Purnell Post-game Press Conference

CLEMSON - Listen to head coach Oliver Purnell after Saturday's win over N.C. State.

Listen to Audio (7:59)

On his team’s win: “I’m very pleased to get a hard-fought win today. I thought our defense was the story with our ability to shut them down early and late. I thought our press was good for early turnovers, and then again late to get a working margin. I’m pleased to get a win in our ACC home opener.”

On the overall play of his bench: “We can talk about them today, but it’s been the story all season. Those guys came in and ratcheted up the volume defensively, got the crowd into the game, and hit some shots.”

On the performance of Trevor Booker: “I thought we had an advantage there. I thought Booker did too much fading until early in the second half. Then he went to work on the block. As long as we can get the ball down low, let’s keep doing it.”

On his team’s focus coming into the game: “I really liked the way we handled the approach to this game. Nobody was talking about N.C. State, everybody was talking about Wake and North Carolina. A team with less experience can get caught up in that. We can’t stop and smell the roses, because ACC teams are going to come at us.”

On whether the week layoff is good for his team: “We’re playing well, so maybe we should play tomorrow. It will be good to replenish their tanks physically and emotionally. This is a long season, then you have the ACC Tournament, and that takes a toll on you.”