Samford at Chattanooga
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021
Chattanooga, Tenn. – McKenzie Arena
Postgame Quotes
 
Lamont Paris, Head Coach
Overall thoughts after 73-68 win over Samford.
"I thought we did a good job defensively. I looked down at the stat sheet at halftime and they only had two transition points, which for them is a big part of what they do. We held them close to 20 points or so below their average. That's more of what we're trying to get done defensively. We gave up a back door at the end or we would have held them in the twenties in the first half. For a team that plays that way and has that many guys capable of scoring in bunches, I thought we did a really good job defensively and the guys showed some grit. Guys had grit and they fought, they made some plays and were strong with the ball when they needed to be. I was happy with that and the overall effort."
 
On what twas the difference between defensive performances the last two games.
"Our ball screen defense was one thing a little different and our practices leading up to this game were a little different. We were more aggressive and that's what I mean by that. It was a more aggressive defensive style of play and we're better when we play that way. I thought that was a big part in the VMI game, I thought we were very passive. I thought we were more aggressive defensively today and we got back in transition. And if you don't do that against them, you're going to have a tough time winning."
 
On Malachi Smith's clutch play down the stretch.
"There's skills, abilities, and all of that, but there's another thing that allows you to perform in those circumstances. You can't buy that in the stores, it's hard to describe it. You don't just have it, you have to get it from certain situations. He believes in himself and he knows we believe in him. He has a lot of confidence in those situations. It's nice to have a lot of guys you trust to touch the ball at the end of the game. To have three or four of those guys, you feel really confident. We have a lot of guys we trust in that situation."
 
On the work of the team's training and strength staff.
"The one success I had tonight, no one played 40 minutes. I have to be a good enough coach to get a guy at least a 30 second breather one time during the game and we were able to do that. They have done a phenomenal job. These guys have worked very hard in the offseason. Before we were even allowed to touch a basketball with the workouts we were doing, they made a huge commitment along with the strength and conditioning staff, the trainers, to be in the best condition we have ever been. Overall, it's been very good."

Malachi Smith, RS-So.,G
On bouncing back tonight with win over Samford.
"It was crucial. I think we got off to a hot start, but we have a target on our back so just getting this win is a good stepping stool to get a couple wins in-a-row."
 
On what was the difference between defensive performances.
"I think after watching film, we were talking more, communicating, being more aggressive. They're a fast-paced team and held them 20 points under their average. We were discipline and solid. We did our roles and we lacked that last game. Coach made an emphasis on that coming into this game."
 
On the off-season training program.
"It was very important. You don't know at the time it's going to come down to that. We didn't know we'd only have eight players. Our strength and conditioning coach always will make us go hard. A lot of the stuff we did prepared us for this. He'd always tell us to push to the next media to let us know what it'd be like when it came to that point."
 
A.J. Caldwell, RS-Jr.-G/F
On team assist total tonight.
"Anytime you have 21 assists on however many field goals, it's good to see the ball moving. You get a lot of guys open and we have a lot of guys who can knock them down. Dave getting hot early was big and they started paying attention to him and opened Malachi a little bit. I just benefited off of that."

On current free throw woes and it not being a factor moving forward.
"I think so, absolutely. If you look at the other percentages, from three and just the overall shooting stroke, it's not mechanical. It's all up here and it's just something I'll have to get over myself. It's all good. I just need to break the seal, so to speak, so if I make one, I think more will come. There's a lot of games left and it's a small sample size, I'm not too worried about it."

On securing first SoCon victory.
"It was big for us. I think we can move forward and get over the hump a little bit. Losing those first two was tough and being able to bounce back, I think it's all up here from here. It's a good thing to get the first one under the belt and we're comfortable with the guys moving forward."

On the grueling off-season training program.
"We appreciate those things. If you look back, I don't think we'd nearly in as good as shape as we are now. A lot of its mental too. Running up a hill 40 times you think is tough physical, but it's just as tough mentally. If you can get over that hump mentally, it helps with the limited rotation we have."