Feb. 21, 2012
– Georgia Tech Head Coach Brian Gregory
Opening Statement
“That was unfortunate that we weren’t able to respond to a tough loss on Saturday, with a better effort today. We have struggled all year long, it is no secret, with teams that have pressured us and have pressured the ball. In the first half today, we struggled with 12 turnovers, at Clemson in the first game against them, we had 17 in the first half. That is 29 possessions in 40 minutes of basketball that you don’t even get a shot up. We started off scoring the first two baskets and defensively we got five straight stops. Instead of extending that lead, we turned the ball over four straight times. I am disappointed in our response, we have tomorrow off, this has been a tough stretch with all of the injuries and having three games in six days, so we will have the day off tomorrow and get back to work Thursday.”
On the point differential
“It is hard. You have to give the guys a little slack because defensively, it is hard to keep going back and get stops when you aren’t scoring at all. The numbers are skewed, but they scored five points in transition and six points on second chance in the first half, that is 11 of their 27 points. With our 12 turnovers, that is 12 possessions that we didn’t even get a shot up. Against pressure you have to do three different things; break them down off the dribble, be able to hurt them on the cuts and screening, which we are getting better at, or you need to be able to throw the ball in the post. Our best action is when we got the ball into the post and sometimes our post players rushed a little bit. We are working on it, but we have to get a lot better at that.”
On Daniel Miller’s post play
“At times [he is more comfortable facing the basket]. It also depends on where he catches the ball in the post. We would like him to shuffle dribble, if he can’t score right away, and look to score on every play.”
On running out of steam
“I think there we were a little sapped in the juice department. Jason [Morris], give that kid credit. Banged up a little bit, probably a little more than a little bit. He gave it a go. Once the doctor says that it is fine and healing, and you can’t cause any more damage to it, do what you can tolerate. Jason, that was a guy that was trying to give everything that he has. You could tell that he was slow and didn’t have that explosiveness. Had a couple good looks early that maybe would have made that foot feel better if they went in, but unfortunately they didn’t.”
Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell
Opening Statement
“That was a very good defensive performance by our guys. I made that a point of emphasis before the game. We played a little better at times then we did at North Carolina. Defensively we held them to a low shooting percentage. Offensively, I thought we were okay. We turned the ball over a little too much, and had some careless turnovers in transition. All in all, I am very proud of our guys for staying focused and energized. It was a good road win for us.”
On maintaining the energy throughout the game
“I thought it was really good. I was proud of our guys. I think at this time of the year, it is really hard as coaches when you are not having a great season to keep your guys up all the time and have them ready. It is a tough situation for Brian (Gregory) and his guys to come back, after having lost to Wake Forest and Virginia Tech in a quick turnaround. They played well and probably deserved a win. That is hard. We probably caught them at a good time. Our guys did a good job. We went with some older guys, with some juniors and seniors. I thought they approached it the right way. I thought that was a big part of the difference.”
On coming out strong in the second half
“We set up a really nice set play to start the second half. We got (Devin) Booker a dunk, which was good after a tough first half when he went 0-6. Then we followed that up and scored again. That just gave us confidence to play the second half. We put Georgia Tech on their heels a little bit, and then it was back and forth. I thought the Georgia Tech kids continued to play hard. They missed some makeable shots in the second half. They always do a great job, and Brian (Gregory) is a great coach. He really gets his guys to rebound, and they compete hard on the boards. They got a bunch of offensive rebounds again against us. But our guys executed pretty well in the second half. Except for some careless turnovers, I was pleased with the way we played.”
On Milton Jennings’ outside shots
“I have talked to him since he came back, and I would like to see him shoot more perimeter shots and one dribble pull-ups, then trying to make so many plays going to the basket. He can drive it to the basket, but sometimes he does it at inopportune times, and his turnover numbers go up. I would much rather see him shoot a drag-three, when we drag a defender through space or catch it and make a one-dribble pull-up move. I think that is a strength of his game, when his confidence is good. I thought he looked to do that.”
