Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff recaps a big game against Nebraska and what to expect in a week off.
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00 >> Yeah, I thought we played really hard tonight.
00:03 We started out the game really good on the defensive end and we just weren't making
00:07 some shots but we kept playing defense and
00:09 we're able to pull away a little bit there in the first half.
00:11 But I thought our physical and mental energy in the second half,
00:14 especially in the press, really kind of allowed us to take control of the game.
00:18 >> What about the performance about keeping Markowski and
00:20 Potts offensively pretty much out of the game?
00:23 >> Yeah, I thought our post defense was good and we're getting better in that area.
00:26 Our post players are working really hard and guards are helping them.
00:28 It's a collective effort and so that's gonna be important.
00:31 We see a lot of great post players in this league so
00:34 we're gonna have to continue to be able to execute at that level.
00:37 >> And now you have a little break.
00:38 What are you looking to work on with these few days off?
00:42 >> We're gonna get a little bit of rest but
00:43 also take a couple days this week just to focus on ourselves.
00:46 We spent a lot of time preparing for upcoming games and opponents.
00:50 But we have a couple days where we can just try to get better at some things.
00:53 >> Was there- >> Related to us.
00:55 >> When you're playing this well, do you like having that rest or
00:57 do you kinda just wanna keep going?
00:58 >> Yeah, it kinda is what it is.
00:59 We kinda take it day by day.
01:01 And so we're in a good rhythm, so you don't want anything to take away from that.
01:05 But we're just gonna have to manage the week accordingly.
01:08 >> Was there anything special about Jacy's performance tonight or
01:11 did you feel like it was what she does?
01:12 >> Yeah, it's kinda what she does.
01:14 And I thought she played really well though.
01:16 And a combination of really scoring the ball, she had six assists I think.
01:19 She should make another people better.
01:21 And she really got our pace going.
01:22 It was great in the press.
01:23 >> I mean, this started slow a few times this year.
01:27 How nice was it just to really, I mean,
01:30 you weren't getting shots but the defensive end things just were on.
01:33 >> Yeah, I thought our effort was really good to start right from the tip.
01:36 And we had talked about that.
01:37 I mean, with Nebraska coming off such a great win against Iowa and
01:40 an emotional win, but also a game where they expend a lot of energy.
01:43 I thought if we could really get after them early,
01:46 it could maybe impose our will on the game from the start.
01:48 And I think we did that on the defensive end.
01:50 >> When you're pressing the way you are, do you feel a team like Nebraska?
01:55 It just seemed like Nebraska was sped up and had to go way slower.
01:58 Can you feel that?
01:59 >> Yeah, yeah, and they're a really good team.
02:02 And they're well coached and they're well organized.
02:04 But we have an advantage I think of our speed and our quickness.
02:07 So I thought if we could speed them up a little bit, it would make it tough on them.
02:12 >> With you guys forcing, I think it was three ten second violations.
02:15 Is how well the throw on her, is that for how well the defense is,
02:18 in terms of being locked in?
02:19 >> Yeah, and that was something we talked about at halftime.
02:22 They kept getting the ball in the middle floor in the first half.
02:25 And I told them if we can keep it out of the middle of the floor,
02:27 I think they're gonna have some problems breaking the press.
02:28 And so our kids did a really good job coming out of halftime and executing it.
02:31 >> And early in the game, there was a moment where Taylor Thayer,
02:33 she passed up an open three.
02:34 You had a little bit of a reaction on the sideline.
02:36 Is that what you've talked about with her?
02:38 Or do you just want her to be a little more aggressive in those types of situations?
02:40 >> Yeah, we want her to be a little bit more assertive.
02:41 And she's a really good offensive player.
02:43 She's a really good shooter.
02:45 And I have a lot of confidence in her.
02:47 And sometimes we pass on a good shot and we'll get a worse shot on a turnover.
02:51 So I don't want her passing on good shots.
02:53 >> Kevin, going off Cameron's question a little earlier,
02:56 when you guys are playing such good third quarter and second half ball,
03:00 is there a worry at all coming up with the Big Ten tournament and
03:04 a few more road games, is there a worry at all that
03:08 maybe the team won't be able to jump out at just the beginning?
03:13 >> Yeah, no, exactly.
03:14 We're trying to get closer to 40 minutes.
03:16 And so that's the goal and those are the things we talk about.
03:19 And like I said, I thought our effort was really good to start.
03:22 We just weren't making shots.
03:23 And so sometimes we can't control that.
03:26 Although we can control the shots that we do get and
03:28 making sure we get balanced, we're not just settling for threes all the time.
03:32 >> I'm sure you've gotten to know Chris Holtman over the years.
03:34 >> Yeah. >> What's your reaction to him being
03:36 behind the defense?
03:37 >> He's an incredible person.
03:38 He's become a really good friend of mine over the years.
03:40 And he's also an excellent coach who undoubtedly is gonna land on his feet.
03:45 >> Talk a lot about Cody's offense and her growing game tonight.
03:48 She had four steals.
03:49 It looks like her awareness, she sees what's going on the court so well.
03:53 How great is that for a sophomore to be playing at that level?
03:56 >> Yeah, she's really grown and she's growing.
03:58 And the good news is she's still got a higher ceiling to get to.
04:01 And so, but part of it is, yeah, the mental aspects of the game and
04:05 just reading the floor and all those things are really coming.
04:08 And so it's gonna be fun to see her continue to blossom in her program.
04:12 >> Ricky does so many of those handlers for you guys.
04:15 Is it fair to say she's adding sharpshooters to her list of things that she-
04:18 >> Yeah, she's been shooting the ball really well.
04:20 Just overall playing really well.
04:22 I mean, she's always in the right spot at the right time.
04:25 She communicates on the floor.
04:26 She knows what we do and where everybody else should be.
04:28 So she's playing at a high level now and making shots.
04:32 So she's been giving us really great minutes.
04:35 >> Seems like the last couple games you started to get a little bit more
04:37 out of your bench.
04:38 How do you feel like your bench has come along?
04:40 >> Yeah, I think that's what we just talked about a lot.
04:42 We're getting really positive contributions from a lot of people.
04:45 And I think it's gonna be important, given our style of play.
04:47 And we wanna be really fresh and large and playing as hard as we can and
04:52 really be able to impress people.
04:53 And I think our bench is gonna have to be a big part of that.
04:56 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Yeah, yeah, she's fine, yeah.
05:00 >> Thank you.
05:01 >> Does wanting to get those guys more experience for
05:04 the bench help you avoid letdowns also and kind of stay where you wanna be there?
05:09 >> Yeah, I mean, we were retalented.
05:10 Cuz we didn't finish the game very well at Michigan State.
05:13 The Wills had been playing for the first three quarters.
05:15 So I challenged the group that was in there at the end,
05:16 hey, make sure that we finish the game the right way.
05:18 And you guys get experience playing the right way.
05:20 And they did, they did a really good job.
05:22 [BLANK_AUDIO]
05:24 >> Thanks, Richie.