Chattanooga at Bellarmine
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020
Louisville, Ky. - Freedom Hall
Postgame Quotes

Lamont Paris, Head Coach
Overall thoughts after 77-68 victory at Bellarmine.
"Right before the guys come out, on the board, they get a little bit of last-minute instruction. One of the things we talked about was taking whatever they gave us and not having your mind made up on what you wanted to do. We had an idea that threes would be something they committed to in giving up as opposed to drives to the rim. Every team has a different strategy. They don't let the ball get in the paint very easily off the dribble. You're going to be forced to take and make some threes. We shot the ball well and I thought we moved the ball well. I thought with the shots we took we were going to sink or swim. I wasn't going to change what we were doing with how high quality of three-point shots we were getting."
 
On what Malachi Smith brings to the program.
"We saw super high character, a good feel for the game, a really good teammate, and loves to play and win. That's why we took him. We knew his skill was good. He's surprised he could get double doubles like that. We have done a good job boxing out and sometimes he's the recipient of those block out efforts. I showed that on the film after our last game. It's a great thing to see. I love double-double guys. They're my favorite guys. You don't get them by accident, you get them by effort. I'm happy for him and for us, but especially for him to be able to do that."
 
On a quick six-point spurt late in the second half to extend the lead to nine.
"That was huge. It got started with Jamaal [Walker's] three, which was huge. I think the clock was running down and he shot that with confidence. In a game like that, you feel like there's a touch of breathing room, but that's not the reality of it. That changes the whole complexion of the game. The complexion of the game changes at that point and it takes a certain kind of team to grind and come back. A lot of things have to go your way at that point. That was a pivotal exchange in determining the outcome of the game."
 
On moving forward.
"I think the guys are confident. They should be confident because they have played pretty well. But at the same time, we're not really in to making any profound statement about any sort of accomplishment or anything we've done. We haven't even established who we are as a team. I'm happy with the way we've played and the outcomes we've had. We've enjoyed playing with each other, being around each other, and we're looking forward to the next game. We know we haven't arrived, we haven't done anything except play well and that's the mantra. When the team plays well, everybody is happy. We're just trying to focus on that and improving."
 
David Jean-Baptiste, RS-Sr.-G
On tying a team record with 17 threes.
"It just starts with us sharing the ball and keeping things simple. This team is a very well coached team and with that you have to play smart and simple and that's what we did."
 
On the young guys playing large roles.
"It's very beneficial. These young guys have great confidence in themselves, and with that, it makes the team more confident. They'll keep playing hard and having confidence in themselves and it'll be great."
 
On the continued success at UTC.
"It's all God. I think throughout life, if you just do the right things, I believe that it'll come around. I believed that my whole life. Just doing the right things. It's all His timing and everything I do is all through Him."
 
Jamaal Walker, RS-Fr.-G
On playing key minutes and feeling of 5-0 start.
"It feels good knowing that coach believes in me. It just puts so much confidence in you and it's an amazing feeling. It feels like we're 5-0. It's as good as you can start a season. We have a lot of stuff we still need to work on."

On goals coming into this season.
"My goal is to win in a team effort. That's just a combination of the team for driving and opening things up. I thank my team on that."