The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss-Tennessee Postgame Quotes
2/10/2001 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 10, 2001
Ole Miss head coach Rod Barnes:
(On the game)
"Tennessee is a good team, but they were not playing as capable as they can today. Lots of guys on both sides were playing their hearts out. We came out with a lot of fire today. We focused on the game plan. This was a big game for our team. Our guys really stepped up."
(On being able to sub five players at a time)
"We have had a lot of guys playing well. John Gunn and Richard Kirklin have really stepped up their play. All of our guys have really focused at this point, and as a result, we have five guys who we can sub. Our team has gained a lot of depth in the last few weeks."
(On Aaron Harper)
"He is a good shooter. He has really matured. He is doing a good job, but the sky is the limit for him."
(On Ole Miss' SEC record)
"People across the country are probably pretty surprised that we are leading the (SEC) West, but I do not think the coaches are surprised. We have got the players believing in themselves. They are working harder and harder everyday."
(On the crowd)
"This is what big-time basketball is all about. Two ranked teams bring in a full-house. People are excited about the program."
Ole Miss freshman Aaron Harper:
(On his performance)
"I need to stay focused with my short shots. I have confidence in myself. My biggest challenge in the game is staying mentally focused. I have been doing a better job of it lately."
Ole Miss senior Jason Flanigan:
(On the team goals)
"We are just trying to go on and win the SEC and keep on going. We are trying to make it to the Final Four."
Tennessee head coach Jerry Green:
(On the game)
"Ole Miss was very hard to guard. They came out and played tough in the first half, and we could not get anything done. In the second half, their intensity was just as high. Our goal was to come back and be down by nine or less by the 10-minute mark in the second half. We got there at the 13-minute mark. We played harder and smarter, but Ole Miss is good both offensively and defensively, and they got the job done. They have a strong presence inside, and they know how to set the screens. They are just hard to guard, and this was their day."
(On Ole Miss' three-point shooting)
"We knew Aaron Harper could shoot. They had great ball movement. A lot of their players stepped up and made baskets. Anytime you allow a team to shoot 56 percent, you are not going to win too many ball games. I think they are a very good shooting team."
(On the absence of Tony Harris)
"He called his family two days ago and told them he did not think he would be playing here. His ankle is not swollen, and we had it taped up. We missed Tony more today than we did against Arkansas. Our other point guards did not play to their ability. They do not have Tony's speed. They were trying hard, but did not get it done. We are not playing as well without Tony."
Tennessee junior Vincent Yarborough:
(On Ole Miss)
"They shot (the ball) good today. I felt like our defense played good, but they just hit some great shots. We could not put it together in the end. We were not surprised at how well Ole Miss played. We knew they would be pumped up at home. You cannot take anything from them, they really took us by storm."
(On missing Tony Harris)
"We are really missing Tony a lot. He makes the passes that make it a lot easier for all of us. He is a great leader, and we need him back soon."
Tennessee senior Isiah Victor:
(On the game)
"We thought we had a shot in the second half, but we could not pull it together. It is hard to come back from 18 down (Ole Miss led 46-28 at the half)."
Tennessee sophomore Ron Slay:
(On the game)
"Ole Miss played a great game. They got out of the gate early, and really put it to us in the first half.
(On missing Tony Harris)
"He really brings a lot of experience to the court. He puts a lot of defensive pressure on the opposing guards. We missed him today, but we have to learn to fight through adversity."