Clemson vs. Gardner-Webb Post-Game Quotes

Nov. 24, 2007

Clemson Head Coach Oliver Purnell: “We played pretty well. It helps when you shoot well from the field and especially from the three. We did a good job keeping them to a low percentage from three. We’re concerned about injuries coming out of this game. It was good to see Jerai Grant step in and handle a lot of minutes. I’m pretty pleased with the effort. They are a good ball club. Our preparation was good and it paid off today.”

Gardner-Webb Head Coach Rick Scruggs: “Clemson’s been by far the best team we’ve played because they can score the ball. Clemson did a great job scoring in transition, and they were shooting the ball well tonight.

“Usually we are a little bit better a shooting team, our best two shooters were 3-11. It seemed like against UCONN and Kentucky we were able to get some easier shots, Clemson played some good defense. We tried to move our post a little bit and make them screeners. Clemson started to front and made it harder to feed the post.

“You pick your poison in defense. We decided tonight no take away the post and make them shoot it, and they did. It just sort of snowballed us. A lot of it had to do with how Clemson played. I don’t know what they did wrong but it didn’t look like much.

“We knew Clemson was quality. We knew they were going to be tough. We agreed that was the best team we’ve played all around. UCONN was huge and Kentucky had some skill, but as a team, Clemson is deeper and can shoot it a little better. Clemson was the first team to really take us out of the game. I think Oliver (Purnell) has done a nice job getting some shooters, and the way they shot today, they will be a tough out for anybody.”