Head Coach Rick Barnes

On how if he felt differently about the officials after re-watching the Arkansas game…
“I felt pretty much the same after watching it. What I can tell you is that after all my years of coaching is it’s a hard game to officiate. In some games, those tough calls go your way, but what I do know, is that I don’t think there is a conference in the country that has made more of a commitment to continue to improve our officials from top to bottom. Mike Eades, Dan Leibovitz, and commissioner (Greg) Sankey are working hard, and it is hard. When I came into this league seven years ago, it was about as bad as you could imagine. Coaches are like referees where we’re not perfect. After that game, I look back and think about some of the things I could’ve done differently. Win, lose, or draw you have to put it behind you and move on.”

On if offenses should get the benefit of close blocking calls…
“I think you have to air to the offensive side on it, but I think it’s a tough call. There has been some talk of taking the charge out of the game, but you can’t do that because it would just turn into people bullying each other. Some teams have shot blockers and others have guys that can take charges. It’s a part of the game, it’s a talent and a great one to have. Those are tough calls but if I’m not sure, I would go on the way of the offense.”

On getting production from inside the paint…
“We have to get some consistency there and we have some guys that can do it. As a group, we talked about how we need everybody to work and continue to get better. We still have basketball games in front of us and must improve. We need more balance and consistency from our inside guys and make opposing post players must work against us and not have nights off. We have to get better.”

On Tennessee playing its third game in seven days…
“It doesn’t change our prep. This time of year, some guys are banged up a little more than others. Guys that aren’t playing as much, we need to make sure they’re staying sharp because I’ve said that we are going to need all these guys at one point, and it’s pretty much come true this year. We’ll go about our normal prep and certain players’ practice will be cut down to make sure that they’re ready to go for the game.”

On what Missouri’s strengths are and how good they are at taking charges…
“Our league is a tremendous defensive league and is evident when you look at the numbers. When I think of coach (Cuonzo) Martin and his team, they play hard and are aggressive defensively. They’re going to contest passes and get after the ball. Anything that has to do with effort, they’re going to do it at a high level which is a testament to him and his program. They’re playing their fourth game in seven days; I think those guys are young and can bounce back quickly. We’ll have to play well because it’s going to be a hard-fought game like all these SEC games are.”

On not having back-to-back losses this season…
“We’re going to have to lock in today. I think our guys understand the urgency of these games. We’re going to have to execute, produce, and get things done. With our schedule coming down the stretch and this time of year, you don’t want to have back-to-back losses. It’s important to stay focused.”

On how Jonas Aidoo is progressing…
“He gives us someone around the rim that can affect shots and is talented at blocking shots. We need him to understand more about what we’re doing on the offensive end and understand how to execute. Jonas can finish well, he’s got terrific hands and is a guy that if he can get more physical on the offensive end, he can help us more.”

On being held to five assists against Arkansas…
“I think that Arkansas normally has a lot of assists. It was a low-scoring game, you do not get assists if you do not put the ball in the basket. During that night, we had seven possessions where we had a chance to get more assists but we did not make shots. You are not going to get assists if you do not make shots. It was a hard-fought physical game. Both teams played relatively fast and you saw where the score was because it was an elite type of defensive game. If we would have made more shots we would have had more assists but we did not. “

On Saturday’s game with Auburn and his concern level with players looking ahead to that game…
“Our guys have not been that type of team. We have been able to stay focused and get ready. We have great respect for them, they beat us a year ago and how can you not have great respect for us? They know the respect we have for Cuonzo (Martin) and his staff, they know it. We just have to worry about today and getting ready to make sure we are ready to play tomorrow.”

