Marcus Smart and Bill Self had a misunderstanding

Photo Attribution: USATSI

There was a little buzz on Twitter today about some things that were said after the game on Saturday by Marcus Smart about Bill Self. Here are the full quotes by everyone..

Smart (to ESPN’s Shannon Spake) on the court after the game: “Before the game, the coaches showed us a quote of Bill Self saying he was coming here cutting down our nets, and he was gonna win it outright in Stillwater. We couldn’t let that happen in our house, so I just knew I had to keep pushing until the end.”

Self to the Lawrence Journal-World: “I heard and saw the postgame interview (with ESPN’s Shannon Spake) after the game,” Self said. “I don’t know where Marcus got his information, but it was totally inaccurate. I’ve never said anything about cutting down nets or anything like that. I never said anything about cutting down nets in their building.

“Strange … we’ve won the league 10 years in a row. I don’t know if we’ve even cut down nets at home. I’d never disrespect another program, especially my alma mater, by doing anything like that. It’s disappointing that was said. Certainly he obviously had some bad information however he received it.”

Self on the Big 12 coaches teleconference (Monday): “It was disturbing to hear that…100 percent false.”

Ford on the Big 12 coaches teleconference (Monday): “Marcus equated (celebrate) with cutting down nets.”

According to one of my readers (Chip Smith), this article would appear to be the one in question. Here’s the Self quote…

“I told them we’d do (the presentation) if we won it outright. So, we’ll hopefully celebrate in Stillwater on Saturday.”

So…a misunderstanding. Honestly, I’m stunned Marcus would call somebody out for something they said in a public forum without accurately or specifically pointing out what, exactly was said. Doesn’t seem like his style.

Not much else to see here, though. Moving on..