SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 13, 2021

Moses Moody

Arkansas Razorbacks

Postgame Press Conference

LSU 78, Arkansas 71

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Moses Moody.

Q. What was the difference in the second half? Also the struggles with the free throws that Arkansas had tonight.

MOSES MOODY: Yeah, I mean, in the second half they got out of that zone, they really tried to turn the pressure up. We were taking like one or two extra dribbles getting into that lane, got on two feet, got on balance, myself included.

Then the free throws, yeah, I mean, I don't know what it was. A lot of them just wasn't falling with myself and the team. Just ball going in and out. Sometimes it goes that way.

Q. It's never fun to lose, but the silver lining is you have more basketball to be played. With that in mind, what are some things you can take away from this game and improve on before Indianapolis?

MOSES MOODY: Yeah, I mean, we're just going to take this as a learning experience. They say you don't lose, you learn. So we were hot, we were on a streak. Now this just gives us a chance to regroup, get off that emotional high and get back to the trenches where it all started.

Q. After your hot start, what did LSU do defensively to guard you and keep you from continuing to go on the streak that you were on?

MOSES MOODY: Yeah, I mean, when they were sitting in that 1-3-1, I was wide open. A lot of those shots was easy, wide-open shots. When they got out of that, they put more attention, they started switching, ball screens, just tried to stay with me more.

Q. Do you feel also this game was more of a physical game, maybe your legs kind of gave out because you didn't have an extra guy to go to on the bench in Jaylin Williams?

MOSES MOODY: I mean, I did kind of feel like a physical fatigue. That's nothing to blame a loss on or anything. You got to be able to fight through that. It's been our first time I guess this season playing back-to-back.

We can't blame that for the loss. We got to be able to fight against adversity and come out with the win.

Q. 20 turnovers last night against Missouri, then 16 today. Is there anything in particular you can put your finger on with the high number of turnovers?

MOSES MOODY: I mean, just active hands, long defenders, yeah. I don't -- yeah, yeah.

Q. It's been a long time since you guys have lost. What did coach say to you right after the game?

MOSES MOODY: I mean, that was of the main thing he was talking about, it's not over. We got to regroup and be ready for the NCAA championship because we don't get any more do-overs.

Q. You haven't had very many low-scoring games this year. When you do, you always come back and score well. Do you have a little extra juice or maybe a guy like you is not going to have two low-scoring games in a row?

MOSES MOODY: It kind of seems like after I have a low-scoring game, the next team doesn't really put that much attention. After I have a high-scoring game, next time I might be face guarded all game or something like that. This game, they left me open a lot. Those shots are easy.

Q. You haven't lost to an SEC team in two months. Longest winning streak in 27 years, I think that's right. Can you put the streak in perspective, realize that sooner or later somebody was going to probably beat you?

MOSES MOODY: Yeah. I mean, we wanted to finish it out, finish out the SEC season with no more losses. That would have been cool.

You can't just completely pass over it and be too down about it. You have to see it for what it is. We did make history. I mean, that's a positive, for sure. Be more excited about it later after this game.

Q. You get the news about the NCAA tomorrow. I'm sure you are probably going to be a three seed. How do you feel about that? Tomorrow will be a good day.

MOSES MOODY: Yeah, I mean, that's going to be exciting for sure. I've never been, obviously never been to the NCAA tournament. Been watching March Madness all my life. I'm going to be excited to be able to be a part of it.

Q. Ethan gave you guys some big minutes today. Played well last night. How do you feel about what Ethan did and getting Jaylin back for the NCAA tournament?

MOSES MOODY: I think Ethan really stepped up in Jaylin's shoes since he's been gone. We needed a guy to come in and do what Ethan did. He fulfilled that role.

Jaylin coming back is going to be an extra plus, with Ethan playing the way he is, that's going to be a new addition to the team almost.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.