Everything the Tigers said after their win over Mississippi State
The Tigers won a close one at Neville Arena on Saturday over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and sometimes, words don’t quite do a game justice.
Head coach Bruce Pearl certainly seemed to feel that after the game, as he didn’t have an opening statement. Instead, he simply took questions, saying that the tight 69-63 contest between the two teams was hard to explain. There was still a bit to talk about, though, especially regarding playmakers in Wendell Green Jr. and Jaylin Williams — who both had words of their own after the SEC victory.
Here is everything Pearl, Green and Williams had to say after the Tigers’ victory over the Bulldogs:
Bruce Pearl, opening statement
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“I think I’m just going to take questions. I don’t think I can begin to explain that (game).”
Bruce Pearl, on Wendell Green Jr.
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“You know Wendell gets bounced around a lot. It wasn’t until the end that he went to the free throw line. We had a crazy lineup out there. We had Lior (Berman) at the three, Al (Flanigan) at the four and Johni (Broome) at the five, because Jaylin (Williams) fouled out. We did not take care of the ball as well as we should’ve, but with Al (Flanigan) at the four, I called timeout because I wanted to get Al and Wendell at the top of the floor somehow. Al did a great job of getting Wendell a circle back and Wendell was able to make a big shot. Coming down the other end of the floor, Wendell makes a big defensive play and all of a sudden the game is ours. Making plays on both ends of the floor, it’s what you have to do to win.”
Bruce Pearl, on Lior Berman
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“Lior was solid defensively. He was pressured in the first half and they (Mississippi State) thought they would take advantage of him a little bit. But, he spun off and made a shot. Late in the second half, late in the shot clock, he was able to get off a three-ball. The fact that he was able to get that off and didn’t turn it over – Dylan Cardwell was then able to get a rebound. He was out there at the end of the game which shows my confidence in him.”
Bruce Pearl, on having "the Jungle" at full force
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“It was great to have the Jungle alive and well. It obviously elevated our play.”
Wendell Green Jr., on what was going through his mind in the final stretch
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“Just find a way to win the game. I struggled offensively throughout the game, but got it going in the last two and a half minutes. We ended up winning and that was my goal.”
Wendell Green Jr., on taking over late game scenarios
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“It comes from experience. Coach (Pearl) trusts me out there, because I was there last year. I have experience from last year, and this year, my guys expect me to take care of the ball at the end of the game and make my free throws. It is just what is expected.”
Jaylin Williams, on having the crowd behind the team
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“It was nice to have them there and to help us when we are turning over the ball and make noise and just be loud like the Jungle always is.”
Jaylin WIlliams, on the team's shooting performance
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“I don’t know. My teammates trusted me and told me to shoot the ball. Sometimes I take off on some shots and drive or pass it, but they kept trusting me and telling me to shoot the ball.”
