Bob Hoffman, Mercer Head Coach

Opening statement
“I thought our guys really paid attention to the details of the game. Playing a team that plays as hard as VMI and shoots the ball as well as they do, you have to be on point for multiple possessions in a row. I thought we carried that out on both ends of the floor at a high level with all kinds of guys getting it done. When Darius went out we had multiple other post players that hadn’t played as many minutes step in and acted like they had been playing all year. We are very fortunate to get it done tonight.”

On handling VMI’s press and three point shooting
“You have to get paint touches, whether it is shots or passing out from the paint. I thought we did that all but a couple of times. We did a good job of understanding how they were coming at us. In the second half, when they rotating five at a time, that gave them some energy. I had to sub a little more. I probably didn’t keep up with the subbing as well as I should have. Our guys made tremendous plays and unselfish plays looking for each other at the rim.”

On if Mercer prepared differently for tonight compared to their two regular season matchups
“It was almost the same, really. We worked against pressure. You never know how they’re going to press you. He does a good job of camouflaging what they’re trying to bring at you. We felt like they might do some more things, so we were ready for the kitchen sink. We were able to overcome it because our guys stepped to the pass, played with their feet, and the footwork was outstanding. Stepping to passes is a huge thing against trapping teams. We were able to throw it ahead and get some easy shots. That helped us get to the point where we were able to finish the game.”

Ike Nwagu, Mercer junior guard

On being in the SoCon tournament for the first time and having a good performance in their opening game

“It’s just a culmination of all the hard work we’ve put in during the season, the preseason, and the summer. It’s just a blessing to be able to play at a high level in this place.”

T.J. Hallice, Mercer senior forward

On knowing what it takes to win in March

“It was huge. Just taking things one game at a time. That’s what we did last year and that’s what we’re doing this year. Coach puts us in a great position to win every night. You see the product of us winning tonight because our coaches put us in there and we just execute. It’s all team.”

VMI Keydets
Coach Duggar Baucom
Opening statement

“Credit Mercer, while they were good tonight, we have a league full of good coaches and Coach Hoffman is right at the top. They took us out of about everything we wanted to do. We tried to take away their inside game and they started making threes. It was a tough night. Some days you’re the windshield, some days you’re the bug and they certainly made us the bug tonight.”

Thoughts on season
“This season has been a challenge for these two guys (Phillip Anglade & Julian Eleby). We had 19 different guys on the roster at some time. We had 15 different starting line ups in 30 games. Julian had never played point guard in his life and I threw him in the fire and he has been nothing short of magnificent as you can see today, he had 22 points and 11 rebounds. He has been phenomenal. I hate it for my seniors that their last year had so much turmoil, but that’s just life, you can’t pick and choose and you make the best with what you’re given. I’m proud for all 11 wins.”

Phillip Anglade
On Mercer
“Give all the credit to Mercer tonight, they were the better team. I felt we beat ourselves. It was a lack of communication and turnovers and that switched the game around early. I hate it for my seniors to go out like this, especially on the big stage. It’s tough.

Julian Eleby
On teams performance
“We didn’t execute and they started making threes. We turned the ball over and Mercer was the better team tonight. They executed and made tough plays down the stretch. We couldn’t overcome adversity.”