OU-Wisconsin Postgame Quotes

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Head Coach Lon Kruger
Opening comment:
“We know so much more about our club right now than we did three days ago – the good, bad and everything in between – and that's the value of playing in this quality of tournament. The reception, the hospitality, the people, the whole thing was just a terrific experience from day one right to the end. We will take a lot from this, get back to work. The value of the opportunity to play in events like this is hard to measure at this point, but I like our group and like the fact that they will get back to work and am looking forward to getting better. I thought Wisconsin did what they had to do. They were terrific and kind of wore us down there a little bit early in the second half and made a run we didn't handle very well, but they are a terrific team.”

On the benefit of facing the No. 2 team in the country:
“Wisconsin is very good, and they were able to point out several shortcomings, good teams like that do. I liked our effort, especially in the first half. We were fighting on the boards. I thought our defensive activity was good. We are still searching a little bit offensively for an identity, and we will keep working on that, but really a great experience. An outstanding experience, and we will learn a lot from it.”

On if he is pleased with what he learned about his team this week:
“If you would have said Monday night that we were sitting here having learned all that we did and having experienced all that we did, we would be thrilled, absolutely. We know that we did a lot of good things in the tournament. I thought that we really progressed defensively. I thought we did some good things on the boards. We still have a lot of work to do offensively in finding a rhythm. We are exactly where we could have wanted, (except for coming up) short just a few points there at the end.”

On adjustments the team can make following this tournament:
“We've got to reevaluate things offensively, primarily. Again, we took some really good steps defensively. We like where we are headed (defensively), and we will continue improving on that end of the floor. Offensively, we've just got to execute things better. We've got to determine what it is that we want to execute in terms of getting the ball in the hands of the right people, getting the ball down inside a little more. We've got to continue to attack in transition but make good decisions. We didn't handle the ball very well today, especially. We will learn a lot from it.”

Junior Guard Buddy Hield
On playing in his home country:
“It was a fun deal. We came up short, our shots didn't fall and stuff like that. But it was fun being here with my teammates and them seeing my country and just being at Atlantis. It was fun being in the tournament, and Wisconsin played a great game. Hats off to them. We are going to bounce back from this.”

“It was fun. I wish I could replay it, but just being home with family and friends, my mom, my brothers and everyone who came down and watched me play was special. Most kids who go overseas to play don't get this experience. So hats off to Coach Kruger and the staff for scheduling this event and allowing me to come play in front of my family. It's an experience I won't forget.”

Players Mentioned

Buddy Hield

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