Michigan State Head Coach Robyn Fralick
Opening Statement…
Obviously, a very disappointing game for us. Credit to Maryland. They’re a good team. I thought they played well. I thought, for me personally, it was the most disappointing game of the season. I thought we were missing teamness and toughness on both sides of the ball. Disappointing effort.
On difference between first and second quarter…
We turned it over a lot. We weren’t passing. They’re packing it in, and we weren’t passing. That was a little peculiar. It’s the most turnovers we’ve had. We were out of sync on both sides. Defensively, it was a lot of one-on-one with no help. The thing is, we haven’t done it all year, so I’m hoping it’s one of those games that you can scratch your head and take some film and learn from it. We do things together, and the lack of that tonight was the most disappointing part.
On what the regroup process looks like after back-to-back home losses…
We play again Saturday, so the re-group has to be quick.
On the team missing a sense of urgency during the game…
Our first quarter was okay. It was as the game kept going, we never turned the corner on it. Maryland’s good. They’re athletic. They’re big. They’re physical. There’s a reason they’re ranked in the Top 25. They’re a good team, but our response was so disappointing. The game of basketball has to be played together, and there’s a toughness piece, especially in this league. We were missing all of that tonight.
On Grace VanSlooten’s performance despite loss…
I thought she had some good finishes in the paint. We always need her to rebound. She did some good things. I’m just so frustrated with how we played. It’s not how we play as a group, and we’ve got to be better.
Do you think this might be any fatigue from last Sunday?
Everyone in the league had to play Saturday or Sunday and play today. I just don’t believe in that. I think the best teams have endurance and ability to understand the importance of the next game.
Do you feel like any of the early foul trouble that you guys had, played a part?
That was frustrating, because it changed up our rotations, but that’s part of the game. We’ve still got to be able to play good basketball, even if that happens.