cleaner rebounds when you defend well. Marky got some big rebounds, we're getting better outlets than we used to get. One of the reasons our point guards are getting out to the wings where we want them instead of the middle of the court asking for the ball. We're starting to run our break, we're getting both lanes filled, we're getting a guy down the middle, were getting some continuity. We have Joey down the middle, get Marky down the middle now we have guys wide open on the wings. I didn't think Gabe shot it very well, and Max still hasn't shot it like I know he can shoot it. But Gabe has been shooting really well, he missed some wide open ones. All that being said and done, what did we shoot 43% from the three and 52% overall. I mean it wasn't that long ago we were in the 20's and we were complaining about how we shot so. I still have a lot to complain about but I have a lot to feel good about. What really has pleased me is I go to practice and I say to my staff, we got a little better today, we're getting a little better. We have a long way to go because we're not an ultra talented team. We got to have some depth and we still have some youth that are going to make some mistakes but we're going to get better, I really believe that.
On Marcus Bingham Jr. shooting threes...
Well if it's an inside out kick out three that's why I laugh, if it was one like Minnesota, I don't laugh and him and I have an agreement on that. I'm going to win the agreement I promise, it's a shame whether he likes it or not he has a lethal jump hook that he doesn't throw very often, he's turning out to be, I think he's in the high 70's from the free throw line. The NBA ruins us, we shoot threes and Marcus Bingham has a, he's got even a great left hand jump hook that you guys have never seen except you guys who come to practice. Inside out Marcus is a good, between the legs, swing swing fire it. I'm not a big analytics guy but the analytics on that are not as positive.
About Bingham Jr. and how he can hold his own and the growth that is being seen...
Yeah, strength wise especially and I don't see him just jogging up and down the floor right now. I see a better conditioned and a stronger Marcus Bingham. Like today he was glued in. He knew he screwed up a couple of things that we wanted to do early and he took it, when he does that I'm on his side. This kid is, his best basketball is ahead of him and I just hope it's ahead next game. We keep growing with him, this he can consistently do that, I really believe that. And if he does he's going to make a name for himself. We'll keep working on it, he'll keep working on it but I was really pleased by how he played and after those first five minutes.
On Jaden Akins...
Jaden is a fun kid to coach. Because he can take it. He understands it. He is a 3.9 student; he is smart. He works his tail off. He is in every day. He has an incredible demeanor about him. Sometimes you sign guys, and sometimes they are not as good as what you sign. And sometimes you sign guys and go, 'wow, that guy is better than I thought he was.' And Jaden is in that category, he is still a little like Rock (Rocket Watts) was, a little like Gabe (Brown). The game is still quick for him, and he is even quicker for the game. And as he slows down and sees things, he can really make plays, he can shoot, he can pass, he can defend with anybody, he can rebound with any guard we have had since Charlie (Bell). I love Jaden, I absolutely love him.
On tightening the rotation...
With Mady playing five, he didn't get double digits, but six minutes and he played awfully well, and I think he is getting better. But it is very hard to play more than ten guys. We really think that Pierre is going to be a helluva player, but Pierre started a little bit later. He got back a month out of school; he has some things he has to work on. He is playing better and better. We put him on the scout team like we have a lot of guys, (like) Xavier Tillman and everyone else. Trying to get him more reps and more playing time. That's what bothers me when you get a 20-point lead. Something else you all should understand, our schedule rank in the top one, two, five, seven, depending on if you want to call all teams BCF (BCS) schools. And so, you don't get to have those cupcakes where everyone gets to get loose, it's too bad Max (Christie) probably didn't play in that. But it is going to benefit us later, but it is hard to get guys some time now. Leads get cut, and you got big leads and how fast they get cut with the three-point shot. So, no, I don't think we are trying to narrow anything down yet. We are just trying to figure out who can help us, who is improving, and remember what you see in the game is just a small part of what is going on. Usually for every game, we have three practices, we have had thirty some practices already. It is what goes on in practice and how much guys get better.
On the team's depth and balance...
