Clemson vs. Virginia Post-Game Coaches’ Quotes

March 4, 2009

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Clemson Head Coach Oliver Purnell

On Game: “I was pleased with our second half performance. We had 10 turnovers in the first half, and corrected that and only had 5 in the second. We were able to win the rebounding battle and play sticky defense. Sometimes senior night can be hard emotionally, and those emotions can slow you down. I thought in the beginning we were slow, but the emotions took over and gave intensity in the second. It was definitely a much needed win.”

On Landesburg: “We wanted to bring defensive energy. Watching the defense on him in the first game was painful, so we wanted to bring more energy to slow him down.”

On Second Half Defense: “We went full court man. They got some easy looks in the first, so we took that away and got a few turnovers.”

On Inside Game: “We made a point to attack inside. We were slow and tentative early on, but after the half we got into it.”

On Confidence After Two Losses: “You do not want to lose three games in a row. It can play with your mind, I believe we are resilient enough but I didn’t want to go there. It was another huge ACC game that we needed to win.”

On K.C.’s Senior Night: “I am not disappointed because he went out as a winner. He has won more games than any other player and I think that is more significant.”

Virginia Head Coach Dave Leitao

On how Clemson took control of the game: “Strategically, they got some point blank lay-ups and dunks that fueled them early. That put the onus on our half-court offense, and we did not do a very good job there.”

On whether his team needs to take the ball stronger to the basket: “I don’t think it’s that we need to take the ball up stronger. I do think we have missed a lot of point blank lay-ups, shots around the basket, open jump shots, more this year than I’ve seen.”

On how to deal with teams focusing on Sylven Landesberg: “It has caused some frustration on his part. We need to get him some help from the other guys. We have to move the ball better; we had seven assists tonight, which is not very good.”