Clemson vs. South Carolina Postgame Coaches’ Quotes

Dec. 6, 2009

Clemson Head Coach Oliver Purnell

On his team’s performance: “You’re always pleased with a win against your archrival. I thought our defense on (Devan) Downey was outstanding. We focused on not letting him get going in the first half. I thought we played with energy, but we turned the ball over too much. I’m really pleased with this win going into exams.”

On his team’s inability to convert around the basket: “The fact that we’re getting looks in there is good. Those are tough shots because they are all contested. We need to make those, but the fact that we’re getting the ball inside is a good sign.”

On the difference between today and the Illinois game earlier this week: “Obviously we weren’t perfect. We got the game going up and down, and we were able to force some turnovers. I thought we played Clemson basketball in the second half.”

On his team’s three-point shooting: “We’re generally better when we get the ball inside. We have good shooters who shoot a good percentage, and we have good passers inside. (Trevor) Booker had a career-high seven assists today.”

On the play of Jerai Grant: “He was really, really good. If he continues to play off Booker, he can be all over the offensive glass.”

South Carolina Head Coach Darrin Horn

Overall Thoughts: “Anytime that rivals play it is going to be a battle. These are the kind of games we want to be in. I am not surprised that it was a tough game. The difference was that we had stretches where we didn’t do what we needed to. There were just too many breakdowns defensively. Once they stretched the lead out, it was hard to come back.”

On Devan Downey: “He just didn’t play well. We needed other guys to step up to though. Guys just didn’t play well today.”

On first vs. second half: “We got the shots we needed to in the first half. In the second, we just couldn’t get those shots to fall. There were too many breakdowns and we couldn’t keep them from scoring.”

On his zone defense: “They did a better job against it in the second half. Booker was able to kick the ball out and they hit some key threes. We were staying inside instead of getting out on those threes, and that is our fault. We went to it because we were short-manned and had seen that Illinois was able to have success with it against Clemson.”

On the play of his freshmen: “I expect them to play well. They are both winners and their play impacts the game. I wasn’t surprised to see them do well. It was good to see.”

On the team’s rebounding: “It is huge. Tonight it was a bigger weakness for us on the offensive glass. Rebounding is always important and we weren’t able to get those offensive rebounds like we needed to.”