SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 14, 2021

Jahvon Quinerly

Alabama Crimson Tide

Postgame Press Conference

Alabama 80, LSU 79

THE MODERATOR: We are now joined by the tournament MVP, Jahvon Quinerly. If you could talk about the game today, your performance over the whole week.

JAHVON QUINERLY: Man, that was another dogfight. Super proud of the guys just for kind of just finishing that game out. It was real back and forth pretty much the whole second half, just a back-and-forth game.

I'm so proud everyone just stayed locked in, got stops. That last play, seven seconds, Herb's defense, just super proud of the guys. I feel like this weekend kind of has been a turning point for me. I had an up-and-down year for the most part. It was a turning point for me. I'm a lot more comfortable on the court. I'm just comfortable in my role on the team. I know what I bring to the table.

THE MODERATOR: We'll start with questions.

Q. You said it was a dogfight out there. What was it like before the game with a little bit of a dust-up? What happened?

JAHVON QUINERLY: I personally don't know how it started or anything. It definitely motivated us even more going into the game. I would just leave it at that. I didn't really know what was going on.

It definitely motivated us, gave us an extra push before the game started.

Q. To be in the role of not being a starter, to be named MVP, what does that mean to you?

JAHVON QUINERLY: Man, it means a lot. It means a lot. I've been through a lot these last couple years. Being blessed to be named the MVP of the tournament, it's just a blessing. I'm just so happy my family got to watch.

All credit to my teammates. Without them, I wouldn't have really won it. Just the confidence that they put in me. We just all believe in each other. This is a great group of guys.

The feeling is -- I can't really explain it. It's an amazing feeling.

Q. This tournament as a whole, seemed like you were in a great offensive rhythm, then what you said afterwards, certainly great accomplishments for this team so far but not being done.

JAHVON QUINERLY: Oh, yeah, no, I have full faith that we can take this thing, take the NCAA tournament by storm, win the whole thing. I know how hard we work. I know we have one of the -- we have the best coaching staff in the country who just prepares us each and every game. I have full faith if we lock in and do what we got to do, we'll be crowned again.

There's more work to be done.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.