Jan. 19, 2010
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery
– Georgia Tech Coach Paul Hewitt
Opening Statement
“That was a rough game to watch because both teams really played hard defensively and had a great feel for the game. It was like a late season game where everyone knew each others sets and tendencies. It just became a game of trading punches, basically.
“I loved our effort. Tonight was a sign in growth and mature in that we didn’t make shots, we didn’t do somethings that make you feel good on the basketball court. But, yet we sustained our effort. We had 22 offensive rebounds. We hung in there and pulled out a very important win for our guys.”
On how important it was to have two experienced players in D’Andre Bell and Zach Peacock on the free throw line at the end of the game:
“They shot them like seniors. That last play, they had been taking away the point guard and our release man. So, we told Zach [Peacock] to flash to the middle if they did that. He got to the middle, drew contact with [Trevor] Booker and drew the foul.”
On Glen Rice Jr.:
“He’s has great basketball instincts. He’s one of the smartest freshman I’ve been around in a long time. Glen is a good player and he’s going to keep getting better.”
On Derrick Favors’ Performance:
“I thought that after the Virginia game he looked completely comfortable out there. That’s what happens with freshmen. It’s like watching Thaddeus Young when he was a freshman; in the second half of his freshman year he put up some big numbers. Derrick [Favors] scored 17, but he would be the first to tell you he left some out on the floor. He had some chippies that he should’ve made and he’s a much better free throw shooter.”
On how important the victory was:
“It’s important to win at home; you have to win at home. We let up slip away at home [against Florida State] already. So, we have to win all these home games.”
Clemson Head Coach Oliver Purnell
Opening Statement
“I thought it was a whale of a basketball game, and it really is a shame that we didn’t win. I thought our guys battled and hung in there. We regrouped in the first half; I thought they were physically handling us. I thought we played through that. I thought our pressure defense was outstanding, we got a running game going, and we started playing Clemson basketball through the physical-ness and as a result we were able to not just get back into the game but get back and take the lead late. Our guys don’t have anything to hang their heads about, they came on the road in the ACC against a hot team and we put ourselves in a position to win and it just didn’t happen.”
On In-Bounds Play with 3 Seconds Left
“We wanted to get Demontez [Stitt] on the fly over the top, and I thought we had a chance to get it in there but the pass was just a little bit off. There was a loose ball scramble and if we had come up with it, we had a guy open at the basket. It was tough sledding with three seconds to go, but we wanted Demontez [Stitt] to take it out, throw it to Andre [Young] out of bounds and then we throw it over the top. Maybe he just didn’t have enough juice to run it down.”
“I was impressed with him as a physical talent. He has a world of potential. I saw him in high school in AAU basketball. There is no denying his talent and how valuable he is to their team.”
On Run to Take the Lead
“It was a continuation of more of what we were doing. We went to the line and knocked down a couple of free throws. We had Demontez [Stitt] getting to the basket. I can’t remember the exact sequence, but it was just Clemson basketball: pressing and running and spacing and defending and turning them over. Clearly we had the momentum.”
On Withstanding First Half Run from Tech
“It is a good sign. We talked about the way we thought the game would unfold so they were braced for that. We talked about how now is the time we just have to hang in there and get into the half. I thought our guys did a good job with that and came out in the second half and went toe-to-toe.”
