University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Postgame Quotes - UCLA 102, USC 70
POSTGAME QUOTES
UCLA 102, USC 70
Los Angeles, Calif. (Pauley Pavilion)
February 18, 2017
UCLA head coach Steve Alford
opening statement
โIโm extremely proud of the guys. I thought they played really well tonight. Really good job on the backboard. I thought what we did on the backboard was special and then we cut down on turnovers. When our turnovers are 12 or fewer, we play at a whole different level because it keeps us out of transition defenseโitโs where weโve given up easy thingsโand it gives us some more shots on goal. Getting 78 shots up, weโve going to make more than weโre going to miss with this team. Thought we did a really good job. To get beat 19-to-8 on the free throw line in makes, 27-to-8 on attempts, and still win the way we won, Iโm just awfully proud of the guys.โ
on how much ground defense has made up since first meeting with USC
โWeโve just talked about, really since the SC game, I just thought the time we got to the Arizona game at home and the SC game on the road, our guys were, more than anything, a little mentally tired. We went into a bye week after that, and weโve since had another bye week going into this week. So weโve had two bye weeks where weโve been able to get a little rest and then really work on some things that we needed to work onโwhether that be offensive execution or at the defensive end. In these five games, weโre 5-0 in February since that break, our defense has made great strides. Our efficiency is much, much better. Theyโre just very focused. We won a lot of games early by running away and scoring 100 points, and then when you lose a couple, it gets guysโ attention of if weโre going to play and try to win at the highest level, we donโt have to be a perfect defense, but we do have to be better. And I think over the last two-and-a-half to three weeks weโve really improved.โ
on what allowed UCLA to handle zone defense better
โWell, one, we didnโt turn the ball over. At SC, we turned the ball over, I think, 17 times. If our notes were right, 14 of the 17 turnovers were live ball turnovers. If youโre going to turn the ball over, throw it in the stands, travel, offensive foul, try to make a post feed that goes out of boundsโthose are good dead-ball turnovers. When all of a sudden youโre just giving it to them like we did three weeks ago, then they get out and run. And transition points were a lot different tonight. I think a lot of that had to do with we took care of the basketball and we were dominant on the backboard. Those were two areas that I didnโt think we were very good in game one.โ
on teamโs energy at close of first half
โItโs just fun. Iโm having fun. Iโve had fun all year with this team. Theyโre a joy to coach in practice. And I want them having fun. At times, theyโre a quiet group. We talked about that at halftime. Weโve been talking to you about stance and talking on defense since Australia. That was stuff weโve been talking about for a long time. The stance is making progress, the talking still has a lot of growth yet, because weโve got some guys that just have a quiet demeanor. The more we can talk and communicate, the better we are. Weโre so good in transition. Iโve been doing this 26 years and Iโve never had a team that is so fast and so efficient in transition. When weโre allowed to get stops, weโre allowed to get turnoversโSC didnโt turn the ball over a lot tonightโI just thought we got key stops. We run so well. Our bigs run, our guards run, they can all shoot it, dribble it, they all pass it well. We get in the open floor pretty good. If we can continue to work at that defensive end and get stops, that helps our offense get even more efficient.โ
on how team is setting up for March
โWell, weโre healthy. Weโre very healthy right now and weโve got a day off tomorrow. I like what weโre doing in practices. Our practices have been much shorter. We literally went for 50 minutes yesterday. Our shootaround this morning was 20 minutes. We just want to keep them fresh and trying to really be focused on what we want to do with our emphasis, both defensively and offensively, and get them out. Spending a little bit more time in the film room. It was good having this bye week. Our guys have knownโthatโs a credit to them, because a lot of players donโt take advantage of bye weeks. This team has done that. Theyโve gotten rest, they stay off their feet, they donโt mess around, they do what theyโre supposed to do and they do the right thingsโand because of that, I think weโre pretty fresh right now. Now weโve got two weeks left in the regular season and then weโve got a conference tournament and then postseason starts. There are no more breaks. I like going into the last two weeks of the regular season where weโre at right now because weโre playing much better now than what we were playing even a month ago. Weโve got very few lapses, even as this season has unfolded, but I like how our guys are gaining some momentum.โ