I think at times it does, and then defensively they got to do the same thing. I thought AJ (Hoggard) did some good things too. Just trying to get these guys to figure out that. Take the ball too far if you don't. And I think there are some kickouts we can still be getting, we are getting people who are swarming us. The first two plays, we sit there get a dig on the post, we are dribbling the ball up here, they turn it over, both guys did. We still got a lot of work to do on that, but we also have made more progress defensively, we seem to guard this stuff better than we are offensively right now. That'll be what this break will be for, offenses are always behind the defenses and we will try to do a better job of that as a staff, and maybe it will help our guys.
On additional practice opportunities due to limited upcoming games...
I think so, the problem is, we have never had a schedule like this. We had a couple things that changed this year, we had the Gavitt Games. So, we had the Gavitt, the Big Ten/ACC, the Tournament of Champions, the three down in Puerto Rico. Which we had no chance to change the schedule, we had no chance to maneuver games around like we normally would because so many of those were tied in. So we had three games to move, we had to play one right after Kansas and one when we came back. So normally we would like to sprinkle in a game like Sunday maybe. We just couldn't do it this year because of the brutal schedule, and how many games are games that are picked by people, not by KP (Kevin Pauga) or us. In other words, we don't have the flexibility on those six games I just talked about, so it makes it a little harder on us to balance it out. It's our fifth home game, there are a lot of teams, I think Kentucky has played nine. So, I feel good about where we are on that, some of the things that hurt is less practice time. Because we had to sandwich in eleven games in just over a month. Just think about that and how hard it is to get better, so I go to be a little understanding about that too.
Michigan State senior forward Gabe Brown
On getting out in transition...
That was something that coach wanted us to focus on today. After watching film on the team he said it wasn't a very good transition team. We preach 'run, run, run,' Especially run in transition. That was something that we wanted to capitalize on tonight.
On setting the tone offensively...
I think it's just kind of happened. The point guards just kind of find me, I find open looks for myself sometimes. It just happens. I try to be more and more aggressive each and every game. Today, I got a text message from someone that said I scored like eight points in like five minutes. It was crazy. It's just the point guards. They find me in transition, finding me on the wing. I've been able to knock down shots.
On team chemistry...
So like when Tyson first came, we didn't really know each other. Not the guys that have been here, but like Tyson and the freshman. We didn't really get to know each other. But right now, it's the closest I've ever been with guys on the team. I've been with Cassius. I've been with the top guys before, we've all been close. But this team, just feels different. We connect all as one. We go everywhere with each other. We eat together. We're in here together. We work out together. Ever since like two months ago it's just been like brother-ship. We've been brothers.
Michigan State senior forward Marcus Bingham Jr.
On if he saw Izzo chuckling after the made 3-pointer...
Yeah, I should have blown a kiss to him. That's my next celebration to him.
On his rebounding in a tough matchup...
I'm trying to get better every game. Whoever is in front of me, who ever is my matchup. I didn't even look at this, but he got his average in points so I didn't do too good of a job tonight on him. But I feel like if I'm active and I'm around the rim grabbing boards. I'm helping my teammates to start our run game. It just shows the energy that I'm bringing to the team, everyone's feeding off of it. Getting a rebound or getting fouled. Going back to the bench and hearing all the love and praise from my teammates is good for me.
On the team coming together...
I feel like every day in the locker room, It starts in the locker room with us. I tell them every time, even if I have a meeting with coach and it's him harping on stuff that I need to get better on. I can go back to the locker room and get that joy with the team and stuff like that. Everyone's taking the initiative of being there. Everyone is hyped up. And everyone is in there cheering each other on. And I feel like we're growing. We're growing as people too. I feel after basketball with this group of guys. Like the guys from three years ago I'll always have relationships with them.
On staying focused on his goals...
Yeah, a lot of work we did this summer and myself. Taking that initiative and taking it seriously. Writing my goals down every day and then looking at them in the mirror before I go to workout or go lift. Just striving for my goals. It's one thing that I'm really big on this year. I just want to keep doing it everyday. I look at them everyday and keep working for them.
