Inside Kansas Head Coach Bill Self's Comments Previewing Oklahoma State
On whether late-season games mean more:
“Well, it’s a results business. If we’d have lost by three, would it mean less? I think every game this late in the season means more and more as you go. When you can see the finish line, things that happen closer to it are more important. Early in a game you can make mistakes and recover. Under five minutes, there may not be time to recover. It’s the same thing with seasons and scheduling. So yeah, they take on added importance in mid-to-late February.”
On the team’s reaction after the road loss:
“We haven’t been together yet. Yesterday was our day off, so we practice here in a little bit. I think the guys will respond fine. Losing on the road to a ranked team is hard regardless. They were more physical and took the game to us. People talk about ‘wakeup calls,’ but you don’t have wakeup calls after every loss. Can we learn from it and be better next time out? That’s what I’m focused on.”
On Anthony Roy:
“I think he’s one of the league’s top players and certainly one of the top shooters and scorers. He’s shooting 42% from three and taking nine a game, basically four for nine every night. That’s something we’ll have to contend with.”
On Oklahoma State:
“Speed. Their guards are good and fast. Their players are quick and athletic. They’re really good at getting downhill and making plays when nothing’s there.”
On Darryn Peterson’s recent lack of assists:
“He can take another step. Teams are trapping him and taking away the immediate assist off a high ball screen. You’re not getting assists at 40 feet. We can be more efficient with hockey assists, the pass that leads to the pass.”
On leadership:
“With our best teams, it’s been by committee. I don’t think anybody has fully emerged yet, but Melvin is probably the closest thing to it. You’d love for it to be Darren, but he hasn’t been out there enough yet. So we’ll do it by committee.”
On Tre’s root canal affecting his play:
“If it did, we’re not going to make that an excuse. He can certainly be more effective, and he will.”
On Kansas State Head Coach Jerome Tang being let go:
“It surprised me with the timing. I like Jerome. I hate to see any coach get let go. But it’s big money and big business. Decisions are based on what’s best for the employer. Everything refers back to the terms of the contract. From an outside look, I just hope fairness prevails.”
On where the team stands with six games left:
“I liked where we were four days ago more than two days ago. But we can become tougher. We can be more consistent defensively. We can understand more about winning away from home. We can be more fluid offensively. We had 12 turnovers, 10 in the first half, and that hurt us. They also made some tough shots late in the clock. We can get better in all facets. I don’t think we’re where we need to be yet in any area.”