WATCH: Players Postgame Presser - No. 4 Alabama
January 30, 2025 | Men's Basketball
STARKVILLE - Mississippi State's Claudell Harris Jr. and Josh Hubbard spoke to the media following tonight's game with No. 4 Alabama.
Guards Claudell Harris Jr. and Josh Hubbard
Q: Josh, it was another close one between Alabama and you guys. What made it hard for you to pick up on their pick and rolls?
JH: "Yeah, they did a tremendous job, especially doing it so quickly transition-wise. Defensively, I think on the short rolls they weren't there quick enough. Especially in the first half, they got a couple of buckets. We adjusted to it in the second half, but we just couldn't find an answer."
Q: Claudell, this team has gotten good wins in tough SEC environments, but you haven't beaten a top ten team yet. What's it going to take to take down a team like this?
CHJ: "We've just got to stay the course, keep our heads in the right space and know that we're a team that can still beat those teams. SEC play is a gauntlet. So, you'll have your ups and downs, but you've just got to keep going, keep fighting. We're going to get back right."
Q: Josh, when you took that fall in the first half, what was going through your mind at that point? How did they fix you up to come back out and have no thoughts of wear?
JH: "Yeah, I twisted it [the ankle] pretty bad man. My trainer [Andrew Kegley] said I had two options whether to get an injection or get some really powerful antibiotics. So, I took some antibiotics because I just hate shots. Put some extra tape on there and just went back out and competed."
Q: Josh, you drove the ball out to the rim tonight. Was that kind of a point of emphasis for you coming into this game?
JH: "To be honest, not really. Just reacting to the defense and what they showed and having quick reactions on the run."
Q: Josh, take us through the last 20 seconds or so. You get some free throws there and give you guys a chance, you have a good look at the rim with Murph [Keshawn Murphy]. What did you see in the final two possessions that you just weren't able to do to pull off the win?
JH: "Yeah, we had a great look like you said to Murph. A lot of people are going to say that he lost us the game, that's not true. He competed at a high level, and we were in that game because of him. Actually, it was the possession before that was the reason why we lost that game. That and [the end of] first half especially. We didn't box out [on the missed free throws late in the game]. The key to having more positive vibes in games like that is you've got to take advantage of things like that."
Q: We just talked about in general, being able to win these games at this stage. What's a good take for the defense to have good matchups in these type of games?
CHJ: "We just got to keep our intensity high on defense. Our coaches create great game plans to go in with a winning game plan. We get the answers to the test before we go in, and we may have to make adjustments here and there, mid game, at halftime, whatever the case is. And then, we've got to keep our intensity high and stay together and keep communicating."
Q: The team has had some tough losses this year and have been able to bounce back pretty well. How important is it these next few days to not let this game beat you and win this Saturday against a very good opponent?
CHJ: "They're very important. Every day, we get a chance to work and to get better. It's important to take every game seriously and play to the highest level you can. So, when we come back with L's like this, it just motivates us to get back in the gym and work to get back on the winning side."
Guards Claudell Harris Jr. and Josh Hubbard
Q: Josh, it was another close one between Alabama and you guys. What made it hard for you to pick up on their pick and rolls?
JH: "Yeah, they did a tremendous job, especially doing it so quickly transition-wise. Defensively, I think on the short rolls they weren't there quick enough. Especially in the first half, they got a couple of buckets. We adjusted to it in the second half, but we just couldn't find an answer."
Q: Claudell, this team has gotten good wins in tough SEC environments, but you haven't beaten a top ten team yet. What's it going to take to take down a team like this?
CHJ: "We've just got to stay the course, keep our heads in the right space and know that we're a team that can still beat those teams. SEC play is a gauntlet. So, you'll have your ups and downs, but you've just got to keep going, keep fighting. We're going to get back right."
Q: Josh, when you took that fall in the first half, what was going through your mind at that point? How did they fix you up to come back out and have no thoughts of wear?
JH: "Yeah, I twisted it [the ankle] pretty bad man. My trainer [Andrew Kegley] said I had two options whether to get an injection or get some really powerful antibiotics. So, I took some antibiotics because I just hate shots. Put some extra tape on there and just went back out and competed."
Q: Josh, you drove the ball out to the rim tonight. Was that kind of a point of emphasis for you coming into this game?
JH: "To be honest, not really. Just reacting to the defense and what they showed and having quick reactions on the run."
Q: Josh, take us through the last 20 seconds or so. You get some free throws there and give you guys a chance, you have a good look at the rim with Murph [Keshawn Murphy]. What did you see in the final two possessions that you just weren't able to do to pull off the win?
JH: "Yeah, we had a great look like you said to Murph. A lot of people are going to say that he lost us the game, that's not true. He competed at a high level, and we were in that game because of him. Actually, it was the possession before that was the reason why we lost that game. That and [the end of] first half especially. We didn't box out [on the missed free throws late in the game]. The key to having more positive vibes in games like that is you've got to take advantage of things like that."
Q: We just talked about in general, being able to win these games at this stage. What's a good take for the defense to have good matchups in these type of games?
CHJ: "We just got to keep our intensity high on defense. Our coaches create great game plans to go in with a winning game plan. We get the answers to the test before we go in, and we may have to make adjustments here and there, mid game, at halftime, whatever the case is. And then, we've got to keep our intensity high and stay together and keep communicating."
Q: The team has had some tough losses this year and have been able to bounce back pretty well. How important is it these next few days to not let this game beat you and win this Saturday against a very good opponent?
CHJ: "They're very important. Every day, we get a chance to work and to get better. It's important to take every game seriously and play to the highest level you can. So, when we come back with L's like this, it just motivates us to get back in the gym and work to get back on the winning side."
Josh Hubbard - "I'm Back"
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