UCLA guard Bryce Alford
on defense
โThatโs been our focus all year.ย Sometimes things just start to click.ย Really after our last SC game, we kind of talked about it as a team and really just buckled down.ย If we want to make a run in the tournament, we have to get better on defense.ย If you look at every game after that first SC game, weโve gotten better on defense.ย The stats wonโt lie to you.ย Outside about 20 minutes against Oregon, weโve been playing really good defense.โ
on intensity
โItโs just one of those things, you get on a roll.ย I just love this game so much.ย Iโm so passionate about the game of basketball, UCLA, and everything thatโs happened to me in my four years here.ย When I get it going for my team and I know Iโm helping my team win, itโs just what happens to my face [snarling].โ
on winning in a blowout
โWhen youโre up 20 with a couple minutes left, sometimes you kind of take your foot off the pedal but thatโs what we learned not to do.ย Weโve had games where we were up 20 in the second half before where games have been cut closer.ย We were just trying to put together a full forty minutes.ย That was our goal and itโs our goal every game.ย Tonight, we finally did that really well.โ
on Lonzo Ball
โEveryone knows how talented he is.ย People donโt realize how much he does for the team off the court.ย From being the life of the party, a goofy kid and a normal guy.ย A guy that has 500-600 Instagram followers and all the fans and hype behind him, he can easily be a cocky dude, a bad dude.ย For him to be the person he is and be the talent he is, thatโs what has really been special.โ
on snapping losing streak to USC
โIt wasnโt fun losing 4 times in a row.ย Each time they came around we just tried to execute our game plan and fix what we didnโt do the past game.ย But sometimes that happens in college basketball.ย A team gets your number and match ups are hard to do, sometimes they get the better of you a couple of times.ย Credit to them, theyโve been a really good basketball team over the last couple years so this was a good win for us tonight.โ
UCLA guard Lonzo Ball
on momentum going into halftime
โIt helped a lot.ย Playing a rival, we knew they would come out hard.ย The focus was to get a double-digit lead before halftime.ย Thatโs what we did and it carried over into the second half.ย
on improvement against zone defense
โItโs just practice.ย Weโve been playing against zone for the last couple of weeks.ย Weโve just been working on it in practice.ย Credit to Coach Alford and his staff.โ
on being undefeated in February
โGoing into March, we have to hit out stride now.ย Coach always says February sets up March so thatโs what we are trying to do.
on defense
โGuysโ attitudes, it starts with that.ย Guys want to get down and guard now.ย We know we can score against anyone in the country. Once we guard we are hard to beat.โ
on his dadโs personality
โIโve been living with him since Iโve been born and heโs always been like that.ย He talks whatโs on his mind.ย I just have to go out there and play my game.ย I let him do the talking and I just go out and play.ย Thatโs my dad, man.ย Who wouldnโt want their son to be the best?ย I love him and whatever he says Iโm going to roll with it.โ
UCLA center Thomas Welsh
on beating their rival
โThatโs special.ย Especially for me being from LA, itโs always been a rivalry thatโs been part of my life and growing up in it. Being part of it now, being able to play in this game especially with how the last few games [against them] have been going for us.ย Weโre pretty happy about that.โ
on defense
โAfter that last SC game where we played them at their place, we had a team meeting in the locker room after just talking about what itโs going to take for us to make strides and put a run together.ย It came down to defensive intensity and being aggressive on the defense end.ย Just knowing what we had to do, that was huge for us going forward defensively.โ
on pulling away late
โIt was special.ย Against a team like that that is our rival, it was so much fun to get a win like that.ย Those last four minutes we were pretty much making every shot.ย It was incredible.ย Iโm really ecstatic about this win but now itโs just about getting two more wins on the road against Arizona next week.โ
UCLA forward TJ Leaf
on last few minutes of game
โIt was a lot of fun.ย Anytime playing a rival like that and you get up big at the end, it just gets a lot more fun.ย The whole game was a lot of fun for us and it was just a good win.โ
on Lonzo Ballโs defense
