• Auburn will be leaving for South Carolina tonight instead of tomorrow due to the threat of nasty weather out that way. "I'm not taking chance on that frozen rain tomorrow."
• He notes that by the transitive properties, South Carolina already has defeated Auburn. USC beat Clemson who beat UK who beat Duke who beat Auburn. "You know I live by that Slippery Rock method." GUFFAWS ALL AROUND
• Notes that South Carolina goes to the line a lot, drives to the bucket a lot. Gonna have to defend without fouling ... again.
• On losing ground at Texas the other night late. "We only turned the ball over once due to pressure. We made out free throws. Obviousl Kalouma got hot, hit shots, hit tough shots."
• South Carolina's slow start in the league doesn't mean anything to him. He still thinks they're good.
• Asked about becoming the winningest coach in Auburn history, he immediately defers to his assistants. "Most of them have been here a long time. It's the sum of our parts. Second would be the players over the years, committing to the front of the jersey. Graduating 43 guys in going on 11 years. That's probably more important than the wins. The wins help me keep my job, though."
• He notes that his bigs have really paid attention to, and worked on, improving the free-throw shooting. "They can't hack-a-Shaq us." He seems impressed with the improvements made there and how they affect the game positively for the Tigers late in games. "You drive for show, you putt for dough."
• More on the finish at Texas. "Our drop-back defense in the last four minutes left a lot to be desired."
• He notes that South Carolina attacks like Mizzou does ... but with MIzzou it's mostly just their guards. With South Carolina, it's all five positions. They look for contact. They initiate contact.
• On South Carolina again: "They've got a good front line. And they've got some very talented young kids coming off the bench. This is a game they feel like they've got to get — and they'll play accordingly."
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