Jan. 23, 2010
Vanderbilt 82, Auburn 74
January 23, 2010
Memorial Gym, Nashville, Tenn.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings
Opening Comments:
“It looks like we hadn’t played in a week in the first half. I thought [Auburn was] a more aggressive team. Our team responded in the second half. To shoot 64% and to shoot 77% from the line and get to the line a bunch – we were lucky to survive a very poorly played first half. We did a decent job defending their threes. I’m happy to win, but wish we could have played a better, more consistent game throughout.”
On Vanderbilt’s Rebounding Struggles in the First Half:
“There were a couple of long bounces. More than that were their speed and quickness or us not being in the position we needed to be. We got whooped on the boards in the first half. It’s disappointing.”
On Vanderbilt’s Brad Tinsley:
“Brad played great the whole game and I could see it coming. He had his best practice of the year on Monday and his second best practice of the year on Tuesday. His game didn’t surprise me and I was glad to see him being assertive.”
On Whether Vanderbilt should be a top 25 Team:
“I don’t care. We have a good team, but I know the rubber is getting ready to hit the road. We’ll find out here. I like our team. We responded to what they were told at halftime. If we’re a team or a program that flies under the radar, then that’s who we are. I could care less what the media thinks and what the coaches think. It’s nice recognition for our players. Do we deserve [to be ranked]? Probably, but I’m not going to complain about it.”
Vanderbilt guard Brad Tinsley
On halftime:
“He was kind of calm at halftime and got on us about our defense. He wrote on the board that we were being outrebounded and we worked hard to get back in the second half. The first four minutes of the second half, we went on an 11-0 run and just never looked back.”
On getting out of slump:
“As a shooter, you don’t want to see yourself in a slump. My confidence wasn’t down, but our offense does a great job getting each other open and I was still able to contribute. It’s all about getting the win. If I got 0 points or 20, it doesn’t matter as long as we win.”
On games against Kentucky and Tennessee this week:
“You just have to go out and play with your team. We have to play Vanderbilt basketball.”
Vanderbilt center A.J. Ogilvy
On difference between first and second half:
“We were flat to start the first half. Can’t put a finger on it, but we played better on the defensive end and got a spark from that. We got a couple scores and that helped get us going.”
On cutting lead:
“We just have to try to take it one basket at a time.” On fouling two Auburn players out:”For me, it’s just about being aggressive, trying to get the ball, and get the basket. It’s a physical game and it’s up to the refs to call those fouls.”
On traveling to Knoxville and Lexington:
“We haven’t played well in Knoxville the past few years. We have to practice hard and then start strong. Last year, our youth was something we couldn’t overcome. These guys are a year older and getting experience under our belt helped us get back in. Any time you get to play two ranked teams in one week is very exciting. We’re going to have to play hard to win.”
Vanderbilt forward Jeffery Taylor
On aggressive second half:
“I didn’t play a lot in the first half and that was a big difference. In the second half, I played smarter and more aggressive. I wanted to be out there and help my team. I wanted us to start 4-0 in the SEC.”
On first half:
“I wouldn’t say we were looking ahead, but we were just starting slow. It almost cost us. They were up by 16 at one point and we cut it to 11 at the half. We were able to keep going after halftime.”
On national recognition:
“I think we’re surprising people nationally. We had a two-game skid in December. We’re beginning to put some things together, but we still have a way to go. We’re one of three teams in the league that are undefeated in league play. I think our play shows what people should think about us. We aren’t worried about rankings. We just go out and play our hardest. It doesn’t bother me at all that we aren’t ranked.”
On traveling to Knoxville and Lexington:
“The last few years, we haven’t played as well as we could against Tennessee. We have to have great practices and we’re going to give it our best shot (against Kentucky and Tennessee). Stay positive, stay aggressive, and do what we’ve done to win so far.”
Auburn Head Coach Jeff Lebo
Opening Statement:
“Congratulations to Kevin and Vanderbilt. I thought they played real efficient in the second half. I thought they scored a high percentage and got some easy buckets. I like the way we played to start the game in the first half. I thought we moved the ball well and shot the ball well. We got high percentage looks and we defended pretty well in the opening half.”
On spreading the floor and driving in first half:
“That’s what we did. I mean we’re not gigantic but we did a nice job in the first half. I thought we were driving and kicking the ball at the right time, allowing the right plays passing the ball.”
On stopping Vanderbilt’s runs:
“You got to be able to stop the run, I mean a timeout is one way, but you have to figure out how to get the ball inside. Our best shot inside is Knox, and he played 12 minutes and fouled out. For us he’s the guy who can score for us consistently. He’s been all over the place for us this season, sometimes he’s been really good and sometimes he hasn’t been as effective as we need him too.
On thinking if Vanderbilt is a Top 25 team:
“Yes, I think for one they got depth and they have an inside presence with two guys who can score inside. They have toughness in the point guard position with Beal, who is a senior leader, they’re well coached, and they have guys who can shoot it on the perimeter. “
On Vanderbilt being overlooked nationally:
“Probably, I mean I’m pretty close with King Rice, he was a teammate of mine, I brag on them all the time. He likes that they are kind of overlooked, but they’re a good team”
Auburn Player Lucas Hargrove
On Vanderbilt’s second half play:
“I felt like they were a lot more aggressive in the second half. I place some blame on the younger players and the bench as well as the team in general. We have to get better as a team. When the bench plays good for us, that’s when we are at our best. I felt like our bench play got a little relaxed in the second half and once they (Vanderbilt) got on their run, it was hard to stop them.”x