DETROIT -- Junior Forward Raymar Morgan (Canton, Ohio-McKinley) On his performance against North Carolina in the first game?
I just wanted to stay aggressive. Coach was really looking for me to score that game and do some different things and I just wanted to stay aggressive. They got me the ball early where I could have the opportunity to score and do some different things.
On playing in front of the large crowd at Ford Field?
It’s such an exciting place to play and the crowd is so into it. I’m at a loss for words about what the crowd brings to us and what they expect from us. There were a couple of times in the huddles when I was looking around. They played a huge part last night.
On overcoming adversity this season?
It’s a part of the game. Adversity comes when it comes and you can’t really stop it and I’ve been through a lot of it. I think I’ve matured in some ways to overcome those things. Now my confidence is back up and I’m feeling good.
On defending North Carolina’s three-point shooting?
It seems like they get a lot of their threes off of transition. Ty Lawson does a great job of penetrating and dishing out. Guys like Ellington and Green do a great job of shooting the ball. I think if we get back in transition and try to slow them up a little bit we can alter a lot of their threes.
On the team playing so well, especially starting with the Louisville game?
We’re a determined team. Guys realize what we can do now and we’ve known this from the beginning. On the floor, we just give each other that look and different guys can turn it up at different moments during the game. It’s pretty amazing. I think we’re just more focused off the court. We just want it so bad and we’re working hard for it.
On getting revenge against North Carolina from the earlier loss?
You want some revenge. Being a competitor and an athlete it’s in our competitive nature that we want to play them again and get another shot.
What does it mean to have Goran Suton back for this game against North Carolina?
Everything. He’s such an offensive threat. He’s so smart on the floor and he does a lot of things on the defensive end. He’s an outside and inside threat. He can shoot the three. He can dribble. Goran is a complete player. He’s a rebounding machine also.
Sophomore Guard Durrell Summers (Detroit, Mich.-Redford) On the reception his dunk last night got?
I got a couple hundred text messages and a lot of calls. Actually, Draymond woke me up last night to tell me it was on SportsCenter, so I just turned to it and it was pretty nasty.
On showing that the knock against MSU that the players are not athletic is not true?
I think all year guys have been making big, athletic plays. I not understand how people can say that me are not as athletic as other teams. That is kind of what we pride our team on, making athletic plays like grabbing boards and getting in transition. Just out working teams.
On going out to dinner with Kalin Lucas after the first meeting with UNC?
Yeah, a couple days after that game we went out to Red Lobster on campus which is our favorite place to eat and we just sat there and just discussed how hungry we were to get to our hometown and play for in a Final Four and for a national title. We decided that we would do whatever it takes, extra shots late at night, watching extra film, listening to the coaches more. Sometimes we may not always agree with the coaches but we try to get a happy medium and try to get the job done. The pretty much sums up what we talked about.
On Michigan State’s success with out of bounds plays last night and with them all season?
Last night, the play we run for me was a special play that we have only run about two or three times all season. We felt like they were over playing and denying us a lot last night, so coach called that play. Coach talks a lot about executing on plays out of timeouts and I think that that is something we have been doing a pretty good job of all season, especially last night. We executed it to a T last night and they bit like we thought they would and I was able to get an easy uncontested lay up.
On what role the game in December takes heading into Monday?
I think that we are a whole different team. We were missing a strong point in our team with G (Goran Suton) and with him being back, I think that adds a stronger dimension to our team. Also, us being ready to play because I think everyone is really hungry for this. We did all our work early in the year to get ready for this and thank God we made it here. We are going to look at the film and see the things that we did wrong and there are a lot of things that we can improve on and I think we have improved on them throughout the year. I think you will see a different Michigan State team out there on Monday.
Freshman Forward Draymond Green (Saginaw, Mich.-Saginaw) Talk about on the defensive end when their big guys get the ball?
It is going to be great. We have played against those guys once so we kind of know what to expect. That game didn’t turn out how we wanted but we want to come back strong and play a better game. The last time, not making excuses, but we didn’t have Goran (Suton), which is a big key to our post success so we’re going to watch film, practice and then come out and execute our game plan.
If you had to name the No. 1 key to Michigan State winning Monday, what would it be?
I’m not sure, but we do have to come out and give it everything we’ve got and leave everything on the court so that after the game no one has any regrets. Our key is to just come out and play tough and the hardest and stick with the things that got us this far.
Would you have ever thought as a freshman that you would sitting here today?
Yes. As I was being recruited that is what we expected when we come here. We expect to be put in big situations like this and make it to Final Fours. That is what is expected of our program.
Are a lot of your family members and friends coming to the game Monday?
I have a lot of my family coming down, but as you know it is not easy to get tickets. I hope to have that situated today so I can concentrate on the game.
What’s the biggest difference between you and North Carolina today?
I think we’ve improved a lot and I think they have improved a lot. The last time we played without Goran (Suton) so I think that will be a big difference in this game. I think Goran can make a big impact. He’s a great post player and this time (Tyler) Hansbough will have to guard him as well.
