Courtesy Florida Sports Information
Head Coach Todd Golden
Opening statement
“Disappointed. We did not play very well today. I was expecting a better effort from our group. A lot of credit to Tennessee, I thought they dictated the game from start to finish. Their physicality really, really bothered us all night. Couldn’t seem to get catches where we wanted. We couldn’t seem to get downhill the way we normally do offensively. We’ve been amazing offensively all year, and we looked terrible today, and I think a lot of that had to do with the way they guarded us – clearly – and they deserve a lot of credit for that. Again, they dictated from start to finish, and we just weren’t able to adjust with the way they played.”
On what was different compared to the first meeting
“It was all about the physicality. They’re incredibly physical. First half, I thought was a sign of the way the game was going, right? The score is 24-21 at halftime, just horrifically ugly basketball both ways with not a lot of fouls being called. We weren’t able to adjust well enough to the way the game is being played. I think that’s really it. They’re obviously an elite defensive team – very prideful, very physical. They can do that to you. Again, we’re generally able to attack a little better, and we just weren’t able to today.”
On Walter Clayton Jr.’s status
“Obviously he tweaked his ankle. He threw off his back foot in the first half off that ball screen, and he landed on a Tennessee guy. He was off his back foot fading this way. The guy came, not maliciously, but came into him under his body. [Clayton] landed on his foot, sprained it, taped it up, gave it a good effort in the second half. Obviously, he was not himself with his explosiveness, and we’ll just have to take it day by day. I don’t think it’s crazy, crazy serious, but I’m sure he’s pretty sore.”
Sophomore F/C Alex Condon
On the difference in the game
“In the second half, we needed to come out with more energy, be on the scout a little bit more and take away the shots we know those guys want … We started [the game] OK, but a lot of shots for us didn’t fall tonight.”
Sophomore F Thomas Haugh
On the difference today
“They were more physical than us and we just didn’t compete like we usually do. That’s the outcome that happens when you don’t get on the glass and have the turnovers that we did.”
Head Coach Todd Golden
Opening statement
“Disappointed. We did not play very well today. I was expecting a better effort from our group. A lot of credit to Tennessee, I thought they dictated the game from start to finish. Their physicality really, really bothered us all night. Couldn’t seem to get catches where we wanted. We couldn’t seem to get downhill the way we normally do offensively. We’ve been amazing offensively all year, and we looked terrible today, and I think a lot of that had to do with the way they guarded us – clearly – and they deserve a lot of credit for that. Again, they dictated from start to finish, and we just weren’t able to adjust with the way they played.”
On what was different compared to the first meeting
“It was all about the physicality. They’re incredibly physical. First half, I thought was a sign of the way the game was going, right? The score is 24-21 at halftime, just horrifically ugly basketball both ways with not a lot of fouls being called. We weren’t able to adjust well enough to the way the game is being played. I think that’s really it. They’re obviously an elite defensive team – very prideful, very physical. They can do that to you. Again, we’re generally able to attack a little better, and we just weren’t able to today.”
On Walter Clayton Jr.’s status
“Obviously he tweaked his ankle. He threw off his back foot in the first half off that ball screen, and he landed on a Tennessee guy. He was off his back foot fading this way. The guy came, not maliciously, but came into him under his body. [Clayton] landed on his foot, sprained it, taped it up, gave it a good effort in the second half. Obviously, he was not himself with his explosiveness, and we’ll just have to take it day by day. I don’t think it’s crazy, crazy serious, but I’m sure he’s pretty sore.”
Sophomore F/C Alex Condon
On the difference in the game
“In the second half, we needed to come out with more energy, be on the scout a little bit more and take away the shots we know those guys want … We started [the game] OK, but a lot of shots for us didn’t fall tonight.”
Sophomore F Thomas Haugh
On the difference today
“They were more physical than us and we just didn’t compete like we usually do. That’s the outcome that happens when you don’t get on the glass and have the turnovers that we did.”