Oregon State Head Coach Wayne Tinkle
on overall performance
“They’re really good; I thought it started at the end of the first half. We played exactly the way we needed to but then two or three positions we got soft with the ball which led to leak out dunks and they got six points right there. And in the second half because we’re young, we let doubt creep in. But they’re really talented. In the second half they went to their press back man, so we made an adjustment to put our guards back and we didn’t have any problem with it. But in the first time out, we asked our players why you think they’re pressing and they responded in order to speed us up. We were taking threes and if we make them, then great, but if not we have to continue to play at our pace."
on Lonzo Ball
“He’s impossible to guard, you try to squeeze him in transition with another player and he comes flying by you. Lonzo’s a great passer, has great vision, and he can catch fire from three. And defensively I don’t think he gets enough credit for the things that he creates on the defensive end."
on Bryce Alford and Isaac Hamilton
“They’re some of the best cutters off the ball that we see. We show our guys highlights of them. If you want to come off baseline screens watch those guys."
on second half performance
“They’re really good; I thought it started at the end of the first half. We played exactly the way we needed to but then two or three positions we got soft with the ball which led to leak out dunks and they got six points right there. And in the second half because we’re young, we let doubt creep in. But they’re really talented. In the second half they went to their press back man, so we made an adjustment to put our guards back and we didn’t have any problem with it. But in the first time out, we asked our players why you think they’re pressing and they responded in order to speed us up. We were taking threes and if we make them, then great, but if not we have to continue to play at our pace."
Oregon State Sophomore Guard Stephen Thompson Jr.
on his overall performance
“I feel like I could have done more for our team, especially defensively and rebounding. I really wish I could’ve helped our team at the end, especially when UCLA went on that late run."
on playing back at home
“It felt really great to be back, the weather is very good, it’s been raining a lot in Corvallis. It was also fun because I had some of my family and some of the people I grew up with here.”
on how to build on this performance
“We just have to keep working; we went through a lot of adversity this year. We had a lot of injuries, guys leaving and transferring, so it’s been really tough. But we just have to keep working.”
