UConn Postgame Quotes

Oklahoma State Head Coach Brad Underwood Opening Statement:

"Nine of their first 10 from three in the second half, I was concerned to say the least. I think we saw the fight that a Kevin Ollie team is going to have. Tough, tenacious. Had another little setback tonight with Terry going down.

But that team did not quit. I thought Rodney Purvis was off the chart. They get those kind of performances from the back court with he and Adams. They're playing a young group of guys and they fought tonight.

I thought we got off to a great start. I thought our defensive intensity was bothersome for them. And I love the fact we had 18 steals. That's a great number. That means we're being active and bothersome now.

We weren't very smart in terms of committing three fouls on a free throw or four fouls on a free throw, missed free throw. We have to be smarter than that. Gave them opportunities to score with the clock off. But these two guys here to my left were outstanding. I thought they managed the game very well. And obviously it's disappointing that Phil missed a free throw. He doesn't do that very often. And then Jawun gets to the line 17 times. I think we lead the country in free throw attempts. And these two guys are awfully hard to guard and that's a great weapon.

So I am very pleased and the other big step for me is 61 field goal attempts. We had eight more field goal attempts than them. And that's partly in response to the 18 steals."

On team being underestimated:

"I think we have good players who are really good people who are trying to work really hard. I worry about all the predictions and the preseason stuff so little that I didn't even know we were picked seventh.

It's not something I pay attention to, to be quite honest. We try to get better every day. We beat a very good UConn team today, and tomorrow when you're in a tournament you don't get very long to enjoy it. You've got to bounce back and tomorrow we'll try to get a little better."

On defensive effort:

Jawun Evans:

"Just being out there on defense and then transitioning to offense and scoring the bucket."

Phil Forte, III:

"Like Jawun said, giving up 90 points still is not what we're necessarily about. We have some things we have to finish and how to close the game and everything. But in a tournament a win is a win, so we survive and advance. We get ready to play a good team tomorrow."

UConn Head Coach Kevin Ollie Opening Statement:

"Oklahoma State, giving them credit, played very, very hard. They shot the ball very well from the 3-point line. We were down 19 with nine minutes to go, and I just love my kids' effort. They tried to get back in the game. I think we cut it to four, but it was just a little bit too late. And we just have to start off a little stronger and we've got to take care of the ball a little bit more.

But I love the fight in our guys. We got some guys injured. We're young, but we're not making excuses. We don't accept losing, but we're just going to keep getting better and better. And hopefully these guys will be my leaders, and I know they will."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Jawun Evans

Phil Forte, III

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