SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 11, 2021

Jarkel Joiner

Ole Miss Rebels

Postgame Press Conference

Ole Miss 76, South Carolina 59

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Jarkel Joiner.

Q. You spent so much time this season trying to figure out that offensive identity. How good was it today to kind of be firing on all cylinders offensively?

JARKEL JOINER: Man, it felt good, man. We knew what type of work we put in. That's just work before the season start. That's work during pre-season. We put a lot of time in the gym, the whole team get exercise, get extra work in. It paid off at the right time.

Q. What do you remember about the first meeting you had with LSU?

JARKEL JOINER: That we wasn't ready to go. That we got to be excited to play every game. We was just not ready to go. Our mental wasn't there. This time around we'll be ready.

Q. In your eyes, is the game tomorrow night basically a play-in game for the tournament?

JARKEL JOINER: Most definitely. From here on out, when we started, we played Mississippi State at home, coach said, It's the playoffs. We tried to take every game from there as a play-in game.

Q. Do y'all pay much attention to the bubble? You're going to say you don't pay that much attention to it, but are you aware of it?

JARKEL JOINER: Yeah, coach talks about it sometimes, not all the time. He just want us locked in on basketball and playing. We know about it a little bit.

Q. How does that change your approach or the way y'all attack games knowing y'all have to win, that desperation?

JARKEL JOINER: It really don't change at all. Like, we know what we playing for. It doesn't change. Our mental is just go out there and play our hearts out, try to win a game.

Q. Jarkel, where does tonight's game rank in terms of how complete of a game y'all played? Was this one of the more complete efforts?

JARKEL JOINER: Yeah, most definitely. Like I said, we all had confidence in ourself, and the coaching staff all had confidence in us. It showed tonight.

Q. What do you remember about the last time you squared off against LSU and how different of a team do you think you guys are now compared to that game?

JARKEL JOINER: Like I stated earlier, we weren't mentally ready. We weren't ready to play. This time around, like I said, we'll be ready.

Q. When you say you weren't mentally prepared, what did that mean?

JARKEL JOINER: I think, was it that game -- I think that game, like, we was supposed to play South Carolina. Like I say, we just weren't mentally ready. We always got to be ready, doesn't matter, especially during the COVID. We didn't know how it would affect us. Like I said, we'll be ready tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.

JARKEL JOINER: Thanks.