Jan. 3, 2007

Recap | Final Stats | Notes

Post Game Quotes
South Carolina vs. Western Carolina
January 3, 2007

Coach Odom
“I’m very proud of our team, I really am. I’m not going to try to make Western Carolina out to be an SEC caliber team, but I will tell you that they’re a team that, like most Southern Conference teams this time of year, they’re well traveled. They have been all over the country and played in all sorts of venues against all sorts of teams, most of them high level. You’ve got to hand it to teams like that. I knew when they found out that Tre’ was not going to play, that would give them additional hope, not that they didn’t have plenty on their own, but they had additional motivation to come in here and try to knock us off. They played extremely well particularly after a slow start.”

“I think our team hung together. I’m very proud of them and appreciative of what they did. I thought we got a really good start, which shows that we worked hard. We’ve got to play the game in stages – almost mini segments. If we try to win five or six minutes at a time, maybe even smaller than that, and then see what we can do with it.”

“We got a good start, 14-6, and then our jump shot well went dry. They made a couple, and defensively we kind of fell asleep and gave up a couple layups and a three, and the next thing you know, we have a tight game at halftime. I really thought in the second half we would come out stronger than we did. They actually took the lead 35-34 one time, and we answered right back with Brandis Raley on the three. We made it more difficult than it was.”

“Bryce I thought played well. He played most of the game. The guy that I’d really like to compliment is Brandon Wallace. Brandon took over a fair portion of the ball handling responsibilities. Defensively he was outstanding, and he just kind of held our team together.”

South Carolina Player Quotes

Brandon Wallace

Regarding starting point guard Tre’ Kelley: “You have guys that can bring the ball up the floor and you have guys that can initiate the offense. All the things that he does, he’s at another level. You understand that once you run it and once you see it. I definitely have a lot of respect for what Tre’ does.”

Regarding free throws: “That’s how we sealed the deal. We’ve been shooting extra (In practice) as a team. If we don’t make 85% then we have to run. That’s a pretty high number. If we shoot 85% for the season, that’s unheard of.”

Bryce Sheldon

Regarding losing Tre’ Kelley:
“Whenever you lose your engine it’s hard, but we fought through and we stuck together. We’re a great team and we pulled through. Tre’ works his butt off for us.”

Regarding knowing of Tre’s absence beforehand: “It definitely helped us because Brandon had a few days to work at point (guard). Our white group – Zam (Frederick) and Devon (Downey) – pressured Brandon so he got used to the pressure. Knowing beforehand going into the game that we weren’t going to have Tre’ definitely helped us. Then again, I think Brandon did an excellent job running the point for us.”

Dominique Archie

On playing with four fouls: “I knew I had to play it safe. I just had to take my time and not pick up that foul.”

Regarding Brandon Wallace playing point guard:
“I think he did a great job. For it being his first time, he did a great job.”

Dwayne Day
On playing without Tre Kelley:
“It really didn’t matter. I knew that I had to play the point at sometime or another and Brandon would as well. The shocker was that Brandon Wallace was able to do it as well, so we were pretty much ready no matter which way it went.”

“I think we did pretty well. Actually I think we did great. I thought we would slack off but we picked it up and played well. Brandis and Brandon as well on the point.”

Western Carolina Head Coach Larry Hunter

On the game:
“I thought our young men gave a really competitive game today. We came in and controlled tempo, but I wish we would have shot better in the second half. From our perspective, we competed well and had some opportunities to really make a game of it. Our guys have been playing hard and playing well, but we’re a young team but we’re going to beat someone.”

On Tre Kelley:
“We caught South Carolina in a transition game. Tre is a special player and has the ability to go into the paint and make others play better. When you lose your point guard, it makes you play a little different, and I think South Carolina did well today despite that.”