The University of Mississippi Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Florida
1/13/2018 | Men's Basketball
Ole Miss Head Coach Andy Kennedy
On the offense…
"For about the last 10 days, or two weeks, our emphasis has been trying to get the ball to the paint. Sometimes you can do that off the pass, especially if Bruce (Stevens) is in there, or off the bounce. Our biggest problem has been we try to attack the strong side of the floor, and ball movement hasn't been as good. I thought today the ball turned, which allowed us to have some driving lanes. Obviously, when Bruce is in the game we are trying to play through him. Especially if it is a one-on-one situation, so we are trying to make sure he touches it. Anytime I say, "touch", I am telling our guards to let the big guys touch it, and today we had an opportunity to do that and were able to get the ball to Bruce and he made big plays for us."
On an indication of how good this team can be with consistent scoring…
"As I told the team after, this really should be the new standard. Florida was leading the SEC. They already went and blew out Texas A&M at A&M. They won at Missouri and have been playing great basketball. When I look at these numbers we are plus nine on the glass, we don't turn it over and our inability to make a shot was troubling, as it has been now for about a month. I thought our group really grew up. We were down eight with about 12 to play and hit back-to-back threes. We didn't flinch. (Markel) Crawford came down and hit a three, Deandre (Burnett) hit a hard shot and we went through Bruce and then next thing you know the game is back tied and it was a one possession game from then on out. To see us shoot 60 percent (in the second half) against a team like Florida certainly is promising."
On making winning plays…
"When Bruce (Stevens) got on the floor for loose balls, we win the loose balls 50/50 battle 10-6, we are pretty efficient there. We shot 10 more balls in the paint, just trying to get the ball close to the basket and didn't settle. Bruce is getting more experienced, and he is the guy we are trying to go through."
Florida Head Coach Mike White
Opening statement…
"It is different to come here and compete against your alma mater. It was a great environment today. I thought both teams battled; Ole Miss battled a little harder. I thought they played with great edge and character and physicality. They won a majority of 50/50 balls down the stretch in the second half. They wanted it a little more. Beat us on the glass. Bruce Stevens was terrific. Crawford was really good. Burnett was really good as he is consistently. I thought they were the better team today."
On Bruce Stevens…
"We have doubled the post a lot lately, and we decided not to when coming into this one. If you go back, maybe you do, I don't know. If you don't get early foul trouble that helps you a little too. He is playing with great confidence, and they did a good job of good post potion, Andy Kennedy putting him in a good position. They have so many weapons on the perimeter as well. They really stretch you and allow for an easier post pass. You can't really pack in the paint on these guys. When they have it going offensively, they are as hard to guard than any team in our league. As Bruce continues to develop for these guys, they are going to be even more difficult to defend."
