The University of Mississippi Athletics
Postgame Quotes: North Alabama
11/5/2017 | Men's Basketball
Ole Miss Head Coach Andy Kennedy
On Devontae Shuler's debut and getting used to the college game…
"Right now, as I am sure you can imagine, it is going so fast. As you saw with Bruce Stevens, once he just plays and goes with his instincts, he moves really fast. He has a quick twitch and can make some plays and that's just how he is. He is electric. I try to put a lot of pressure on these guys without creating this false hope. He is as talented as we have ever signed here, guard wise. He can do it all. He can guard you, he can dribble past you, he has great instincts and he snaps that thing off quick. Once he learns the plays and that, we can help him with his angle if he will run here instead of there. He's going to be something and really help us."
On if the goal was to get guys minutes today…
"Yes. I just try to get all these guys some minutes. They all deserve to play. We are still trying to figure out rotations and who does what, when, and where. Next Friday will be a lot different. When guys make a mistake, I wont be clapping and saying 'hey next play', I will get him out of the game. It will be a little different and more emotional. I have a pretty good idea of what Terence Davis can do with him being a veteran. I was pleased to see Stevens get 20 minutes and Shuler get 23 because he led our team (in scoring) as he was playing well. I thought it was important to get Dominik (Olejniczak) in the game because he hasn't played in awhile. Then at the end, to have those walk-ons get in the game, as they do such valuable things for us. It was good to get them the opportunity to be in and make some plays, I thought that was important."
On North Alabama…
"North Alabama isn't a bad team. They beat South Alabama two nights ago, 82-80. They are a good team. Bobby Champagne has been there a long time and I have a lot of respect for him. We had a situation where we had to change an exhibition schedule. His team is always good and they are always prepared. They are going Division I next year, I think into the Atlantic Sun. He has done a good job. We are not 40 points better than anybody. They played an in-state rival on Friday night, even though it was an exhibition game. Then they bused home and then bused over here, so they had dead legs, but I think we contributed to that. We can make people play chaotic offensively because we are athletic on the perimeter. Having Dom (Olejniczak) back there, KG's (Marcanvis Hymon) ability to block some shots and Bruce (Stevens) is really quick off his feet blocking shots. If we are constantly funneling guys in those guys, that's what allows us to get open on the floor. I think we took control fairly early in the game."