โLonzo stepped up big time on both ends, especially defensively as of recent. Itโs definitely contagious, just like his unselfishness is contagious.ย When heโs getting into people, it just builds on everyone else and everyone wants to get down, get in a stance, talk and just get these stops.โ
on playing with Lonzo
โYou canโt compare him to anyone playing basketball right now.ย He does so many things and heโs so good at so many different things.ย Heโs so much fun to play with and so easy to play with.ย He makes the game easier for you in so many ways.ย Heโs just a winner.ย He competes on every play.โ
USC head coach Andy Enfield
overall statement
โWe lost.ย They played well and we didnโt.ย They are an excellent basketball team.ย We had it within seven points with ten minutes left.ย At that point, I felt like it could have been a different game.ย It doesnโt really matter.ย They shot the ball exceptionally well.ย That was the closest we could get to, seven or eight.โ
on the technical foul
โOur guy got fouled in the lane.ย Thatโs what happened.โ
on the younger players
โIt was a seven-point lead.ย It was tough on us, but when you shoot 28.6% from the three and from the two, 33%, it makes it tough.ย With UCLA, you really have to shoot with them.ย They played very well, give them credit.ย Like I said, if you shoot 28% from the three-point line, itโs gonna be tough.โ
USC guard Jordan McLaughlin
overall statement
โWe messed up on a couple of guard screens and they were able to get good looks.ย They also got the ball out in transition.โ
on if they felt the game slipped away
โI donโt feel like it did. We were right there until the last ten minutes.ย We played very hard and our energy was there.ย You just have to make sure you stay with it the whole time.โ
on the PAC-12 road games
โItโs really tough on the road, but we stole a couple this year.ย We have to go to Arizona and take care of business.ย Our communication is there.ย We just had a couple mistakes guarding โguard-to-guardโ, so they got some open threes.โ
UCLA 102, USC 70
Los Angeles, Calif. (Pauley Pavilion)
February 18, 2017
UCLA head coach Steve Alford
opening statement
โIโm extremely proud of the guys. I thought they played really well tonight. Really good job on the backboard. I thought what we did on the backboard was special and then we cut down on turnovers. When our turnovers are 12 or fewer, we play at a whole different level because it keeps us out of transition defenseโitโs where weโve given up easy thingsโand it gives us some more shots on goal. Getting 78 shots up, weโve going to make more than weโre going to miss with this team. Thought we did a really good job. To get beat 19-to-8 on the free throw line in makes, 27-to-8 on attempts, and still win the way we won, Iโm just awfully proud of the guys.โ
on how much ground defense has made up since first meeting with USC
โWeโve just talked about, really since the SC game, I just thought the time we got to the Arizona game at home and the SC game on the road, our guys were, more than anything, a little mentally tired. We went into a bye week after that, and weโve since had another bye week going into this week. So weโve had two bye weeks where weโve been able to get a little rest and then really work on some things that we needed to work onโwhether that be offensive execution or at the defensive end. In these five games, weโre 5-0 in February since that break, our defense has made great strides. Our efficiency is much, much better. Theyโre just very focused. We won a lot of games early by running away and scoring 100 points, and then when you lose a couple, it gets guysโ attention of if weโre going to play and try to win at the highest level, we donโt have to be a perfect defense, but we do have to be better. And I think over the last two-and-a-half to three weeks weโve really improved.โ
on what allowed UCLA to handle zone defense better
โWell, one, we didnโt turn the ball over. At SC, we turned the ball over, I think, 17 times. If our notes were right, 14 of the 17 turnovers were live ball turnovers. If youโre going to turn the ball over, throw it in the stands, travel, offensive foul, try to make a post feed that goes out of boundsโthose are good dead-ball turnovers. When all of a sudden youโre just giving it to them like we did three weeks ago, then they get out and run. And transition points were a lot different tonight. I think a lot of that had to do with we took care of the basketball and we were dominant on the backboard. Those were two areas that I didnโt think we were very good in game one.โ
on teamโs energy at close of first half
