What Lamont Paris said after South Carolina's home win against USC Upstate
Following a 73-53 win against USC Upstate in a Saturday afternoon game, South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris spoke to the media about his team’s performance and how the team performed. Here’s what he had to say.
Opening Statement
– Thought the second half resembled more the team they wanted to look like.
– Did a lot of things defensively with success in the second half.
– Some frustration with the team in the half-time speech.
– Good job by the players during exams week and having a week with no game.
After injury, how do you get players to compartmentalize?
– It’s difficult, it’s helpful that the players could see that Harris was moving. Seeing that, it allowed the players to feel better about the situation at hand. “Hopefully just a scare.”
More quotes–
“Certainly, for guys of this age, the opponent matters.” Used poker metaphors to show any opponent always has a chance, have to play your game.
On the group’s competitive edge-
“I think it comes naturally when it comes to the game.” Says the last game prior to going home from winter break and the first game coming back always will have an asterisk by it in terms of readiness.
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“If they have a problem with a competitive edge on gameday, they’re in the wrong business.”
On defensive growth-
Stretch of Boston College and Virginia Tech, parts of ECU games, there’s been “real growth.” It’s been consistent growth and one that you can reproduce over time. At a certain point, there’s no time for growth and you “have to play how you are.” As individuals get better, the team will continue to improve.
“Excited about… what the real peak of this team will be.” “Without a doubt, we’re easily a month away…but excited to see what it looks like.”
On scoring inside-
“Most times, that’ll be a point of emphasis with us.”
“The quality of threes increase when we’re able to get the ball inside.”
“Once the ball goes anywhere near the paint…our quality of shot from the perimeter increases dramatically.”
On forcing turnovers-
“We don’t gamble a lot…I like organized pressure.”
Not yet where he’d like it to be, but likes what he sees with defensive energy and activity.
Defense can be more active, forcing turnovers will be a byproduct of that.