Michigan State junior guard Tyson Walker
On balance between creating for others and being aggressive to score…
It just took a little while to get comfortable. But I'm definitely way more comfortable now than I was before, just figuring everything out. Just where (to) get shots from, when I could take one, when to get someone else a shot because they haven't shot one in a while. So, it's definitely all just flowing out.
On the process of getting more comfortable…
Just over time, like practice is one thing, but (with) games, you just figure out how people guard. (The) more film you watch, you just understand where people want to get their shot from.
On being annoyed after his only turnover of the game…
I was hoping to get a turnover-free game and then that would have been my 10th assist. I've never had a double double. So, I didn't know I had nine assists either (at that time).
On responding with points after opposing team makes a basket…
I feel like teams think because they scored, I think they kind of relax and then I just come and get a basket. Now it's like (for them) 'our point didn't really even matter'.
On if adjustments have come around the past few weeks due to game action…
Yeah, the games I feel like are way different than the practice, because in practice we guard each other and we know what we're trying to do, so it's kind of hard to get a rhythm of knowing where we are going to get our shots from. In games, it's being consistent where we are getting our shots from and how we're getting them. So, it's definitely better playing the games over time, getting more comfortable.
On being a point guard under Head Coach Tom Izzo…Â
At first, it was kind of hard but we're getting better. He's kind of changing, trying to help people understand more. So, it's definitely been a good relationship, it's gotten way better. We have to be him on the court now … Just recognizing he knows he's talking about and I don't know everything. Just listening.
On his ceiling rising helping the team's ceiling grow too…Â
Yeah, when I'm pushing the ball, and I'm playing defense, we are a way better team than if I'm not doing those things. I just got to keep doing my job and we'll just keep getting better.
Penn State Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry
Opening statement...
Coming into this game, I told our guys in the locker room that you have to understand how Michigan State is going to play. You can't take the first few minutes to adjust to that. I thought we did that. They really pushed the ball down the court, they got layups. They got open threes. Now they start felling good about themselves. And when they're doing that they're a really hard team to stop. They score in the paint and they score on the perimeter. You have to make it hard on them early. They were flying down the court and that's what you expect. Told our guys, I've been watching, coaching the Big Ten for four years. And I've been watching Big Ten basketball since I was like eight years old. I've seen this story. I've seen this team play. I know how they're going to do it. I need to prepare them better the next time so they know we can't be surprised by the first initial flurry.
On Tyson Walker...
You can see him getting comfortable in what he's doing. He's pushing the ball with so much pace. He's shooting the ball phenomenally. But he's picking his spots when he shoots his threes. But he puts so much pressure on the defense to get back and stop him. He did a great job of coming off pick and rolls. In terms of how we were guarding him, kind of using his body to box out and kicking it across to guys that were helping. That's a play that an older player makes. That a senior makes. Seeing it. Recognizing it. Watching film throughout the week. He's been great. I think nine assists, one turnover. That's what you need in a point guard and you can see his transition as this season has gone on.
On cold start from three...
We shoot a bunch of three's. But we also want to attack and do some other things. We can't live and die with our shooting in our offense. We have to defend, and we didn't defend early in the game. For them to get 20 fast-break points in the first half, you shouldn't do that in a game. We didn't deserve to make shots. The basketball gods learn don't reward you for not sprinting back on defense and let you make 12 threes. Every kid in America lives and dies off their offense instead of gritting their teeth and really sitting down and guarding. Sometimes you get rewarded for that with your shot going in when you haven't made one in a while. We did make some. We got a little more comfortable but it was too little to late.
On limited depth in his rotation...
There's nothing we can do about it. I tell our guys all the time, nobody in the Big Ten feels sorry for us. Nobody cares about my situation or our situation. You have to play as hard as possible in this league and compete at a high level. We're ten games in, we haven't played very man guys in ten games so it's not going to change. Not that much. We're adding guys back. Greg Lee played today. He's going to play more minutes for us as we start to get healthier and get guys back. You have to compete. You have to fight. There's no sympathy. Every single night this league is tough and it's unforgiving. If you're not ready for that, this league is not for you.
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