Virginia-Vanderbilt Postgame Quotes
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Nov. 23, 2017
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NIT Season Tip-Off
Virginia 68, Vanderbilt 42
Postgame Quotes
Virginia Head Coach Tony Bennett
On the team’s defensive effort:
“I think there was a great stretch where Isaiah Wilkins took a charge and had some blocks. We were in a really good position. I think it was one of those cases where our guys were ready offensively. We played well and Vanderbilt didn’t play as well. I think our defense had something to do with it. But [Vanderbilt] was a little off, and that happens, but I thought it was very, very good team effort defensively; we fought to be in position. For the most part, we kept the ball out of the lane and when we did have a breakdown, we blocked some shots, so I think it was just one of those things where everything was clicking. As you can see, Isaiah is one of our team leaders defensively; such a good help defender and keeps guys going and we guarded the ball well, so it led to that.”
On Vanderbilt’s defense and how UVA reacted:
“Offensively we did some good things. We were moving the ball, getting good looks, getting some threes and some easy baskets. They had to chase us around some screens so it goes hand-in-hand. It’s always a battle, every possession — who can impose their will and who can get their game going, and I thought our guys established that. We got off to a big lead, and it’s tough to be in that spot for Vanderbilt but we just kept playing and we didn’t let up. We tried to play so hard every position out of the half as well. We slipped a little bit when our second unit came in — they had a 13-2 run, but otherwise it was well played for us.”
Vanderbilt Head Coach Bryce Drew
On getting behind early:
“We were missing shots early, and they made some shots. Virginia is not a team you want to get behind on, especially early, because they are hard to come back on. We had some looks, but then they did a great job contesting.”
On Ejike Obinna:
“He’s a 17-year-old freshman, so everything is new to him that’s happening. We’re hoping all these minutes are going to help him for the rest of this year, and in the future too. We’re a young team, we’re building, so there are a lot of good teaching moments from this game.”
On tomorrow’s game:
“Both teams are really good, really tough, and play really good defense. Either one will be a really good challenge.”