SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 12, 2021

Herbert Jones

Alabama Crimson Tide

Postgame Press Conference

Alabama 85, Mississippi State 48

THE MODERATOR: We're joined by Herbert Jones.

Your thoughts on the game, then some questions.

HERBERT JONES: I feel like we came out and established ourself on the defensive end. Of course, our shots was falling, but I think that started on the defensive end, started with us getting stops. Not giving up offensive rebounds.

We just played with a ton of confidence right out of the gate. I know J.P. said earlier a lot of people had doubts about us starting games with the 11:00 tip. I feel like today we came out and proved we can play at any time.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. It felt like you guys were pretty efficient out there. Is this maybe the best game, complete game, you guys have played this year?

HERBERT JONES: I would think so. But, I mean, every day in practice I feel like -- that was not surprising at all to me. Like every day in practice I see it.

We came out, like I said, started on the defensive end. Our shots was falling. We're pretty dangerous. When our shots are falling, we're going to come out and play defense every night, but when our shots are falling, we're very dangerous.

Q. You came out super strong defensively and offensively. How much of that is credited to you guys can play with so much confidence and freedom because you do know you're firmly in the NCAA tournament conversation? How loose were you?

HERBERT JONES: We really don't think about -- I haven't thought about it like that. We just come out and, like, try to play our best game every night. We don't really come in and be like, All right. We really don't have anything to lose. Like, we already made the tournament.

We just come in, try to play our best game every night. Coach gives us the confidence and the freedom to play that way. I credit that a lot to the coaching staff that lets us, like, play our game.

Q. John Petty now has 301 made threes. Talk about what he's meant to you and this team. With Josh Primo's injury, what about a guy like Darius Miles that came in and played well today. Can you count on him to play a bigger role?

HERBERT JONES: I'll start with J.P. I mean, from day one, he always gave us a spark offensively. As the years went on, he started to become a great two-way player. Like now, I mean, he inspires me, to be honest, the way he grew into a defender. He preaches to me all the time to play with a ton of confidence on the offensive end.

Josh Primo going down today, like I say, I see it every day in practice. Like, Darius Miles, he's going to be a really good player as his time continues here at Alabama. He has a ton of upside. He can pass, dribble and shoot. He can defend as well. I think he'll be very good as time goes on.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.