The post-game comments from Matt Painter and the players were colorful because not only did the Boilermakers talk about their hard fought loss to Michigan State, they also discussed the dismissal of Kelsey Barlow and the suspension of DJ Byrd. Here are the highlights:
Ryne Smith said this about the loss of Kelsey Barlow: “It’s addition by subtraction. [D.J. Byrd] is going to come back in full force. When he comes back on Wednesday night [against Nebraska] he’s going to be ready, I’ll tell you that much.”
Matt Painter talking about the decision to boot Kelsey Barlow and suspend DJ Byrd: “We get consumed with guys when they do the wrong thing. I’d rather get consumed with guys that do the right thing.”
Painter speaking about the decision to allow Barlow back on the team after he was suspended at the end of last season: “I feel like I let our team down. I made a decision that was best for an individual and, in the long run, wasn’t best for our team.”
Painter responding to Ryne Smith’s comment that losing Barlow is “addition by subtraction”: “I don’t want to give Ryne Smith his opinion. He sees some things that I don’t. You’re looking through your own glasses and you move forward. When something happens and you’ve got to part ways with guys, it doesn’t make you feel good.”
Lewis Jackson when asked about the aftermath of Friday morning’s incident: “Every kid makes a mistake,” Jackson said. “You stick with those guys and you be there for them. Every child makes a mistake, and families stay together, and that’s the best thing we can do.”
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo commented on the dismissal of Kelsey Barlow and how the technology of smart phones is very revealing in the actions of today’s student athletes: “This crap has changed our world. Let’s not live in glass houses. We were 18, 19, 20 [years old] once. I’m not trying to stick up for him, but don’t think we’re all not one Thursday night away from problems.”
It was interesting to hear Purdue’s team, and even Coach Izzo, discuss the heavy issues that Purdue is dealing with now that Kelsey Barlow has been dismissed. The Boilermakers have to pull together for this final stretch, but if Purdue really believes that the roster changes are “addition by subtraction”, then they should be able to do what’s necessary to clinch an NCAA Tourney spot.
Press conference excerpts provided by CBSSports.com.
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