University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Quotes
December 30, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 30, 2002
Tennessee-Martin at Tennessee
Thompson-Boling Arena
December 30, 2002
TENNESSEE HEAD COACH BUZZ PETERSON
"I was pleased with our effort tonight. The last few practices have really benefited our team. The last five minutes of the first half gave us a big boost because that's when our defense really picked it up. We tried to take advantage of our size with Brandon Crump, Ron Slay, and Elgrace Wilborn.
"We were concerned about Earl Bullock, who is quick and has a quick release. Credit goes to Jon Higgins and Thaydeus Holden for holding Bullock to 1-13 shooting tonight. Tennessee-Martin worried me and had the coaching staff nervous because of their overall quickness.
"The run we had late in the first half was the key for us. It helped us that Jeremy Kelly was on the bench during that time in foul trouble. C.J. Watson made some good decisions in the face of a Tennessee-Martin defense that will really get into you."
TENNESSEE-MARTIN HEAD COACH BRET CAMPBELL
"It is tough to win when we shoot the ball the way we did. We should not have lost like we did. We did not shoot very well; it reminded me of the UNLV. game. We turned the ball over a lot tonight. I don't care if it's UNLV or Tennessee, you can't turn the ball over 20 times, and expect to win the game. I think you learn a lot in games like this, and in the UNLV game. It should be fun to play in a game like this, but it's not really fun when you lose. These tough games should help prepare us for the Ohio Valley Conference schedule.
"The reason Earl Bullock didn't play very well tonight was because he had the flu. We tried to get fluids in him before the game, but he just didn't feel very well."