On the depth of the SEC…
“The league has changed so much in the seven years I have been here in so many different ways. I do not know the emphasis that was placed on basketball prior to me coming to Tennessee, but I know that from the time that Greg Sankey walked in, he made it clear that there has been great success in this league and all of the other sports. Basketball has to do their part, and the league is certainly going to do their part, and they have done so. There are terrific coaches in this league. I think one reason the league is so competitive is that there is not a coach in this league that has not had success. It is a defensive-minded league believe it or not and it has always been an athletic league. Now when you combine it with some skill, most people would look at the SEC and think it is a very athletic league, which it is but the skill level of our players has improved so much over the last seven years. There is nothing in our league that has not gotten better. I have said from the beginning that it used to concern me that other leagues would be talking about getting eight or nine teams…I would like to think we are getting closer to that group of guys who think every year we should get six or seven on a bad year. On a good year, having more. But obviously when you are beating each other up the way we do, that’s why non-league scheduling becomes so important. I can only tell you about how difficult it is to win in the league but the overall schedule has to be good too in order to get a high number of teams in.”

On Missouri being ranked last in SEC in three-point percentage…
“The way we approach every game, certainly like every coach in the league we will look at the numbers and analytics, but if you play at this level, then you are capable of making a 3-point shot. We are not going to ever disrespect a player. In our philosophy, we don’t believe in backing way off of guys because we think they can hurt you with passing the ball or dribble-out situations, so we are going to guard the 3-point line, and I don’t think we have ‘dared’ anyone to shoot the ball this year. As the game goes on, adjustments are made, and some guys get going. With some guys, some nights it looks like the numbers say they aren’t good shooters, but you can get a feel when you are watching them up close and playing against them that they have a rhythm going, so you have got to adjust. We will go in the game and follow our scouting report, but again, we believe that anyone is capable of making a shot.”

On the Juwan Howard situation yesterday…
“I can only tell you, I made a lot of mistakes as a young coach. I got myself too emotional, and that comes from being competitive. I have had a couple of well-documented incidents that honestly, looking back, I wish wouldn’t have happened. I wish I would have been, some people say mature, I think it is competitive instincts. When games are over with, I have to come in and talk to you all after a game, and there are so many things going through your mind and happening in a game and it can sometimes be dialogue that you have with officials. You just wonder where the communication broke down and why you feel this way or that way, where you have to learn to try and control your emotions until you can really step away from it. In the heat of the moment, sometimes that is really hard to do. I have had a couple situations in my career that I wish wouldn’t have happened. I have great respect for Juwan Howard, and as you know we recruited his son, and know his family. I can just tell you, that in the heat of the moment, there are a lot of things that we all would like to do differently. I can’t pass judgement on anybody because like I said, I have made some big mistakes where I wish I could go back. I have gone back and apologized to players in general, that I coached and didn’t think I coached the right way. I have had incidents with officials, and other situations that I wish would not have happened.”

Junior Guard Santiago Vescovi Quotables

On how hard it was getting into a rhythm with all the fouls on Saturday…
“I think that was one of our main struggles. We had a lot of the guys that play really high minutes that were all in foul trouble. Kennedy (Chandler) was in foul trouble, Josiah (James) was in foul trouble, I was in foul trouble, and Zakai (Zeigler) at some point was in foul trouble too. I think that really messed with our rhythm, it was not a game where it was easy to get in rhythm. They had a really good defense, so give a lot of credit to them for what they did. It was hard getting into rhythm the whole game.

On how you would evaluate Jonas Aidoo’s performance as of late…
“I think that Jonas has been doing a great job. I think that he is the rim protector we have been needing since Yves (Pons) left. Everybody knew that Yves would go up and block every shot that he could. We were kind of missing that part since he left, and then with Jonas stepping up, I think it helped us a lot in that regard. He can also play on the offensive end, he has a very good touch around the rim, and he can shoot some jumpers from the free throw line. I really like the way that he has responded to him being thrown in and playing all these minutes. I think that he has a super positive impact on the team.”

On Missouri being the worst 3-point shooting team in SEC…
“We just have to adapt to every single team. If it means for us to be more in the lane, then we are going to have to do it. If they start knocking threes down, then we are going to have to spread out a little more and get closer to the shooters. I just think that basically every single game is going to be different with every team that we play.”