2016-17 Chattanooga Mocs Basketball
Post-Game Quotes vs. Marshall
Chattanooga, Tenn. – Dec. 6 – McKenzie Arena

Matt McCall, Head Coach
On second half adjustments.
"I think anytime you're playing the game, things aren't going to go your way. I thought in the first half I did a poor job in some areas, calling ball plays, putting our guys in the right spot offensively to score. We made some adjustments in the second half that I thought really helped us offensively and we scored 63 points. We made those adjustments and made some free throws, it's just a mental thing. It's just a different level of focus, but I thought our energy level in the second half was the difference."

On Tre' McLean's 35-point performance.
"He's everything you want in a player. He is wired the right way, he completely puts winning first. He completely puts his teammates first. You coach guys like him, (Justin) Tuoyo, (Greg) Pryor, (Casey) Jones and everyone else, it's a one-in-a-million type thing as a coach. He (McLean) is one of the best players to ever come through this program."

On keeping up with the speed of Marshall's offense.
"You're going to play explosive teams and score a lot of points and run the floor. I felt like fatigue became a factor towards the end of the game and that played into our hands. We have to continue to get better and with finals weeks coming up, we have a lot of free time to practice and get better."

On staying up and finishing the game.
"We kept talking as a staff that it's going to come down to who makes the last run. I felt like fatigue wasn't a factor for us coming down the stretch. We were able to get stops when we needed to and were able to make baskets when we needed to. Those three back-court players (Browning, Elmore, Loop) are terrific, they are going to win a lot of games in Conference USA."

On the atmosphere of McKenzie Arena.
"It was by the far the best atmosphere this season. I thought the crowd was awesome, I looked over and saw the students and they were there. We need games like this, to have the energy and needing to get stops down the stretch. We need games like this going into the Southern Conference to prepare for a championship atmosphere. I thought the crowd was excellent and this was an overall fun game to be a part of."

Tre' McLean, Sr.-G
On second half success.
"I think in the first half our team had a certain expectation because of our success the last few games. We've come out and won with a pretty good lead. I think this is the first time that it was a real competitive game for us since Tennessee and it was at home in front of our fans. The first half we didn't really do a good job at handling adversity, but at halftime I just told the team 'embrace it and have fun. I'm having fun right now. We might be down, but we're only going to get this opportunity once to come out and play against this team with these fans out here tonight'. I think just coming out in the second half we embraced it and came out with the win."

On awareness of statistics.
"No. Not really. My teammates just tell me to do whatever it takes to win. They have unbelievable confidence in me. We love each other. While I'm out there, I'm just playing the game. It could be anyone's night and tonight was just my night."

On turning defense into offense.
"At some times I felt like we were of flat. My biggest thing was to try to bring some intensity, keep preaching defense and bring that intensity to defense. Most of the time when I focus on defense, the offense just comes in. That's what happened tonight."

Justin Tuoyo, Sr.-F
On second half adjustments.
"The team just trusts in me. They all talked to me. I was real down on myself at halftime. Coach McCall came to me and just said 'Let it go. I've been here a thousand times'. My teammates really trust in me and they really lifted me up. First play after halftime, coach called a play for me and it really just got me going. I couldn't have done it without my teammates and Coach McCall."

On McKenzie Arena's atmosphere.
"One of the hardest games I've ever played in. That's a tough team, competitive, great talent, great coach. The crowd was unbelievable tonight. That's what you want to be a part of every night you step out. The fact that it went down like that, that's what you play ball for. It was just a great night."