Tennessee basketball needed a fantastic performance from freshman forward Nate Ament, and got it on Thursday afternoon in the SEC Tournament. The Vols defeated Auburn 72-62 behind 27 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks from Ament.
After the game, Ament met with the media. He was asked about coming off an injury, the game vs. Vanderbilt tomorrow and more.
Here’s what he said.
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Press Conference
Q. Nate, what have the last two weeks been like for you? How does it feel to have this sort of game?
NATE AMENT: Me and Ja’Kobi actually just talked about it in the hallway. It’s different when you get to sit and watch the game, watch them practice. I can kind of understand the things we need to do better, what we are as a team, running to get the ball. A lot of my energy and focus today was trying to get the big men involved as much as possible because I think we’re a dangerous team when our big mans are playing well.
Q. Nate, when did you know you probably would be able to play? As you got into the game today, did it take you a while to get into your rhythm?
NATE AMENT: I mean, me and all the coaches and our trainer, we’ve been in constant communication. I kind of knew early last night I was going to play.
But they’ve been working super hard with me. A lot of credit to them. And then me just trying to focus on getting everybody involved. I know that I don’t have to do too much with this team for us to win. I don’t got to shoot the ball every time, I don’t got to do something with the ball every time. For me, it’s just move the ball as much as I can. I know they’ll pass it back to me, find me. For me, it’s sharing the love for my teammates and in the end I can get a shot.
Q. I know you want to enjoy this moment, but when you look to tomorrow, obviously you have Vanderbilt. Your thoughts…
NATE AMENT: I didn’t get to play last time, but watching the game, we can’t come out slow like we did last time with a team like Vanderbilt. They’re super well-coached, disciplined. If you give them some wiggle room, give them a lead early, they’re going to capitalize it. For us, it’s respecting our opponents utmost and taking care of the game for a full 40 minutes.
Q. Nate, how did you feel today? Seemed to indicate you felt okay.
NATE AMENT: I felt great. Felt pretty good (smiling).
Q. Nate, where do you think your game has improved the most from where you were to now?
NATE AMENT: I think before I got here, I mean, I was someone that could just do a little bit of everything. I wasn’t particularly super great at one thing.
Being with my Coach Barnes and all the assistant coaches in the game every day, working on physicality, getting stronger, finding the drive, my pull-up game, shooting midranges. Also learning the game, thinking the game. My IQ wasn’t super high when I got here.
All these game reps and practice reps, I’ve been able to learn the game, learn my teammates, play on a team that everyone can play well.
Exclusive Quotes with Rocky Top Insider
On playing 32 minutes
“Yeah. As soon as I found out I was starting, I knew that Coach Barnes was always going to check in on me and ask how I was doing, if I wanted to sub. I knew I was going to say no a lot of the times. I knew he was just going to let me play if I was feeling good.”
On if he felt 100%
“For sure. Huge credit to Chad, our athletic trainer, G, our strength coach and all the doctors that we have in the program. They’ve been doing a terrific job of getting me back to 100%. It’s still a little bit sore and stuff like that but it’s alright. I can play through it.”
On the frustration of not playing
“It’s super frustrating and especially in a game like Vanderbilt where we needed to win and I really wanted to play. Especially with our last home game and I’m saying goodbye to a lot of our seniors, I really wanted to play and it was really aggravating. A lot of emotions for me. I just want to be there for our team, our fans. Especially for that last home game.”
On his dominant stretch vs. Auburn
“For me, I was just getting downhill and taking what the defense gives me. Also, we started the game trying to feed our big men a lot. It allows us to open the floor. For me, it’s just sharing the ball because I know I’m going to get it back eventually.”
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