SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 10, 2021

Scotty Pippen, Jr.

Vanderbilt Commodores

Postgame Press Conference

Vanderbilt 79, Texas A&M 68

THE MODERATOR: Scotty, thanks for joining us. Why don't we start with some opening thoughts from you.

SCOTTY PIPPEN, JR.: Well, I thought we came out defensively, we just jumped on them. We got a good enough lead, 15 points at one point. Kind of maintained that defensive intensity.

Offensively we were hitting the shots, DJ, Max, everyone got involved. That just carried on to the win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. In a game like that where the outside shot isn't falling for you, is it hard to stay focused on the floor game and doing everything else well? How do you approach that?

SCOTTY PIPPEN, JR.: Just keep shooting. I know I can shoot the ball. I'm confident. But at the same time I know my team needs me to be aggressive. Even though my shots aren't falling, I know I can still impact the game by getting assists, get in the lane, getting to the free-throw line like I did tonight.

Q. I guess it's just an opening-round game, but at the same time this program hasn't won an SEC tournament game since 2017, not much success before that. How significant is this for you guys to win a post-season game?

SCOTTY PIPPEN, JR.: Yeah, it's significant. Some guys on the team have been here four years, haven't won a game in the tournament. It's big for us. But we're looking forward to more games.

But it's a good start.

Q. How much does it help playing a team that you've faced before in the next round?

SCOTTY PIPPEN, JR.: Yeah, playing Florida, we played them already two times. I wouldn't say it helps because we both know each other's stuff. I would say it's a little bit of an adjustment. But I just expect defense and pressuring us, stuff like that. We kind of know their tendency, stuff like that, so it's easier to scout. I know they're going to try to key in on me, so I can get my teammates open and stuff like that.

It helps to play them. You know who is good, who is not, stuff like that. So it helps.

Q. How proud are you of your guys, what you were able to do tonight, given what some may perceive as limitations heading into this tournament?

SCOTTY PIPPEN, JR.: Yeah, I'm real proud of everyone. I feel like everyone had a good game. I don't think there was anyone out there that didn't -- everyone came off the bench, gave us good minutes from shooting the ball, defending, hustle plays. Even our freshmen, Myles and Trey, they came in and made some big shots. I feel like we got a lot of momentum coming into the tournament.

Q. What about just getting to tomorrow, the full day of the tournament? How exciting is it to just be able to advance, maybe kind of take in more of a tournament atmosphere tomorrow?

SCOTTY PIPPEN, JR.: Yeah, we're really excited. This is kind of our goal. We didn't really think we were going to lose today. Going into the tournament, we expected to make some noise. I feel like we're a dangerous team because no one expects us to win, no one expect us to go to the NCAA tournament. Since we're not going to make it to the tournament, why should they?

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.

SCOTTY PIPPEN, JR.: Appreciate you.