Postgame Quotes - Clemson at Wake Forest
2/11/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2012
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Clemson 78, Wake Forest 58
February 11, 2012
Lawrence Joel Coliseum
Wake Forest Head Coach Jeff Bzdelik
Opening Statement...
"Obviously, we are embarrassed. Obviously, we have some limitations on this team. And as the game goes on, those limitations, at times, will diffuse our energy in areas that we can control like defense and rebounding. What we have to do is be stronger and tougher to stay the course with great energy in those areas that we can control. And that's what we talked about in that locker room, controlling those things that we can control right now. And I think that these past couple games we have come out with good intentions and then our energy in those areas that I just mentioned - defending and rebounding - just get diffused because of our limitations in our other areas. We need to be stronger mentally to stay the course in the areas that we can control."
On trying to keep a positive attitude amongst the players...
"Listen, I will be very honest. Yeah, confidence always needs success at some point, it does. We have gone through a tough stretch here. Our confidence has been rattled and we need to rise above that and stay confident as best we can. That's the challenge, no question."
On mental toughness...
"The mental toughness is more important than physical toughness. The physical toughness is what it is. What we are referring to is the mental toughness. It takes an extremely mentally tough person to persevere and get through some tough, rough difficult times, especially when coupled with some limitations."
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell
Coach Brad Brownell's opening comments...
The first quarter was fine, and they played really good there for six to eight minutes in the middle of the first half. Then, they were a little undisciplined and kept shooting from the free throw line, which was problematic. Tanner made some big plays and big shots in the first half which rallied us. I thought that we were more solid and better defensively in the second half and we were able to separate. We had one of those nights where we shot really well and obviously that makes everything a lot easier, so it was a good win for our team.
On taking control in the second half...
Making shots always helps. Early on we got a couple of long rebounds and loose balls, and those led to extra possessions, and we had several possessions in the first half where we're guarding guys on cuts off of balls and calling fouls, so now we can't guard them at 15-for-15 in the line at half time. I bet half of those weren't drive on the baskets or fast breaks, it was just a little bit of undisciplined play. We cut some of that out and we made shots. Tanner made those two three's, and we had some transition baskets. We just played better.
On winning by a significant lead...
We responded at the end of the first half and got back in the lead. I was really proud of the guys, and I told them at half time that this could have been an issue where we hung our head a little bit and it could have been an issue where the game was slipping away. The guys hung in and battled, and we were helped by the fact that we have two seniors that really care. Our team looks to Tanner and Andre, who provide energy and positive feedback. We had other guys play well, Devin Coleman had his best game of the year, Milton Jennings made some big shots, so we had several guys play well and that's what it takes for us to win.
