Relief, Resilience, and a Response: Coach Opens Up After Long-Awaited Win
After 32 days without a victory, the feeling inside the locker room was different. There was relief. There was pride. And perhaps most importantly, there was belief restored.
Opening Statement
“Well, I’d be lying if I didn’t say felt good to to be on the other side of the win and loss situation. So really happy for our guys that played well. We’ve been playing better. I’ve been saying this in these last couple of games on the road at the top two teams in standings, and I thought we did some really good things in those in those games at Alabama, at Florida, I think was one of our best defensive halves in terms of our first shot defense.”
The coach emphasized that progress had been building — it just hadn’t yet shown up in the win column.
“So we’ve been doing some things well, and then for it all to come together on a day that she also shot the ball well, I thought that was it was really good for the guys, just to enjoy that feeling and the rest of the season is the shortest part of the season, but it’s the most important part of the season for us. So we’ll approach every game like that and try to build on some of the things that have been brewing for a little bit. This is the first one that has culminated in a win in a little while. So but continuing to build on some of the things that we’ve really been working on.”
The message was clear: this wasn’t random. It was earned.
Locking Down Josh Hubbard
One of the night’s biggest storylines was the defensive focus on , a prolific scorer who rarely sees a defense he hasn’t solved.
“I don’t know if there’s anything he doesn’t expect at this time. This guy has been getting buckets I imagine his entire existence, but, this is what I will say. I’ll have to watch the game to confirm it, but it would surprise me if we ever rotated to him one time in the game, we always were on him with one man, and then we had another man who half of his responsibility was being close to him.”
The strategy? No clean action looks. No rhythm.
“We didn’t want him to score off of any actual action, so we showed a lot of attention to him.”
The coach praised his team’s discipline in executing a short-prep game plan.
“It was our attention to the game plan was elite in this game as it was in that game. And so that doesn’t mean you always win.”
Even in victory, there were correctable issues — particularly second-chance points — but the buy-in stood out.
“They get a lot, a lot, a lot a lot of credit for that.”
Smart Basketball, SEC Urgency & Kobe’s Growth
As postseason play approaches, decision-making becomes everything.
“Yeah, very important. I mean, that’s we’ve always wanted basketball to be our ally.”
The coach broke that down as basketball IQ — shooting, passing, dribbling — combined with competitiveness and athleticism.
One player’s development stood out: .
“Kobe in particular, is a guy that, when he first got here, he was really trying to work on at this level of attacking, getting into the paint and finishing.”
Now?
“He’s been really fun to watch, grow… to see him now making strong moves… he’s flourishing that way as an individual.”
The assists and ball movement reflected the team’s identity. This wasn’t new — it was a return to form.
“This is how the entire summer and fall preseason exhibition games was like this… we always, always were. We could always make threes.”
Recent shooting struggles had been puzzling.
“We’ve had games, certainly, where we have struggled a lot this year, which has actually blown my mind as shooters.”
But this performance may have flipped the switch.
“This was a good one to hopefully get the page turned, and hopefully water will continue to try to find its level.”
Jordan Butler’s Energy Shift
When asked about , the coach didn’t hesitate.
“So valuable. I mean, it’s honestly, I do think it changed where the complexion of the game was going.”
Butler’s activity changed momentum — tip-ins, rebounds, rim protection, perimeter mobility.
“He just was really active, really active.”
There’s a simple formula with Butler.
“When Jordan Butler is active, he ends up making positive things happen.”
At halftime, the message was simple:
“I said, ready to go when we were again, when we were when we put you in the game, just be ready to go.”
Consistency remains the next step.
“It’s no lack of ability or talent on behalf of Jordan Butler.”
20 Assists: Unselfish Basketball
Twenty assists on 31 made field goals doesn’t happen accidentally.
“It doesn’t happen if you have selfish guys.”
The offense isn’t random — it’s systematic.
“We try to run a little offense till we get an advantage. Attack the advantage and then respond based on what the defense does.”
This game simply rewarded that process.
“This is the first game in a while that we got paid off by making it.”
The coach even pointed to , currently near the top of the conference in assist rate.
“If we were shooting the ball the way that I have always believed we’re capable of, he would be far and away the leader in this conference in assist rate.”
The foundation is there. The shots just need to keep falling.
The 32-Day Drought: Mental Toll & Mindset
“For you as a coach and as a person, when you go 32 days without getting a win…”
“Yeah, I mean, that’s a good question. It sounds so different when you say 32 days.”
The coach admitted it’s unfamiliar territory.
“These are just foreign, completely foreign places for me to ever be.”
But his approach doesn’t waver.
“Usually by the next morning… I got my mojo back.”
Energy remains constant.
“There’s never a day I don’t go in there with tremendous energy.”
And perspective grounds him.
“I love what I do. I love the opportunity to be around these young people.”
Frustration turns quickly into motivation.
“I’m a pretty, pretty positive guy when it’s all said and done, I believe in my guy.”
The Impact of Alex English
The presence of basketball legend around the program continues to resonate.
“Alex has been great. He’s been around a lot.”
While younger players may not fully grasp his era…
“They don’t even recognize what 1996 was, which is when I graduated college.”
They understand his legacy.
“Alex’s commitment to this is also very unique.”
The pride runs deep.
“Alex is from here. Alex played here. Alex sits on the board. Alex’s is garnet and black through and through.”
And the door is always open.
“It’s always nice to see him in the gym… We’ll get him in the gym here sometime soon.”
Final Takeaway
This wasn’t just a win. It was validation.
Elite defensive discipline. Smart, unselfish offense. Growth from key players. Energy from the bench. And a coach who never stopped believing.
After 32 days, the page has turned.
Source: on3
