Bruce Pearl and players speak to the media after Auburn's 80-61 win over Jacksonville State...
** Pearl congratulates JSU for outstanding season, very well coached, prepared.
** Our defense was outstanding. It's carried us all season, our best chance to advance. We made extra pass on offense, stepped up.
** KD on early basket: It was really big. That just turned us up.
** Jabari on UK loss: Didn't give us extra focus. We knew how good every team is in NCAAT. We were already focused.
** Walker on end of 1H: I think we understood we needed to play together and stay aggressive.
** KD says he doesn't like it when his jersey is tucked in. Refs get on him a lot to tuck it back in.
** Walker is feeling better, no brace today.
** Jabari felt good to get first NCAA game out of the way. Been ready to play since Tampa.
** Walker didn't know he was one block away from triple-double. Glad that we got the win.
** Walker on colliding with Jaylin: tried to block shot, got pushed, made contact. Not sure what happened.
** KD on Jabari dunk: That was crazy. Don't think he's ever done that in practice. Walker: Pretty nasty dunk. Don't think he could do that on me (laughs). Jabari: I didn't think I could make it, it felt good to finish the game like that.
** KD on JSU's early 3's: We never lost confidence. That happens in basketball. Walker on same Q: They hit some really tough shots, we knew if we weather the storm they'd stop falling.
** KD knows he can be crazy and be himself.
** Pearl on Jabari to get any shot: It comes in rhythm for him, he doesn't force anything. He got really clean transition looks. That was really key. They pressed us and that opened up floor for our offense.
** On end of 1H and start of 2H: Defense and the way we guarded takes its toll. Offense had to work hard. When they were fresh, they made shots. We gobbled them up in ball screens. Prewett and Wes Flanigan had the scout, great job.
** Have not played that well on offense for a while. KD was outstanding on both ends. Was patient on offense. It's one game, we'll see if we can build on it.
** On Todd Golden getting UF job: Can't answer yet until it's announced. Love Todd like a son.
** On fast break points: Rebounded well, got transition.
** Jaylin will get some work done today. Will be evaluated, concussion protocol, don't know about Sunday for him.
** Jabari's dunk is going to be on Sports Center tonight. He poster'd him, he really did.
** On being loose as a team: Addressed before the game that everybody thinks all the pressure is on us, but you're already champions. Now relax, go play basketball, have some fun. Wanted to take the pressure off of them.
** Pearl: We were ready to play Jax State. Felt bad for UK and Cal. He really loves that team. It was a really good UK team. It's tough for them, congrats to St. Peter's.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** Pearl congratulates JSU for outstanding season, very well coached, prepared.
** Our defense was outstanding. It's carried us all season, our best chance to advance. We made extra pass on offense, stepped up.
** KD on early basket: It was really big. That just turned us up.
** Jabari on UK loss: Didn't give us extra focus. We knew how good every team is in NCAAT. We were already focused.
** Walker on end of 1H: I think we understood we needed to play together and stay aggressive.
** KD says he doesn't like it when his jersey is tucked in. Refs get on him a lot to tuck it back in.
** Walker is feeling better, no brace today.
** Jabari felt good to get first NCAA game out of the way. Been ready to play since Tampa.
** Walker didn't know he was one block away from triple-double. Glad that we got the win.
** Walker on colliding with Jaylin: tried to block shot, got pushed, made contact. Not sure what happened.
** KD on Jabari dunk: That was crazy. Don't think he's ever done that in practice. Walker: Pretty nasty dunk. Don't think he could do that on me (laughs). Jabari: I didn't think I could make it, it felt good to finish the game like that.
** KD on JSU's early 3's: We never lost confidence. That happens in basketball. Walker on same Q: They hit some really tough shots, we knew if we weather the storm they'd stop falling.
** KD knows he can be crazy and be himself.
** Pearl on Jabari to get any shot: It comes in rhythm for him, he doesn't force anything. He got really clean transition looks. That was really key. They pressed us and that opened up floor for our offense.
** On end of 1H and start of 2H: Defense and the way we guarded takes its toll. Offense had to work hard. When they were fresh, they made shots. We gobbled them up in ball screens. Prewett and Wes Flanigan had the scout, great job.
** Have not played that well on offense for a while. KD was outstanding on both ends. Was patient on offense. It's one game, we'll see if we can build on it.
** On Todd Golden getting UF job: Can't answer yet until it's announced. Love Todd like a son.
** On fast break points: Rebounded well, got transition.
** Jaylin will get some work done today. Will be evaluated, concussion protocol, don't know about Sunday for him.
** Jabari's dunk is going to be on Sports Center tonight. He poster'd him, he really did.
** On being loose as a team: Addressed before the game that everybody thinks all the pressure is on us, but you're already champions. Now relax, go play basketball, have some fun. Wanted to take the pressure off of them.
** Pearl: We were ready to play Jax State. Felt bad for UK and Cal. He really loves that team. It was a really good UK team. It's tough for them, congrats to St. Peter's.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
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