Anthony Grant Press Conference Transcript - January 25
1/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2010
Opening statement on this week's games against LSU and Auburn:
"It's obviously a big week with two opponents in the (SEC) West. It's a chance to try to get two wins here over LSU. We just played them (LSU) a couple of weeks ago. Obviously they'll be very familiar with us, as we will with them. Both teams I'm sure will make adjustments based on what happened in the last game so we're in the process of getting prepared for that and it should be an exciting game.
"Then on Saturday we're going down the road to play Auburn, another opponent in the West and obviously a huge game in terms of the intra-state rivalry. I'm looking forward to experiencing what I've heard about for several months. We'll be in a great atmosphere in their building in obviously a very highly contested game. Our team is just looking forward to getting back on the court and preparing for another opportunity to play."
On being pleased with the defensive performances during SEC play:
"I think our defense has given us chances in every game that we've played and I think that's one thing that's been consistent throughout SEC play. I think every game brings different challenges and our guys have met the challenge up to this point. We have to understand again who we are and if we continue to do that, if we can defend and we can get consistent in terms of rebounding then that gives us a chance at least every night."
On the key to the defensive success the Tide has experienced:
"I think it's a combination of things. Sometimes other teams are missing, but I do think our guys are giving good effort. I think we understand the intensity that we have to play with against the competition that we're playing against every night. It's a process where hopefully we understand that we've got to bring that energy and effort every night and if you do that, at least you're going to have an opportunity and that's all we can look for. I couldn't sit here and tell you we've got anything figured out because we don't. Every game brings different challenges and we've got to be prepared for that challenge on a given day."
On what aspects of Wednesday's game plan will mirror what Alabama did in its previous meeting with LSU:
"Well I'm sure there will be a lot of adjustments they'll make based on how we guarded them there (in Baton Rouge) and things that we'll do differently based on having a chance to be familiar with what they want to do against us. Do I think there will be some bearing? Yes, but I think this game will have a completely different feel than what we saw two weeks ago, so we've got to be prepared for that."
On Chris Hines earning more playing time recently:
"I think Chris Hines is beginning to figure out what his role is on our team and what we need from him. I thought this past week against Tennessee and this weekend against Mississippi State that he brought great energy to our team and a lot of the things that he does aren't necessarily things that show up on the stat sheet. When you look at his energy, his physicality and the ability to guard several different positions, I think he's done a very good job. He's finding his niche in terms of where he can be effective on the other end of the floor for us. I think it's been a great boost to our team and very much needed in terms of our limitations in the front court. When you look at it, he's almost like a freshman because it's his first year of playing major college basketball even though he's an older guy. Hopefully he's figured some things out and will continue to bring the energy he's brought."
On the progress of freshman Tony Mitchell:
"I think Tony has had a great freshman year. Obviously there are a lot of very good freshman in this league and he may be overshadowed somewhat because of what some of the other freshmen are doing. Prior to missing a couple of games with mono, I thought he was really establishing himself and playing well. I think since he's been back he's picked up where he left off, and I think with every game he gets a better feel in terms what he can and can't do and what's needed. I think Tony has a bright future. He's a guy, with his size and athleticism and what he can bring you, whether it be offensively with his slashing ability or on the defensive end with his ability to make hustle plays, rebound and guard a couple of different positions; I think he's got a very, very bright future ahead of him."
On how Alabama can improve defensively:
"We've got to consistently defend the three-point line. I thought we did a very good job this weekend against Mississippi State of trying to limit their opportunities. If you look at the Mississippi State game, we were able to get a lead because we had some success offensively. They went on a run there and cut that lead early in the game, then we went into an offensive lull to close the half out and they got some transition baskets on us. We got up 12 in the second half then they went on a run, a 14-0 run, against us because of some things that we didn't do on the defensive end. I think overall we just have to get more consistent in terms of understanding that we can't allow what happens on the offensive end to affect our effort and focus on the defensive end. We've got to continue to focus on rebounding the basketball and not giving up second shots and second-chance opportunities."
On speeding the Mississippi State offense up being a result of full-court or half-court pressure:
"I think it was both. I thought our guys did a good job of understanding what we had to do, what we had to try to take away from them in terms of their ability to shoot the three. I thought our guys did a good job of that."
On whether or not LSU has made substantial changes since Alabama faced them last:
"Not that I've seen up to this point. I just started watching them again this morning. I think maybe a little different lineup, maybe one or two lineup changes that they've made, but outside of that I really haven't seen enough of their more recent games to really tell you that there's a lot of changes. Obviously we've got a couple of days here to try to figure out some things that maybe they do differently and some things that we can try to change based on the last time we played them."
On the play of LSU forward Tasmin Mitchell:
"I think he's one of the better competitors in college basketball. I've really been a fan of his since his freshman year, my last year at Florida. I think he's a guy that brings great energy and a great competitive spirit to the game. I think that's what you've seen out of him over the last couple of weeks. He's really upped his productivity to give his team a chance to win. I think he had a 38-point game somewhere in between the last time we played them. I think he's top three or four in the league in scoring and top two or three in the league in rebounding right now. He's a great player, can hurt you in a lot of different ways, has really expanded his game to where he's shooting threes and he's obviously strong and physical on the inside, so he's poses a problem in a lot of different areas on the offensive end and defensively. He's a veteran. He's been around the game for five years and he makes plays just from anticipation that can be very disruptive. I think he's obviously the leader of their team and I'm sure he'll be ready to go. He's a great competitor."
On if the team has fully adjusted to his defensive mentality:
"I think just like I said when we started, and I'll continue to say every week, we're just trying to get better with every game. I think with every practice and every game the guys are understanding what the demands are and what's required. I think with every success we have that it solidifies in their minds why we do what we do and we're learning. I think the thing I've been impressed with our guys, either through wins or through losses, is that they maintain that willingness to get better, to want to learn and to want to grow. Sometimes it's been through pushing and prodding to force it, but other times it's been where they understand that we've got to change the mindset and mentality in terms of how we approach what we do. So, it's a work in progress. The truth of the matter is that we could come out this week and not play well defensively. We have nothing figured out. I think the thing we've got to do is try to give ourselves a chance every night to win and that starts on the defensive end."
