University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt Postgame Quotes
February 23, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 23, 2002
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Tennessee Head Coach Buzz Peterson
"It was a disappointing loss, but give Vanderbilt credit. We were a little flat on both ends. Defensively, we couldn't get the stops, and we couldn't get the loose balls. Vanderbilt did a good job of doubling (Marcus) Haislip, and chasing (Vincent) Yarbrough.
"Vanderbilt played very hard, and really got after it. They caught us a little off guard. I told our guys that Vanderbilt would come in here fired up.
"We played in spurts. At the half, I told (Jenis) Grindstaff that he could play better. He did play better in the second half. I told him we needed to be more consistent.
"We had 18 turnovers, way too many, and some by our post men.
"I told the team that we could improve, and do some things in the tournament. I also told them we need to be good citizens. I told them not get down, but to remember they are still responsible to their families, and to the University."
Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings
"It was the same coaching that I've done in all the games before. We knew it wouldn't be like that forever. There were times in the past games that we couldn't throw it in the ocean. We were low, and down, but we were not out. This will be a good life lesson for these guys. I'm proud of them, they played a very good game.
"When you're used to getting 43 points in a game, and you look up, and see you have 37 at the half, you know at least the lid came off of the basket. I thought we executed well, particularly on defense. You can't let Tennessee get in a rhythm. They have two guys (Haislip and Yarbrough) who can beat you by themselves. You have to prevent that.
"We moved Matt (Freije) around, so we could free him up. He didn't shoot well, but he was a force. I thought (Brian) Thornton was a force, and (Darius) Coulibaly gave us a good start on defense. The big guys really played well, which made it easier for the guys on the perimeter.
I thought Matt took good shots, and made a big shot on the right side there at the end."
