Clemson vs. Alabama State Postgame Quotes

Dec. 19, 2011

Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell

On his team’s play: “We had a nice offensive performance. We shot 50 percent. We got 25 free throws, which is something we’ve been talking about. We had 12 offensive rebounds and 16 assisted baskets. So we had good stats, except for turnovers. We maybe attempted one or two threes that were a little quick, but in games like this, that’s probably to be expected.”

On the development of K.J. McDaniels: “He’s very athletic, but at times he relies on his athleticism instead of sound basketball plays. Your athleticism can be a detriment if you don’t know how to use it. Even though he is athletic and he can jump up and make blocks and have some spectacular tip dunks like the one he had tonight, he really needs to learn how to be more physical. There are the two wow plays that you see with the athleticism that not very many other players can make, but the physical plays are almost every possession. The mental plays are every possession.”

On the lessons his team can take from the last two games against Winthrop and Alabama State: “I think Winthrop is a pretty talented group. They have some good players. I think we can build from that certainly. This was good to get some guys more game experience, because we were more talented than Alabama State. In the Winthrop game, I thought we had to come in and be focused, and I thought we set the tone early and never let Winthrop get comfortable. We started to do the same thing in the Coastal (Carolina) game, and then we just gave them baskets in the second half off of turnovers that gave them a chance to win. But I thought our play against Winthrop was very good and a step in the right direction.”

On the team’s opponents at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu: “I haven’t seen any of UTEP yet. I haven’t even accidentally seen them on television. I’ve seen Kansas State, and they’re really good and very physical and really athletic and strong and tough. I have not seen Southern Illinois, but Chris Lowery and I went to high school together. I know how he coaches, and he coaches like I coach with a lot of motion offense and physical defense. So, the competition will be good. I know that UTEP has a young team, but Coach (Tim) Floyd is very good. So this will be a good tournament for our guys. We need to play well.”