Jan. 24, 2007

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<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>South Carolina vs. Arkansas Quotes

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South Carolina Head Coach Dave Odom

“I felt very proud of our team tonight, had a chance to lose the game tonight, but we didn’t. This shows a real sign of growth for our team.”

“I was very pleased with the first half except for the number of turnovers. We had ten turnovers in a half. I thought maybe four or five of them were unforced. We didn’t take care of the ball; didn’t show consciousness. Our commitment to take care of the ball really worried me.”

“We couldn’t keep them off the free throws line tonight. They were 15-17 .We shot 17 free throws but they were all late.”

Arkansas Head Coach Stan Heath

“They wanted the game more than we did. [South Carolina head coach] Dave [Odom] certainly did a good job of keeping his team’s spirits up. They were ready to play. We’re still learning that in the SEC; every night is a dog fight. When you don’t have you’re A game and you don’t play 100 percent, you have problems.”

“They controlled the tempo of the game. We were sloppy with the basketball in the first half, and that hurt us, and we just didn’t guard the way we were supposed to in the first half.”

“The first half set the tone, and we just didn’t do a good job. Even though we came back and put ourselves in position [to win]. Lay-ups, intensity, and turnovers caused it.”

“We’re immature, and we just simply have to grow up. We’ve got to keep focus, and we’ve got to finish plays. We had chances for lay-ups, and good teams make those plays.”

Evka Baniulis:

On the win:

“This was a good win, a win we needed. Everyone was really happy with this win.”

On the team:

“This was a different team. We passed the ball and worked together as a team. Defensively, we just came together better than we have in past games.”

Tre Kelley:

On the game:

“We were a lot more focused than we have been, but we’ve got to keep working and play harder.”

On the teams confidence:

“It definitely does a lot for the team’s confidence, especially with the defensive play and the rebounds. When we play well and guys come in and make the shots, it helps us going into the rest of the games.”