Bruce Pearl spoke to the media Tuesday afternoon to preview Wednesday night's game against No. 11 South Carolina. Here's a summary...
** First time both teams have been ranked in an AU-USC game in 50 meetings. This is what we work for as coaches in this league. Lamont Paris should be Coach of the Year. He and his staff have done a great job of rebuilding.
** USC is physical, experienced and plays the right way. USC leads the SEC in scoring defense.
** This game will be won with defense and rebounding. USC has lost just three games. This will be a challenge.
** Beating Ole Miss twice, an NCAA team, and Alabama at home, tells Pearl they have a chance to be better than where they were picked to finish. We're in position to win the title but we have to beat USC to have a chance.
** USC has great inside-out play. The four guards they have is probably as good as any in our league. Pretty good backcourt and they have a future Pro in the frontcourt.
** USC hasn't doubled in the post a lot. They've got some size inside. We had a significant size advantage over Alabama. We did not against Florida and won't against USC but will continue to play through our best player -- Johni Broome.
** We play hard every night but we don't guard the same every night. We go by our scouting report. USC is very physical like UF. We were more physical than UA. The most physical teams won last week.
** We were tired Saturday and didn't have the pop that we needed to have. But I think everybody is in the grind. USC played two last week. Our situation was probably playing Wednesday and having to travel Friday.
** Our strength is when everybody contributes. It was great to see Chaney Johnson play with confidence against UF. He's one of our hardest workers and is always in the gym. He does a great job in the classroom and with his game prep. Glad to see him get rewarded for his hard work.
** We have worked all summer and fall to get right here, where we are right now.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** First time both teams have been ranked in an AU-USC game in 50 meetings. This is what we work for as coaches in this league. Lamont Paris should be Coach of the Year. He and his staff have done a great job of rebuilding.
** USC is physical, experienced and plays the right way. USC leads the SEC in scoring defense.
** This game will be won with defense and rebounding. USC has lost just three games. This will be a challenge.
** Beating Ole Miss twice, an NCAA team, and Alabama at home, tells Pearl they have a chance to be better than where they were picked to finish. We're in position to win the title but we have to beat USC to have a chance.
** USC has great inside-out play. The four guards they have is probably as good as any in our league. Pretty good backcourt and they have a future Pro in the frontcourt.
** USC hasn't doubled in the post a lot. They've got some size inside. We had a significant size advantage over Alabama. We did not against Florida and won't against USC but will continue to play through our best player -- Johni Broome.
** We play hard every night but we don't guard the same every night. We go by our scouting report. USC is very physical like UF. We were more physical than UA. The most physical teams won last week.
** We were tired Saturday and didn't have the pop that we needed to have. But I think everybody is in the grind. USC played two last week. Our situation was probably playing Wednesday and having to travel Friday.
** Our strength is when everybody contributes. It was great to see Chaney Johnson play with confidence against UF. He's one of our hardest workers and is always in the gym. He does a great job in the classroom and with his game prep. Glad to see him get rewarded for his hard work.
** We have worked all summer and fall to get right here, where we are right now.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
