What Chaz Lanier said after scoring 25, hitting seven 3-pointers in Tennessee's win over Baylor

What senior transfer guard Chaz Lanier said after he erupted in No. 11 Tennessee’s 77-62 win over No. 13 Baylor in the Baha Mar Championship title game Friday night, when he scored 25 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the 3-point line:

Tennessee scoring early in the game and him seeing shots go down immediately 

“Yeah, when that first shot goes in, just all the jitters that you have leading up to the game, they just all go out of your body. So it was good seeing that first shot go in. But my teammates were just finding me all game, so I want to give all the credit to them.”

The rim getting bigger and bigger with each shot that goes down

“Yep. Every time. Once you see one or two go in, you got to know the next one’s going up for sure.”

Baylor not letting him get any open looks in the second half

“No. Definitely the second half, they were on me like white on rice. But that leads to my teammates getting open looks because they’re guarding me so hard.”

Him being named Tournament MVP, Jahmai Mashack being named to the All-Tournament team, the defense Mashack plays

“I mean, he’s just different. The toughness that he has is just crazy. Night in, night out, he knows what his job is, and he just fires everybody up.”

Playing against Jahmai Mashack all summer 

“Oh, definitely. He’s the hardest defender I’ve I’ve ever played against.”

His game improving across the board since arriving at Tennessee 

“I would just say it’s been challenging. Night in, night out in practice, Coach (Barnes) pushes me to be the best that I can be on defense. And and that’s one of the reasons why I chose to come to Tennessee was to work on my defense. So yeah, big shout out to Coach. I love him so much for pushing me and getting me out of my comfort zone.”

Baylor’s defense pushing him off the 3-point line, but continuing to make shots

“Yeah, like you said earlier, once once you see two or three go in, the next one is going up and that basket just gets bigger and bigger.”

Growing up in Nashville and spending his final college season at Tennessee 

“Yeah, it means a lot. Just being a Nashville kid and watching the Vols play growing up, it means a lot. And to have the state of Tennessee behind me, that that means the world. And to have my parents and family just a two and half hour drive away.”

If he had family that made it to the Bahamas

“Yep. Luckily, my mom was able to come out here and then a few cousins from Texas were (as well).”

The preparation for Tennessee’s two games, Baylor on a quick turnaround

“Yep. I’d just say the prep leading up to it is we scout on them a lot, but really the game plan is to come in and be us, and they’re gonna have to adjust to us. They’ve probably never seen the defense that we’ve played and the pressure they’ve never faced that yet all season. So just come in and be us and everything will fall into place.”

Darlinstone Dubar making an impact on the court in his first games

“I mean, he’s just a special player. He’s only had two days back in practice. But his effort is just unmatched. hHe’s kinda one of those guys like Jahmai. He’s just super tough, super tough. So y’all will be able to see that the rest of the season.”

Seeing opponents frustration of facing Tennessee’s defense

“I mean, I’d hate to be the other team, especially going up full 94 feet against Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler. You know you’re gonna be in for a long night.”

Getting into transition in the first half

“I mean, we’re just a tough team to play against. Very well rounded. But just like I said, Jahmai Mashack and Zakai, they just set the standard.”

His plans before the team leaves The Bahamas

“Oh, man. That’s a good question. Definitely get some rest tonight. Hopefully, maybe jet ski a little bit, but just rest and enjoy our day here.”