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sampson's verbatim from this week
i know a lot of yall dont have a peegs subscription, so don't say i never gave you anything!!!! here's the sampson verbatim from this week, compliments mike pegrams...
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Indiana head coach Kelvin Sampson met with reporters last night at Assembly Hall following his team's 80-61 victory over #10 Michigan State. Now you can read the entire transcript of the coach's comments. Read what he has to say about how big this game was to him personally, the allegations review process, D.J. White's injured knee, the upcoming Purdue game and more.
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Opening Statement:
Obviously, to beat a team like Michigan State the way we beat them tonight, you have to do some things pretty good. I thought our execution on offense was at a really good level. Our defense was outstanding. Kyle Taber and DeAndre (Thomas) in the middle of the zone was really good. Offense is about scoring baskets. Once we got them stretched.....we had a hard time that first four, five minutes of getting them (Michigan State) stretched. Once we got them stretched we had Eric (Gordon) and Jordan (Crawford) and Armon (Bassett) running in and out of screens. And we took advantage of being in the 1-and-1 with Eric. Once we got to the bonus, we wanted him to drive it and get to the free throw line.
Losing D.J. (White) when we did, you are just not quite sure how the team will react because he's our captain and he's our leader. But I can't tell you how proud I am of this young man sitting to my right (DeAndre Thomas). He deserves a lot of credit for keeping his attitude at a high level and having confidence and believing in himself. When he got his opportunity, he was right there. Jordan just continues to get better. I think he has a chance to be an all-conference guard before he is done.
But I think one of the things we have improved on as the year has gone on is limiting our turnovers. We don't make the mistakes that we had been. I think we had seven turnovers at Ohio State and five the other night. Although we had 26 at Minnesota and won and five the other night and lost. Did you guys get that (laughter)? It was a good win. I am really proud of our effort tonight. Winning the game is important, but I really liked the way we played.
Kelvin what have the last 30 hours have been like?:
I spent most of the morning (Friday) watching tape on Michigan State. Worked Armon Bassett out for about 35 minutes. I tried not to watch too much Wisconsin tape. I was still upset about certain things in that game. I know what you are getting at Andy but I can only control things I can control and that is what I focused on.
Kelvin do you feel the process they are going to go through is...
I don't have any comment on that.
Fair to say based on your reaction late that this game meant a lot to you?
Yes, I think so. But, you know Mike, the game is about these kids. I think basketball is so much bigger than one person. The game will always be about the players. I am happy for them. We had a great week, we won at Illinois, we won at Ohio State. We put ourselves in a position with the teams coming in. Outside of us, the three best teams in the league. Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue. That was a tough loss the other night. I mean, it was. You try to figure games out like that. Maybe the good lord was trying to even things out with Eric banking that one in against Illinois. Sometimes they even out.
Come back tonight, it is just a great win for those kids. You just can't go anywhere and people not see the situation. But you know I try to be a father to them. I just try to be their father. I am stern with them, I comfort them, I care about them and I coach them. Not a whole lot different with them than I have been in the past. I have really worked at making sure that they get 100%. That is what they deserve.
How much do you want to finish the season?
I don't have any real comments on that stuff Andy. We are practicing tomorrow at three and we will get ready for Purdue. Tomorrow is Sunday and we have two days to prepare for Purdue. That will be a big game for us on Tuesday.
On the status of D.J. White:
I think D.J. is going to get an MRI tomorrow. We'll know more about his knee hopefully by the time we get to practice.
On his own emotions for his family....
I felt good for my wife. I felt good for Karen, I felt good for Lauren. Kellen is a tough kid. But I felt good for Lauren and felt good for Karen.
Has this been very tough on that?
I don't really have any comment on that.
Could D.J. have returned?
No. Dr. Rink does not think that it is ligaments. He thinks the structure is solid. But I think when a kid gets a knee injury he is usually a little afraid. D.J. was afraid a little bit at halftime. I just went in there and saw him briefly. He said `coach, it doesn't feel right.' The doctors said we should hold him out and I said `absolutely.' If it doesn't feel right to him...that kid is too valuable.
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