University of Oklahoma Athletics
OU-TCU Postgame Quotes
January 22, 2014 | Men's Basketball
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Head Coach Lon Kruger
Opening comment:
“It was a really tough game. I thought TCU really fought like crazy. Coach (Trent) Johnson's teams are going to do that. We would build a little margin and they would fight right back into it. We just could never quite pull away. I thought our last three or four minutes there, the possessions during that time, were really good. We had some good defensive stops and a lot of good plays on both ends of the floor, which you have to do. It was a good win. Any time you win a Big 12 game you feel good about that. We have to get back to work the next couple of days in preparation for (Texas) Tech.”
On Ryan Spangler's performance:
“He has been terrific. He's all about team. He had a couple of opportunities in the first half that he didn't get down around the bucket and nothing more for him at halftime. In the second half, he just did a terrific job. He kept some balls alive in addition to the 16 rebounds that he got. But he has been like that. He has just been fantastic every night out and you guys are at practice knowing that he does that every day in practice. His teammates really appreciate that.”
On the defense late in the game:
“Yeah, we had some good defensive moments. Again, they have some guys that are tough to match up with and are tough off the dribble. I thought we were really close to some additional steals that we didn't quite get and it turned out they converted on a few of those, which is a little bit frustrating. The guys have worked at it defensively. We have a long way to go in that area but they will stay after it.”
On if there is a benefit to being able to pull out a win in a tight game:
“Absolutely. With three-and-a half-minutes to go, it was a tie ball game. At that point, you just have to lock in there and don't feel bad about where you're at and look at it as an opportunity to win a ball game. Again, I thought the last four or five possession on each end were really solid.”
On if he is encouraged even though the team has had trouble extending leads:
“When you're up 10 you would like to have the next couple of possessions kind of widen the gap. Each time we were up 10 there it seemed like we would have a poor possession, they would knock down the 3 and it's a four- or five-point ball game. We have got to try and make better plays during that time. It's good to have a margin, but then you have to maintain it and widen it out a little bit better.”
Sophomore Forward Ryan Spangler
On playing out of sync at times, despite the win:
“We couldn't get into a rhythm, but I give credit to them. They did not let us run our stuff as well as we usually do. They kept us from pushing it out and they slowed the game down how they wanted to and we didn't get the rhythm we wanted to. I just give them credit and we'll work on that.”
On getting comfortable playing in tight games:
“I guess we are getting better at playing in tight games, but we wouldn't want it like that. We need to work on finishing. We always start out with the lead, and at the end of the first half we have been giving up leads. That is something we have been working on. Coach (Kruger) has been telling us, just that at the end of games we have been giving up leads too and trying to make it hard on ourselves. If we just learn to play at the end of halves we will be fine.”
Sophomore Guard Je'lon Hornbeak
On the importance of finding success on offense tonight:
“I was just looking to stay consistent. I've been in the gym and I knew my time would come; staying in the gym and putting up shots. The first one went down and you get a little confidence after that and I think the other one's were off of free throws. So it was good to see one jump shot go in. I just kept attacking and the ball just fell in for me.”
