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** UGA ranked high in a lot of offensive categories, especially free throws. They drive and initiate a lot of contact. We have to defend without fouling. UGA scored 49 in first half against Arkansas, a very good defensive team. Their leading scorer didn't play against us last time. Split with UGA last year. They play much better at home.
** How we play on the road matters to Bruce. We have a great homecourt advantage, one of best in country. We've also got a really good road record. Going to try to add to that in next two games.
** On the celebration against Alabama: 2nd best team that we've played. We celebrated because it's a big game and a rivalry. My celebrating adds to the rivalry. Want it to add to the passion and joy. If Alabama had upset us, I would have expected them to crane and have fun. Don't want to do anything unsportsmanlike.
** Allen Flanigan is making progress every game. Making a lot of progress defensively. Did well against some very good guard in last two games. That helps our team tremendously. He'll continue to to improve his quickness and getting his shot off quicker. That happened this week.
** Walker Kessler put a lot of pressure on rim, does great job with ball screens and he's a threat to shoot 3-ball. That's coming. He's the best player I've ever had in the air. He protest the rim on defense and makes plays on offense. He's not afraid to jump and land in tough situations. That's a rare ability. He's improved his free throws. He puts a lot of pressure on any defensive scheme. He's a good passer too and can put the ball on the floor.
** Got five road games in 2nd half of schedule. The home record in the SEC is stronger than Bruce has seen it in years. Hard to win on road. Focus is not much different in 2nd half of SEC. We've got to keep getting better. The last two times we've been on the road, we've been down double digits. The players are going to hear that message loud and clear.
** Flanigan made a lot of progress this weekend. If he puts too much focus on offense, it detracts on what he really needs to do -- defend and rebound at a high level. The offense will come. We're going up against great guards. We're trying to win a championship. Another plus with Flanigan he's a big guard we can put in ball screens and he can be a playmaker. Tougher to do that with smaller guards.
** Walker Kessler has family that's been going to Stegeman Coliseum for years and years. For a lot of our Atlanta kids, the drive to Auburn is not much more than to UGA. Our kids appreciate the Auburn turnout on the road. Jabari stands next to Pearl and almost always comments on the support right after the national anthem. Have a lot of alumni in Georgia but that's not going to help us guard UGA.
** Pearl was asked if he has a good deer hunting story: It was always deer hunting and skiing season when he coached. Only deer hunted between jobs. Enjoyed it a lot, love the camaraderie, the lodge, the food, being outside. Took two boys hunting between AU and UT jobs. Conditions were perfect, very cold. All of a sudden within 10 minutes, Michael and Steven got 10-pointers on different parts of the property. We mounted them. Was driving a Toyota Avalon at time. We put the heads in trunk and tied it down and the heads were hanging out.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
** UGA ranked high in a lot of offensive categories, especially free throws. They drive and initiate a lot of contact. We have to defend without fouling. UGA scored 49 in first half against Arkansas, a very good defensive team. Their leading scorer didn't play against us last time. Split with UGA last year. They play much better at home.
** How we play on the road matters to Bruce. We have a great homecourt advantage, one of best in country. We've also got a really good road record. Going to try to add to that in next two games.
** On the celebration against Alabama: 2nd best team that we've played. We celebrated because it's a big game and a rivalry. My celebrating adds to the rivalry. Want it to add to the passion and joy. If Alabama had upset us, I would have expected them to crane and have fun. Don't want to do anything unsportsmanlike.
** Allen Flanigan is making progress every game. Making a lot of progress defensively. Did well against some very good guard in last two games. That helps our team tremendously. He'll continue to to improve his quickness and getting his shot off quicker. That happened this week.
** Walker Kessler put a lot of pressure on rim, does great job with ball screens and he's a threat to shoot 3-ball. That's coming. He's the best player I've ever had in the air. He protest the rim on defense and makes plays on offense. He's not afraid to jump and land in tough situations. That's a rare ability. He's improved his free throws. He puts a lot of pressure on any defensive scheme. He's a good passer too and can put the ball on the floor.
** Got five road games in 2nd half of schedule. The home record in the SEC is stronger than Bruce has seen it in years. Hard to win on road. Focus is not much different in 2nd half of SEC. We've got to keep getting better. The last two times we've been on the road, we've been down double digits. The players are going to hear that message loud and clear.
** Flanigan made a lot of progress this weekend. If he puts too much focus on offense, it detracts on what he really needs to do -- defend and rebound at a high level. The offense will come. We're going up against great guards. We're trying to win a championship. Another plus with Flanigan he's a big guard we can put in ball screens and he can be a playmaker. Tougher to do that with smaller guards.
** Walker Kessler has family that's been going to Stegeman Coliseum for years and years. For a lot of our Atlanta kids, the drive to Auburn is not much more than to UGA. Our kids appreciate the Auburn turnout on the road. Jabari stands next to Pearl and almost always comments on the support right after the national anthem. Have a lot of alumni in Georgia but that's not going to help us guard UGA.
** Pearl was asked if he has a good deer hunting story: It was always deer hunting and skiing season when he coached. Only deer hunted between jobs. Enjoyed it a lot, love the camaraderie, the lodge, the food, being outside. Took two boys hunting between AU and UT jobs. Conditions were perfect, very cold. All of a sudden within 10 minutes, Michael and Steven got 10-pointers on different parts of the property. We mounted them. Was driving a Toyota Avalon at time. We put the heads in trunk and tied it down and the heads were hanging out.
*****THAT'S ALL*****
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