Rylan Griffen: "Everybody knows your defensive ranking but that doesn't really matter right now... All that stuff is in the past and I think we're capable enough of playing great defense."
Jarin Stevenson on Grand Canyon: "They're very athletic, going in on offensive rebounds.. I feel like we have to spread them out and make plays."
Griffen: "They're really experienced, really athletic, really big and really strong."
Griffen: "We just gotta focus, pay attention, stay there on the scouting report and stay locked in on the game plan... just be IQ defenders and not selfish defenders."
Griffen said Alabama previously allowed fans to get in players' heads at times this season. "The game is going to be played on the court, not in the stands."
Griffen: "Even after a loss I still love these dudes... I love going to practice the next day... I love going to war with these dudes. It makes me fight even harder."
Oats: "I thought our defense was good in stretches against Charleston, it's going to have to be even better against Grand Canyon." Said the first time he watched Grand Canyon was against Saint Mary's and they have a high-major roster.
Nate Oats said Latrell rested in the hotel instead of participating in shootaround Saturday.
Oats: "We've played some tough physical athletic teams in our league. I think it prepares us for a game like this."
Oats: "We've gotta keep our guards fresh."
Nate Oats said college basketball environments are better than professional sports: "I'm looking forward to having a. big crowd in here tomorrow."
Oats said Alabama had the defense Oats wanted for 30 minutes last night. "We not going to get in top 40 over the year but I think we can be top 40 for however many games here."
Oats said Charleston is a good team but Grand Canyon is at a whole new level physically.
Oats says Grand Canyon is on the rise and is investing greatly in its basketball program.
Oats' visit to the Yale room had some superstition behind it. He visited Yale after its victory
Oats on Mark Sears mom: "We need Mark playing with the same energy that she's cheering with."
Oats on Auburn's Chad Baker-Mazara being ejected: "I've had similar incidents and you feel for the rest of the Auburn team and Coach Pearl... you've gotta make better decisions with the season on the line."