Everything Bruce Pearl, Allen Flanigan and Wendell Green Jr. said after beating Arkansas
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It was an SEC victory to get back on track for the Auburn Tigers on Saturday.
After a tough loss to Georgia, Auburn picked up a definitive win against No. 12 Arkansas at home by a score of 72-59, which should serve as a recovery game after the team lost to unranked Georgia a few days prior. Auburn moves to 2-1 in SEC play thus far on the year.
The game saw head coach Bruce Pearl use a different style of defense and players Allen Flanigan and Wendell Green Jr. have great games on the day, and all three talked about the victory and team contributions after the buzzer sounded.
Here is what the trio had to say:
Bruce Pearl, opening statement
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“We needed that. I think everyone in here would agree. Could you have expected it? I don’t know. They (our team) really showed me something tonight – from the bounce back and the quick turnaround. We played great from the start and got Wendell (Green Jr.) some great looks. He played great from the start. Maybe, one of the best games of his career and a really important game here at home. Beating No. 13-ranked Arkansas here at home is probably one of my Top 4-or-5 games at home. It was an important game and it was start-to-finish. I am really proud of the kids. It was a great team effort. (Johni) Broome gets another double-double, so we got to play through him. The key to the game was not turning it over. The key was to really understand getting shots, before we turnover.”
Bruce Pearl, on playing zone defense
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“Arkansas is better from 2 than 3. That little flat 2-3 zone really bothered them and they struggled with it. They are going to see it all year long and our guys did a great job with it. We have it in the package and I think it also helped our man defense, because in the zone, you have a gap and you have to build a wall. When guys are in zone, they get that feeling that when you play a team that is better from the 2 than the 3 and drive it like Arkansas does, you have to play your man like that also.”
Allen Flanigan, on the win
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“It definitely boosted (our) confidence. It shows what we’re capable of, night-in and night-out. Now, we just have to stick to putting games and days back-to-back.”
Allen Flanigan, on his impact on the court
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“It means a lot. My teammates needed me to step up, so being able to step up for them tonight was big.”
Allen Flanigan, on the team's freshmen
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“BP (Coach Pearl) preaches, ‘stay right and stay ready.’ There’s no let down when the freshmen and underclassmen come into the game.”
Allen Flanigan, on the team playing zone
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“This might be the first. There was a lot of zone that was played tonight and it was my first time here, I played zone the entire game.”
Wendell Green Jr., on his performance in SEC play so far
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“I just wanted to come back and show how I play. That’s how I play when I’m out there. I haven’t been like that since I hurt my foot (against Georgia State) and I wanted to come back. I’m healthy, I feel good, and it just felt good to see that first shot go in.”
Wendell Green Jr., on teams trying to drive inside Dylan Cardwell
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“They’re going to get fouled hard and get whipped up. You have to go in there safe. It’s like when we had Walker (Kessler) last year. There’s no let down. Walker was crazy down there, but we have Dylan (Cardwell) and Johni (Broome) down there. It’s the same thing. The guards will push them down there. They’re going to clean it up for us and all we have to do is get the loose ball.”
