Postgame Quotes vs. CSU Bakersfield

OLE MISS HEAD COACH KERMIT DAVIS

Opening statement…
"We desperately needed a win. We needed to win a game. I think everybody knows we had a four-game stretch of clear opportunities. We got one of them, but three of them we didn't. We've all seen Rod's (Barnes) team play a bunch too. They are going to compete, they are going to be physical, and that's what they did. We got off to a great start and tonight. Every time we went to the bench, it was hard. It was really, really hard. I told our team, we can't function in the league we're in with bench play like that. They couldn't guard their position. So, it seemed like every time we subbed, the game just got turned. I thought our starters gave us good minutes, and that's why our bench was really short. I thought the scoring was really, really balanced. The starters got to the free throw line. Breein (Tyree), I thought that was the best he's played so far. Just like a good college guard, the ball just moved out of his hands. He made simple plays. Six assists, one turnover. Devontae (Shuler), six assists, no turnovers. It was sure good to see some balls go in for Devontae (Shuler) in the second half. Like I said, they killed us on the glass. They are a really good rebounding team. They out-rebounded Gonzaga by 10. That was a big emphasis of ours. That is the first team that really dominated us there. We're sure happy to get the win today."

On the offense…
"It got better. I thought we ran good offense against Butler. I went back and watched it. We got a lot of better shots than Butler did. We got good shots, that part is getting better. 18 assists today, six turnovers on 26 baskets. Our assist-to-baskets ratio was good against Butler (too). That is good to see, to have some guys see it go in."

On CSU Bakersfield's composure after Rod Barnes' technical fouls…
"I'm sure that's hard. I hate that. It's basketball. I don't know what the score was when it happened. I know down the stretch, we kind of stretched the game. It really wasn't 16."

CSU BAKERSFIELD HEAD COACH ROD BARNES

Opening statement…
"I was glad to be back at the university and glad to be back in the state of Mississippi. I'm glad to bring my team here to compete. Until about the last 12 minutes, it was a pretty focused week. I'm just thankful and grateful for what this university has done to and for me. It's great to be back. I got back here, and there's a lot of familiar faces. I'm thankful for the hospitality, but I didn't expect anything different from Ole Miss."

On the technical fouls…
"Well first of all, I was unhappy with several bang-bang plays throughout the game and we never got the call. I thought there were several times throughout the game that they were driving or there was a foul, and it seemed like the same play would happen. That was not my intention to get thrown out of the game on my part. I thought the second whistle was extremely quick. I probably deserved the first whistle just because of actions on the side. But also in that I represent California State University Bakersfield, and we're not taking a backseat to anyone even though this is my alma mater. I'm carrying guys to the floor with the expectation of winning. If anyone starts to not respect us in any way, I have to step up and defend our guys. Again, there was never a curse word, I didn't demean the referee. I've never had a call in 30 years that I've ever called the officials a name or curse word indicating anything or insinuating anything besides professionalism. It's disappointing that this happened at the university that I played at that something like that would happen so quickly. If there had been another play and I continued, we didn't have another chance to get into another series. Again, I'm not in the SEC anymore and I don't know who the supervising official is, but I won't be calling or anything. I'm just not going to take it."

On how many ejections Barnes received while coaching Ole Miss…
"Only one at Alabama, but I deserved it. It wasn't intentional either, but I deserved it. Again, I didn't curse, but it's just so interesting to me and disappointing as I said that I know coaches curse and use profanity. I didn't know they deemed referees and I didn't do that, and to get thrown out of the game especially in a moment like this – first time back for that to happen – is disappointing. But that doesn't take anything from the game or their team. I'm thankful to Coach Davis that he would invite me back and the hospitality the university showed. Again, it's what I expected. I'm just disappointed that the game would go that way, but I'm not so disappointed that I wouldn't do it again. When we go into a fight and a battle, I'm fighting for our guys and our university and for our city."

On Ole Miss Basketball…
"First of all, I think they have a great coach. I'm excited that Coach (Kermit) Davis is in charge. I think the commitment that the people have made here to men's basketball is wonderful. I would hope that we played a small part in that. It's great to be across the country and seeing the coaches and recruits show respect to this university towards the athletic department. What the supporters and the fans have done here, I'm a proud Ole Miss Rebel. I'm excited. People ask me 'what if this' and 'what if that'. Everything has a time and place. It was time for the university to step up men's basketball. They have done an unbelievable job of making a commitment to the men's basketball program. If I played any part in that, then I'm thankful. I'm proud of the university, I'm proud of the coaches, and I'm proud of the program. You've got my full support."

On the slow start…
"I thought our team is learning how to come out and be aggressive. A lot of things that happened today are kind of a reflection of what happened when I was here at Ole Miss as far as going to places and knowing you are up against a giant. I told our guys that once we get ourselves together, they are a good basketball team and well-coached. We have a good basketball team also. So, once we got that by us, you have to give them credit. They had not been hitting shots, and they hit some shots early. Struggled a little throughout the game, but they hit shots early and gave them the lead. I was never down on our guys because I thought we would do as we did. I thought we would find our way. That is just the newness of our players. Losing three starters, three of your top four or five guys last year. We are just trying to figure our way through, but we'll get better every game. Obviously, I was disappointed that we were down, but I wasn't discouraged."

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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