โItโs just fun. Iโm having fun. Iโve had fun all year with this team. Theyโre a joy to coach in practice. And I want them having fun. At times, theyโre a quiet group. We talked about that at halftime. Weโve been talking to you about stance and talking on defense since Australia. That was stuff weโve been talking about for a long time. The stance is making progress, the talking still has a lot of growth yet, because weโve got some guys that just have a quiet demeanor. The more we can talk and communicate, the better we are. Weโre so good in transition. Iโve been doing this 26 years and Iโve never had a team that is so fast and so efficient in transition. When weโre allowed to get stops, weโre allowed to get turnoversโSC didnโt turn the ball over a lot tonightโI just thought we got key stops. We run so well. Our bigs run, our guards run, they can all shoot it, dribble it, they all pass it well. We get in the open floor pretty good. If we can continue to work at that defensive end and get stops, that helps our offense get even more efficient.โ
on how team is setting up for March
โWell, weโre healthy. Weโre very healthy right now and weโve got a day off tomorrow. I like what weโre doing in practices. Our practices have been much shorter. We literally went for 50 minutes yesterday. Our shootaround this morning was 20 minutes. We just want to keep them fresh and trying to really be focused on what we want to do with our emphasis, both defensively and offensively, and get them out. Spending a little bit more time in the film room. It was good having this bye week. Our guys have knownโthatโs a credit to them, because a lot of players donโt take advantage of bye weeks. This team has done that. Theyโve gotten rest, they stay off their feet, they donโt mess around, they do what theyโre supposed to do and they do the right thingsโand because of that, I think weโre pretty fresh right now. Now weโve got two weeks left in the regular season and then weโve got a conference tournament and then postseason starts. There are no more breaks. I like going into the last two weeks of the regular season where weโre at right now because weโre playing much better now than what we were playing even a month ago. Weโve got very few lapses, even as this season has unfolded, but I like how our guys are gaining some momentum.โ
UCLA guard Bryce Alford
on defense
โThatโs been our focus all year.ย Sometimes things just start to click.ย Really after our last SC game, we kind of talked about it as a team and really just buckled down.ย If we want to make a run in the tournament, we have to get better on defense.ย If you look at every game after that first SC game, weโve gotten better on defense.ย The stats wonโt lie to you.ย Outside about 20 minutes against Oregon, weโve been playing really good defense.โ
on intensity
โItโs just one of those things, you get on a roll.ย I just love this game so much.ย Iโm so passionate about the game of basketball, UCLA, and everything thatโs happened to me in my four years here.ย When I get it going for my team and I know Iโm helping my team win, itโs just what happens to my face [snarling].โ
on winning in a blowout
โWhen youโre up 20 with a couple minutes left, sometimes you kind of take your foot off the pedal but thatโs what we learned not to do.ย Weโve had games where we were up 20 in the second half before where games have been cut closer.ย We were just trying to put together a full forty minutes.ย That was our goal and itโs our goal every game.ย Tonight, we finally did that really well.โ
on Lonzo Ball
โEveryone knows how talented he is.ย People donโt realize how much he does for the team off the court.ย From being the life of the party, a goofy kid and a normal guy.ย A guy that has 500-600 Instagram followers and all the fans and hype behind him, he can easily be a cocky dude, a bad dude.ย For him to be the person he is and be the talent he is, thatโs what has really been special.โ
on snapping losing streak to USC
โIt wasnโt fun losing 4 times in a row.ย Each time they came around we just tried to execute our game plan and fix what we didnโt do the past game.ย But sometimes that happens in college basketball.ย A team gets your number and match ups are hard to do, sometimes they get the better of you a couple of times.ย Credit to them, theyโve been a really good basketball team over the last couple years so this was a good win for us tonight.โ
UCLA guard Lonzo Ball
on momentum going into halftime
โIt helped a lot.ย Playing a rival, we knew they would come out hard.ย The focus was to get a double-digit lead before halftime.ย Thatโs what we did and it carried over into the second half.ย
on improvement against zone defense
โItโs just practice.ย Weโve been playing against zone for the last couple of weeks.ย Weโve just been working on it in practice.ย Credit to Coach Alford and his staff.โ
on being undefeated in February
โGoing into March, we have to hit out stride now.ย Coach always says February sets up March so thatโs what we are trying to do.
