Postgame Quotes: Oklahoma State vs UTRGV

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Boynton

On first half defense...
"We picked up our energy and our aggressiveness and we got some deflections that led to steals and we're able to get out on transition and get some easy baskets."

On length of team...
"We were able to throw out a lineup with young Yankuba (Sima) and Lucas (N'Guessan) today for a little bit of a stretch and just look at our zone. Actually had Lindy (Waters, III) at the point with that lineup for a while so your smallest guy on the court is 6'6. That gives you some different options and things we haven't been able to do in the past. We've got to continue to evolve defensively. The coaching in our league is really good and they'll try to figure out ways to pick us apart. We've got to be adaptable."

On Kendall Smith...
"Probably his most efficient game of the year in terms of scoring the ball. Had a couple of lazy turnovers in there that we got to get corrected, but I like the way he's coming along."

On playing against a fast team...
"We were able to get after them a little bit and force them to be uncomfortable. They kind of tried to play a soft pressing attack against us, which was fairly effective in the second half. We had some sloppy turnovers. Like I said we got to watch film and learn from it, but we were able to get out in transition, for the most part, and attack them without their defense being set, which was a great advantage."

OSU senior guard Jeffrey Carroll

On the pace of the game …
"It kind of fell that way, I think. We just found our game and just kept going."

On playing hard throughout the game …
"Just keep playing hard for 40 minutes. That's our idea that we follow."

On West Virginia next week …
"It is kind of hard to match it because they're a great team. They fly around and just play hard for 40 minutes."

On the last time they had so many alley-oops …
"It was probably this time last year, to be honest. I try to keep it going, really, and play aggressive."

On being back in the starting line …
"I'm taking the right shots now. I think I was playing too free. So, I just have to play my game. But I'm back now."

UT-Rio Grande Valley head coach Lew Hill

On his overall thoughts on the game …
"I thought our guys competed, but we had that stretch where they pressured us and our guys started throwing the ball around. And they're a very good team in transition, so they turned the turnovers into baskets. When you're playing a team like this, you can't give them 8-0 or 10-0 runs, because then the game is over. You're always playing catch up."

On the changes midgame …
"I just wanted our guys to be comfortable and confident against the pressure. We just told them to pass fake and step to the ball. When we started doing that, it didn't bother us as much."

On adjustments the team will make going forward …
"We just have to believe that we can win. We played well for 20 or 30 minutes, but we have to make it a 40-minute game. We had Terry [Winn] come back and it was his first game. He will make a difference going forward because he brings a natural aggression. The other guys will feed off of that and he'll help us become tougher and nastier, things you have to be to be a winner."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Jeffrey Carroll

Kendall Smith

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