March 8, 2006
NO. 11 MISSOURI TIGERS
Interim Head Coach Melvin Watkins
Opening Statement:
"We are glad to be at this point of the season where we can get a fresh start. It's good to be back in Dallas for the tournament. When you pull into town and start seeing school colors your blood starts percolating and hopefully our men are ready to go to battle."
On the Missouri coaching situation:
"I've tried not to spend too much time worrying about that and focus a little more about getting these young men ready. We have to be ready to take one game at a time and extend our season. It's been great working with these kids in what has been a somewhat difficult and awkward situation."
On the rematch with Nebraska:
"It's easier because we are more familiar with them because they have been on the videotape and on the big screen in our preparation from our last game. We know what their capabilities are and how good they can play. It will be a very challenging game for us, even with the fact we just played them. We looked at the tape and broke it down and we saw areas that we broke down and where they manipulated us. They probably saw the same things so we have to be better prepared."
Junior Guard Thomas Gardner
On the possibility of leaving school early:
"I'm approaching this with my team and we came down here to win. I'm going to do whatever it takes to help my seniors continue with their season. It (rumors of leaving for the NBA) is a distraction, right now I want to focus on doing what we are doing in this tournament. First and foremost is Nebraska tomorrow night and we'll take it from there."
Senior Guard Jimmy McKinney
On Nebraska:
"Any team that we play is basically in our way to getting to where we want to achieve. We have to go out there, play hard and get to where we want to be. I think that we are really confident because we know how well we can play."
Senior Forward/Center Kevin Young
On Nebraska:
"Last week's win felt good and coming to the tournament with a win feels good. We know that we can beat them for tomorrow's game. We have to be prepared and go out there and fight."
On facing Aleks Maric:
"He's a big man and we have to go out there and fight him, keep him off the block. I like playing low and I have to make angles and make it tough for him to score."