Chattanooga at Middle Tennessee
Monday, December 7, 2020
Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Murphy Center
Postgame Quotes
 
Coach Lamont Paris
Opening Statement:
"I thought the guys really competed against a really physically talented team. It was a good test for our guys. They made it hard to get catches…hard to run offense like we wanted. It forced us into some pretty aggressive things off the dribble. I just liked the fight I saw especially young guys like Jamaal (Walker) and Jaden (Frazier)."
 
Describe how A.J. Caldwell is able to affect the game in so many different ways:
"You've heard the old saying 'jack of all trades, master of none'. That's pretty appropriate to describe A.J. We're nicked up with some injuries and having to play guys like A.J. out of position at times. He's has a calming presence out there. He just gets a lot of things done."
 
On the versatility of the squad to date:
"It's great experience. We weren't able to do scrimmages or exhibition games early in the year so any minutes and situations we get are beneficial. It's great for the opportunity these guys have taken to show how we can play different ways when we get some guys back."
 
Malachi Smith, So.-G
Being able to figure out how to win games in the second half:
"Sometimes I think it's good to face that adversity. Every game is not perfect. We've had good shooting nights and bad, it's good for us to get the experience to getting those stops. You can't control the shots falling, but you can control what you do defensively. Defense is our backbone."
 
The versatility of the lineup like tonight with you & A.J. Caldwell guarding post play on possessions:
"It's your heart at the end of day. Be physical and don't let it be easy. They assume they have the size advantage, but then you force them to do something they're not accustomed to doing."
 
On knocking down an early 3 tonight:
"I'm a capable shooter. I don't force shots, but I'm confident in my shot and taking what the defense is giving me. We were in the bonus early, so I didn't want to let them off the hook and take early 3s."
 
Is there a point where you're locked in rebounding averaging double-figure rebounds:
"I want to help the team. We don't have a lot size in there compared to other teams we're playing. It's not an individual thing. Coach says helping our big guys rebounds helps us win so I look at it as a necessity."
 
A.J. Caldwell, Jr.-G
On playing in the post as well as the wing in the second half:
"I just try to do whatever coach asks me to and get a win. Whether he wants me to get in there and bang around at the 4 or play up top on the wing, I try to do it to the best of my ability. I'm not the most athletic or the strongest, but I try to play hard and use my angles."
 
It's starting to look like the team is settling in:
"Getting off to a good start is huge for us especially considering all the uncertainty around the COVID stuff. It's a blessing in disguise though because we get to focus on basketball and each other and play basketball. Coach is putting us in good positions to win, and we're doing a good job executing. It's good to have that momentum going into the next few games."