Dec. 20, 2008
Vanderbilt 83 – Tennessee Tech 63
December 20, 2008 – Memorial Gym
Attendance: 12,700
Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt Head Coach
Opening Comments:
“Everything about tonight’s game was better except for our rebounding and a couple of turnovers in the second half. Our offense opened up a bit. For the most part, I thought we took the right three point shots. We got the ball inside to A.J. [Ogilvy] and he did a good job with it.”
On Vanderbilt’s Bench Play:
“It was great. Lance [Goulbourne’s] seven rebounds are significant. For a guy to come in for 15 minutes and get seven rebounds is a good night’s work. As he continues to condition, he’ll continue to play well and play better.”
On What Makes the “Right” Three Point Shots:
“The right guy, the right spot, and the right amount of time. We only have one or two guys who can make threes on the move, but one or two guys is all anyone has. Jermaine Beal continues to shoot well. Brad [Tinsley] shot well. Those guys are going to have our perimeter scoring for us.”
On the Overall Game:
It’s close to as well as we’ve been offensively. I don’t feel like we’re all the way there, but we’re close. In the last three halves, we’ve been over 40 points. If our team gets over 80 [per game], I’ll be tickled. Part of it is being able to get some practice time in. It gave us an opportunity to improve our half court offense. I think it’s paying dividends now.
Vanderbilt Players
George Drake, guard
On Lob Play:
“(laughs) We work on shots like that after practice. But really though, the pass was great and I was able to put it up there.”
On Offense:
“I don’t think our offense has been that much of an issue this year. We just have to be patient and we really had to wait to gel.”
On Coming Off the Bench:
“I feel like my role is more defined. They really encourage us to be a spark and make the most of our minutes, and I think both Lance (Goulbourne) and I did that tonight.”
Lance Goulbourne, guard/forward
On Play in the First Half:
“Coach Rice just told me that I had to be aggressive and play my game. I really just capitalized on openings to the basket.”
On Rebounding:
“I think I’m generally a good rebounder. Seven (rebounds) in 15 (minutes) is good, for sure. I just went after the ball. We need to work on our offensive rebounds though, because they had more offensive boards than we did. Their #20 (TSU Forward/Center Daniel Northern) had way too many rebounds on us and we need to work on that.”
On 3-pointers:
“Well we lost Alex and Shan from a year ago, so you could say that we are less of a 3-point shooting team. But Brad is easily our best 3-point shooter. Jermaine, Brad, even A.J. can get out to the perimeter and get those threes.”
On Recovery from Mono:
“I got tired at one point and gave Coach (Stallings) the signal to come get me, which is putting my fist up. It’s going to be a long process, and I’m definitely not 100%, but I think I’m getting better and stronger every day.”
