After the UGA men’s basketball team defeated The Citadel 95-86 on Tuesday night at the Stegeman Coliseum, Bulldogs’ head coach Tom Crean talks about the win and gives an update on the team.

Opening statement…

“For it to be the second game of the season, to get a lesson like that, and the urgency we have to have defensively, is great for us. Fortunately, we got the win. They were the second-highest in the country last year taking threes, and the third in most made. Half their shots were threes, and it was that way again tonight. We played fast; we did different transition drills to get ready for this type of game. But we’ve got to develop an urgency we have to have when it comes to getting back defensively.”

On the game…

“We found a way to get into the bonus early in both halves. It was the 11-minute mark in the second half and 12:37 in the first half. The 10 extra free throw makes and the 13 extra free throw attempts were a huge part of the game. There was a lot of youth that came out tonight. We are working constantly to not over help on their dribble, and do a much better job of staying with our man. We have to become a more physical team and figure out ways to help us become that.”

On the difference…

“I thought the lineup of (Sahvir) Wheeler, (Anthony) Edwards, (Christian) Brown, (Donnell) Gresham, and (Tyree) Crump was a huge component in this game. This isn’t a lineup that we play in practice much. We wanted to switch because they were putting a decision-maker or a shooter in every time, and that’s just great offense.”

On the team…

“We have so much to learn and we have so many young guys. That urgency that we have to have on both ends, and we found it towards the end. We just have to become a more physical team. We have to have a more physical mindset and demeanor. I’m glad we have numerous guys and there’s going to be lots of ways to win this year, and fortunately we found a way to win this one.”