MU beats USC 72-64

Led by Jamil Wilson's 19 pts off the bench, MU defeated Kevin O'Niell's USC team 72-64 for 5th place in the Maui Invitational.MU's Vander Blue injured his left knee when he slipped late in the game and the knee bent back. After the game, Buzz Williams mentioned that it was not an ACL tear but he twisted it significantly. Blue was carried from the court to the locker room but returned to the bench.

Buzz Williams told Steve True on ESPN radio post game...

"This is the best we played. Our guys played really hard.[His voice was shot after 3 games in 3 days...]Back to back to back , I am cooked."

[Vander's knee injury] "The doctors said it was not his ACL…just twisted it...but he did hurt it..'

[Otule 16 min] I have a bunch of guys who people say are not very good. I think we have been thru a lot in a short time. In Nov 8 practices and 8 games…we still have to go thru the prep work…each of the guys has responded…with energy it takes to win on a neutral court….I like where we are at…there is a lot of growth…still trying to figure out the best lineup…best rotation…great learning opportunity…..

[anything surprise you in Maui?] "They relied on one another more than I expected…on this kind of stage…I can do this…and that…they relied on one another…assist…best defensive stretch since we have been there…off reb allowed torn over score FG % def…FTA…

Jake had 10 def reb after the Butler game…FG% was worse than Vander and Junior…we don’t have a margin…

[Surprise you that Butler beat UNC]I love who Butler is…they don’t look the part but they play the part….