on defense
โGuysโ attitudes, it starts with that.ย Guys want to get down and guard now.ย We know we can score against anyone in the country. Once we guard we are hard to beat.โ
on his dadโs personality
โIโve been living with him since Iโve been born and heโs always been like that.ย He talks whatโs on his mind.ย I just have to go out there and play my game.ย I let him do the talking and I just go out and play.ย Thatโs my dad, man.ย Who wouldnโt want their son to be the best?ย I love him and whatever he says Iโm going to roll with it.โ
UCLA center Thomas Welsh
on beating their rival
โThatโs special.ย Especially for me being from LA, itโs always been a rivalry thatโs been part of my life and growing up in it. Being part of it now, being able to play in this game especially with how the last few games [against them] have been going for us.ย Weโre pretty happy about that.โ
on defense
โAfter that last SC game where we played them at their place, we had a team meeting in the locker room after just talking about what itโs going to take for us to make strides and put a run together.ย It came down to defensive intensity and being aggressive on the defense end.ย Just knowing what we had to do, that was huge for us going forward defensively.โ
on pulling away late
โIt was special.ย Against a team like that that is our rival, it was so much fun to get a win like that.ย Those last four minutes we were pretty much making every shot.ย It was incredible.ย Iโm really ecstatic about this win but now itโs just about getting two more wins on the road against Arizona next week.โ
UCLA forward TJ Leaf
on last few minutes of game
โIt was a lot of fun.ย Anytime playing a rival like that and you get up big at the end, it just gets a lot more fun.ย The whole game was a lot of fun for us and it was just a good win.โ
on Lonzo Ballโs defense
โLonzo stepped up big time on both ends, especially defensively as of recent. Itโs definitely contagious, just like his unselfishness is contagious.ย When heโs getting into people, it just builds on everyone else and everyone wants to get down, get in a stance, talk and just get these stops.โ
on playing with Lonzo
โYou canโt compare him to anyone playing basketball right now.ย He does so many things and heโs so good at so many different things.ย Heโs so much fun to play with and so easy to play with.ย He makes the game easier for you in so many ways.ย Heโs just a winner.ย He competes on every play.โ
USC head coach Andy Enfield
overall statement
โWe lost.ย They played well and we didnโt.ย They are an excellent basketball team.ย We had it within seven points with ten minutes left.ย At that point, I felt like it could have been a different game.ย It doesnโt really matter.ย They shot the ball exceptionally well.ย That was the closest we could get to, seven or eight.โ
on the technical foul
โOur guy got fouled in the lane.ย Thatโs what happened.โ
on the younger players
โIt was a seven-point lead.ย It was tough on us, but when you shoot 28.6% from the three and from the two, 33%, it makes it tough.ย With UCLA, you really have to shoot with them.ย They played very well, give them credit.ย Like I said, if you shoot 28% from the three-point line, itโs gonna be tough.โ
USC guard Jordan McLaughlin
overall statement
โWe messed up on a couple of guard screens and they were able to get good looks.ย They also got the ball out in transition.โ
on if they felt the game slipped away
โI donโt feel like it did. We were right there until the last ten minutes.ย We played very hard and our energy was there.ย You just have to make sure you stay with it the whole time.โ
on the PAC-12 road games
โItโs really tough on the road, but we stole a couple this year.ย We have to go to Arizona and take care of business.ย Our communication is there.ย We just had a couple mistakes guarding โguard-to-guardโ, so they got some open threes.โ