Post-Game Quotes
ARKANSAS vs. Auburn
March 8, 2008
POST-GAME QUOTES
Arkansas Head Coach John Pelphrey:
“Coming out here on Senior Night, there was a lot of emotion coming from these seniors knowing they won’t be able to lace it up here at Bud Walton again. Sometimes that’s hard to handle.”
“Everyone contributed tonight. Charles [Thomas] had a huge three-point play at the end of the game. Vincent [Hunter] made huge three-pointers throughout the game. Darian [Townes] was making baskets, and Patrick [Beverley] has been unbelievable this year as an underclassman.”
“[Patrick] Beverley was spectacular tonight. Every time he got open, he knocked down huge three-pointers.”
“Auburn does a good job at changing defenses. There’s never any quitting in them. They’ve been playing tough all year, especially with the tough schedule they’ve had this year. (Auburn head coach) Jeff Lebo will really have this team playing well next year.”
[On having a 15-1 home record]
“It starts first and foremost with these fans. Next comes these players. They play special basketball here at Bud Walton Arena.”
Arkansas Players
C, Darian Townes:
“This was a big win for us. We knew Auburn would bring multiple defenses, and we were strong in the frontcourt. (The seniors) wanted to finish our career in this building with a win. Getting 20 wins is great, but it’s a new season starting next weekend (at the SEC Tournament). The (first-round) bye helps us get our legs ready.”
F, Charles Thomas:
“Coach (Pelphrey) is a high intensity guy, and we kind of feed off his energy and intensity.”
(On Scoring double figures on senior day)
“It’s not about the individual, it’s about this program. Today was very emotional. Nobody wants to be remembered for losing on Senior Day.”
G, Patrick Beverley:
“I’ve just re-dedicated myself to the gym, and it’s been paying off for me. Coach Pelphrey and the rest of the staff prepared us very well. We wanted to come out and get this victory for our seniors. Our point guards are making everyone better, and we did our jobs hitting open shots.”
G, Gary Ervin:
“Patrick (Beverley) gives you 12 points and seven rebounds (a game), so we haven’t missed his scoring as much. But, we can definitely use those 20 points a game. It was touching to have my family there and to get a standing ovation.”
(On getting in the NCAA Tournament)
“It’s not on us, it’s on the committee. I feel we have a good resume and I think we would play well if we get there.”
Auburn Head Coach Jeff Lebo:
“Arkansas played very well today. (Patrick) Beverley shot well from three. We had some foul problems early, and we didn’t shoot particularly well.”
“We just couldn’t seem to get Arkansas’ lead under 10 points in the second half. We changed up our defense and I think they responded very well.”
“We know that when Arkansas plays in Bud Walton Arena, they are going to go on runs. We just wanted to try and limit the runs and try to stop the bleeding.”
“(Patrick) Beverley’s three-point game was extremely good today. He is playing a lot better down the stretch and if you get (Sonny) Weems in there, too, as a second shooter on the perimeter that makes Arkansas a very hard team to beat.”
Auburn Players
G, Frank Tolbert
“We battled hard today and just came up short. We had a chance to win the game, but we just missed a couple of big opportunities.”
“When we were in the zone, they weren’t able to pound us inside and had to stick to the three-point ball. We just wanted to force them to shoot from outside and try to get back in the game.”
