Jan. 27, 2008
Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings:
On the game:
“We obviously got overwhelmed during the first 12 minutes of the game and we were never able to recover. We were not as emotionally ready to play as they were. They were faster to the ball and were the quicker and more aggressive team. That is a sure recipe for defeat on the road. We were outplayed and outcoached.”
On what Vanderbilt lacked:
“We had a number of lay-ups that we missed right at the goal and our transition defense was very poor. Those two things contributed to not very much good happening for quite a long period of time.”
On what could have slowed down the Gators run in the first half:
“We should have played better, made our lay-ups, got the ball inside, got fouled, got to the foul line and made some free throws. We did not do any of these things.”
Vanderbilt Players:
Forward Shan Foster:
On the game:
“You know it is hard to put your finger on it. They were coming down, hitting shot after shot and getting easy buckets under the basket. We kind of got caught up in the moment I guess. We didn’t fight back. I was like `Wow.” I couldn’t believe it. I really couldn’t believe it.”
Guard Alex Gordon:
On Florida’s first-half run:
“We turned the ball over and missed layups. We didn’t fight for that period. We cut it down to 15 but we just didn’t fight. Being on this team you always think you have a chance to come back.”
Florida Head Coach Billy Donovan:
On the game:
“The first 10 minutes was as good as we could have played. When you get up by that many points, you always get concerned. You want your guys to maintain aggressiveness. Vanderbilt is a really good team. We got off to a great start in the second half. In the second half, for our guys to come out to play and take some shots the way they did, I was very proud of them.”
On containing Foster and Ogilvy:
“Both are good players. I think it was a combination of our defense and them not having their best games. I can’t say that it was our team who contained them.”
Florida Players:
Forward Nick Calathes:
On the team’s performance:
Well that is our game plan for every game. We really want to run and push the ball up and down the court. We are not a slow-paced team. So we tried to fatigue them, and I think we might have a little bit. They are a really good team though.”
On Andrew Ogilvy:
“He was really winded, but he is a big time player. Marreese stepped up a lot and did a good job guarding him tonight.”
On the 23-0 run by the Gators in the first half:
“I haven’t seen that happen very often. We definitely haven’t really shown that this year. We settled down a little bit and let them come back. We definitely can not let that happen again. They are a heck of a team.”
Forward Dan Werner:
On the team’s game plan:
“Our game plan every game is to run the ball up and down the court and eventually wear them down.”
On his personal performance:
“Honestly, I am not surprised with how I played today. I feel like I have been playing this way the entire season, but today it felt like it really came together between passing, scoring and rebounding. It was a good day personally and team-wise.
Center Marreese Speights:
On the team’s performance:
“We went out there and played unselfishly. We waited for things to come and they came really quick. Our coaches did a good job scouting Vanderbilt and I think that helped.
On wearing down Andrew Ogilvy:
“When you see the other team’s big man on the bench, out of breath it is a good thing. I tried to just run the ball up and down the court and make him tired and it worked.”