Dec. 5, 2010

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Post Game Quotes vs. Clemson
Dec. 5, 2010

South Carolina Head Coach Darrin Horn
Opening Statement
I don’t know if anybody expected anything less from a rivalry game. I did not. I’m happy for our fans. I know how important this game is for the Gamecock nation. I’m especially happy for Sam Muldrow and Johndre Jefferson. Sam in particular because I think rivalries should be back and forth. We hadn’t won in six years and for Sam to be a part of breaking that streak is a good thing. It felt really good making sure he ends on a winning note. I’m very happy for him. I think there are things with this team that continue to encourage looking into the future. I don’t mean next year or the year after. I mean right now. I mean tomorrow. It’s that we keep finding ways and it’s different guys. This was a game where we didn’t get to play to our strengths, for a variety of reasons. We missed so many easy, open shots that could’ve at any moment changed the pace and could’ve changed the game, and it affected our guys mentally. At that one stretch they missed four or five baskets. I’ll have to watch the film, but they just couldn’t get it to go in. For a young team to have to grind it out the way that we did and still find a way to win and come out on top, it’s really encouraging. We’re not anywhere near where we’re going to be. We have to get a lot better offensively, for sure. But to hold them to 38% shooting and 3-of-16 from three is one area that’s key to us. Again I think all in all it’s a great win for a lot of reasons for this team.

On the play of Sam Muldrow and Johndre Jefferson
They’re seniors. It meant something to them, and I think they played like it. I think in a rivalry game, it kind of sounds cliché, but it comes down to who wants it more. I don’t think anybody wanted it more than Johndre and Sam. I thought Sam was really the difference in the game. We had a bunch of guys that made some big plays for us, that hit some really big shots, but Sam’s presence was huge from start to finish. Whether it was blocking shots, hitting a key jumper from the baseline, or knocking down huge free throws when it counted, he was the difference tonight. He brought us the presence tonight that I think makes him an outstanding player, and he played the way a senior should, especially in a rivalry game. We’re really happy with Sam. He was a huge key for us tonight.

On the challenge for the team to make more easy shots
I think there were times when we moved the ball better and got the shots that we wanted, and they just didn’t go down. This is a part that we need to learn and grow and keep getting better. They did a good job of pressuring us in the halfcourt – that threw our timing off a little bit. I think we stopped and got kind of stagnant. Those are basketball things that we need to continue to work on and keep doing a better job. I think we need to credit their defense for that and for us to understand how to do a better job of handling that. Those were the kinds of shots that we wanted that just did not fall in. I know Malik Cooke missed two in the second half that if he were to take 100 more times, he probably makes 99 of them.

Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownwell
Opening Statement
Obviously it was a very competitive game back and forth all night. I thought both players on both teams really competed and, unfortunately for us, we’re having trouble finishing some plays around the rim. But obviously our shooting is not where it needs to be. We just couldn’t keep up offensively. Our defense was good enough, but offensively we have to make more shots and finish more plays. (Bruce) Ellington made a big three, a tough shot. (Sam) Muldrow made two free throws and that was the difference.

On transition between systems and styles
Kids are basketball players. Sometimes a little too much is made of (saying) kids can only play one system. It’s like having 12 freshmen, 11 freshmen now. Everyday we go to practice, it takes longer to do everything than it normally does when you’ve been on with a team for a couple years. You just can’t get through the things you want to get through because you have to go back and re-explain it. They don’t understand it (and) you have to do it again. All of the terminology is different. There are days it becomes very difficult. It’s not attitude, it’s not effort, or trying; it’s just all new and because of that, everything just takes longer.

On the turnovers
There were some bad ones. We ran two actions and I think both guys were going to be wide-open. Demontez (Stitt) threw the one backwards to Milton (Jennings) at the top of the key and threw it at his ankles when he was wide-open. Then Tanner [Smith] threw the one to Andre [Young] when he really wasn’t quite looking, and that’s what I’m talking about. They’re not quite familiar with some of those things, and we don’t execute as well as we need to. Both guys were going to be wide-open, and we don’t get a shot on either possession. That’s a killer in a possession game.

On Bruce Ellington
He’s very good. He’s really good and we knew that. When you see the shots he made against Western Kentucky to put it in overtime and basically win the game, and the big three he made tonight, that’s just a player who’s got a little something special. That turns programs. Obviously Darrin (Horn) put him out there for 36 minutes tonight for a reason and he’s really good.