Feb. 14, 2006

Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery

USC Coach Dave Odom:

“I am tremendously proud of the effort and performance of our team tonight.”

“To be able to beat a team like Alabama speaks volumes of how far our team has come.”

“Renaldo did everything a good basketball player should do. He more than held his own on the defensive side of the ball.”

“Tre’ was called upon to make some key plays and shots in the second half and he did that.”

“This was a really good win for us.”

“The biggest difference in our team (in the last couple weeks) is on the defensive end.”

“It is going to be a big weekend for us. Kentucky is always a tough assignment anytime you play them, but it is even more difficult when their backs are against the wall.”

Senior Guard Tarence Kinsey:

“I can’t remember (the last time we’ve played this well). We’re just confidence right now, keeping our faith and believing we have a chance.”

Regarding Different Teammates Stepping Up:

“They’re working extra hard, doing what it takes, working hard in practice.”

“Renaldo got out of control today. He went out there and got 28 points and 16 rebounds? That’s SEC Player of the Week numbers right there. Balkman just got out of control.”

Junior Forward Renaldo Balkman:

“I loved (the signs and cheers from the crowd). I love the support. It brings a lot of attention to the team.”

“(Alabama) backed up and didn’t think I’d shoot (the 3-pointer). They gave me room so I pulled up and shot it.”

“We played lethargic. We weren’t out there playing hard. We came in today and at halftime said `It’s 0-0 at the half’ and came out and did it the second half.”

“Right now we’re on a three game winning streak. We’re on a roll right now. We have a day to rest, go to class, then practice and get ready for Kentucky on Saturday.”

Alabama Coach Mark Gottfried:

“First thing is you have got to give them credit. They are playing with a lot of confidence right now. They’ve got a bounce in their step; you can tell by the way they are playing.”

“(Renaldo) Balkman had a phenomenal game, and we had one of those nights offensively.”

“We never got into a good rhythm. Defensively, they did some things and took some of our strengths away. We never seemed to get our aggressiveness back they way we need to around the basket tonight. We did some good things, but we turned the ball over when we didn’t need to and our freshman kind of played like freshman tonight and that hadn’t happened to us on the road.”