University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis 67, Southern Miss 61
Feb 12, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 12, 2011
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MEMPHIS COACH Josh Pastner
Overall comments on the Memphis victory
“I thought that we did a great stop-and-go. We came out of the time-out and boom the last two times they ended up in key times hitting that three in transition. With 2:20 left to go we were up one after Tarik (Black) made two huge free throws.
“We made free throws, but the guys battled. You have to give the guys a lot of credit. We went small, we went big, we went zone, we doubled, we switched. We even went the triangle in two possessions. They hit some tough shots, Southern Miss, they are a good basketball team. They are a good team, and we were fortunate to get a W again. The guys came through and got big rebounds late when we needed to get rebounds. This is a very big win for Memphis. This is a very big win for Tiger Nation.”
“We have really good non-conference wins. This league deserves multiple bids. Three, four teams deserve to be in.”
What kind of man we needed to have to win tonight:
“We needed the sixth man. Tiger Nation was magical tonight. I thought the place was rocking. Over 18,000. I felt late in the game we needed some help, and other times in the game, Tiger Nation was there for us. They have been unbelievable all year, but extra special tonight. Great night for Tiger Nation, great job for the Tigers and great win for Memphis.“
What did Carmelo Anthony, Al Harrington and Coach George Karl have to say to the team?
“They just talked about how hard it is to get to the NBA. What it takes to be a great player. I thought Coach Karl gave a great word. The best talk that a player can be given to make his teammates better.”
“Playing hard is like a talent. You play hard for 40 minutes, you win; you play cool for a certain amount of time, you lose. You have to value every single possession.”
SOUTHERN MISS HEAD COACH LARRY EUSTACHY
Opening Remarks
"When we stuck with our game plan, we were very good. When we got away from it, and each individual on this team did at one time or another, we struggled. "
"They (Memphis) are a very, very good team. They went to UAB and won, and they beat us at home. They just find ways to win. It is not discouraging, just disappointing that we can’t come up with a win here. We just didn’t make the plays, and they did. Give them all the credit, they are the better team. No question about it they are the better team. They have now beaten us twice, and we just have to find a way to catch them (Memphis) and pass them when it comes (C-USA) tournament time. "
On having guard Gary Flowers in foul trouble early in the game
"It is just too bad that you are eliminated (fouled out) with only six games to go, as a senior. He is a guy that has just worked so hard. On that last (foul) call, I guess he just grabbed his jersey or something. It is just unfortunate because he really never got going. Obviously, without Gary Flowers we are a different team. "
"He was just never a factor in the second half, and that was the game. He only played nine minutes in the second half, and it was in and out. He is our leader and our toughness. Without him we just slipped and didn’t make the plays. I thought our guys played hard, but we aren’t just there yet. "
"The problem is that we have a team (UTEP) who is about three-times better, coming in on Wednesday. But we can’t look at it (the UTEP game) as a problem; we have to look at it as an opportunity. "
On Southern Miss’ free throw shooting late in the game
"We were 20 for 30 from the line down in Hattiesburg. You can’t go up there and make free throws for guys. We had good free throw shooters go to the line, and miss them in key situations. You just have to man up and make those free throws. It is a different game if we make those free throws. In spite of everything that went wrong, if we make our free throws we win the game."
