Men’s Basketball Falls to Tennessee; Ends Season in Sweet 16

DETROIT, Mich. — Second-seeded and sixth-ranked Tennessee used a 21-4 run to start out the second half and third-seeded and Eleventh-ranked Creighton’s comeback fell simply quick because the Vols received 82-75 in motion on the Midwest Regional Semifinal in Detroit late on Friday night time.

The Volunteers (27-8) advance to Sunday’s Regional Remaining towards top-seeded Purdue (32-4), which beat Gonzaga 80-68 within the first sport of the night. Creighton finishes its season with a 25-10 mark, its most wins since additionally ending 25-10 in 2016-17.

Baylor Scheierman led CU with 25 factors within the closing sport of his standout profession whereas including six rebounds. He performed all however the closing 5 seconds, as did fellow senior Ryan Kalkbrenner (14 factors, seven rebounds, two blocks). Additionally in double-figures for the Bluejays was Steven Ashworth (16) and Trey Alexander (13 factors, seven rebounds, six assists). The Bluejays shot 44.8 p.c for the sport, together with 47.8 p.c from three-point vary, and made 12-of-13 free throws (92.3 p.c) to complete the yr capturing a school-record 78.8 p.c for the season.

First Workforce All-American Dalton Knecht paced Tennessee with 26 factors, additionally contributing six rebounds and 5 assists. Zakai Zeigler by no means left the ground and completed with 18 factors, six assists and 4 rebounds whereas drawing six fouls. Rounding out UT’s double-figure trio was Josiah-Jordan James with 15. The Volunteers shot 41.8 p.c from the sphere and hit 45.8 p.c of its pictures from downtown (11-24). UT received the rebound battle 36-34 and outscored CU 10-0 off turnovers, 18-5 in transition and 15-4 off the bench.

The primary half was a great one. A deep three-pointer by Scheierman, adopted by a thee-point play from Alexander, helped tie the rating at 24-all with 5:06 left within the opening half. Ashworth then swished a three-pointer on the subsequent journey as CU retook the lead at 27-26. After Knecht responded with a trey, Ashworth and Scheierman bombed consecutive triples as CU matched its largest lead at 33-29 and prompted a Tennessee timeout.

The groups exchanged the lead eight occasions within the first half, with Kalkbrenner’s seventy fifth slam of the season giving CU a 35-34 lead on the break. Scheierman led all gamers with 15 factors within the first half, whereas Kalkbrenner added eight factors and a game-high six rebounds earlier than intermission. Knecht led the Vols with 10 factors within the first half as UT shot 5-for-10 behind the road earlier than the break after going 3-for-25 type downtown in a Second Spherical win vs. Texas.

Tennessee turned up the protection early within the second half, utilizing a 18-0 run to take its largest lead at 55-39. That stretch began with two free throws from Knecht and would come with 4 lay-ups along with a pair of three-pointers earlier than a three-ball by Scheierman snapped the scoreless drought at simply over 5 minutes.

The Bluejays battled again after falling behind by as a lot as 15, utilizing a 9-2 run to halve the deficit to 62-55 with 8:10 remaining after Scheierman’s conventional three-point play. A Kalkbrenner lay-up and two free throws made it a three-point sport (62-59) with 6:02 left however Knecht drilled a contested three-pointer to halve the Bluejay momentum. Ashworth buried a three-pointer however once more Knecht answered with a trey. A 3-point play by Tobe Awaka with 1:39 left gave the Vols a 71-64 lead and UT transformed on the line down the stretch to ice the sport as CU by no means acquired any nearer than 5 factors within the closing minute.

NOTES: The sport was Creighton’s a hundred and first in a row to be televised … Trey Alexander made his program-record ninth NCAA Event begin and Ryan Kalkbrenner performed in his program-record Eleventh NCAA Event sport .. Baylor Scheierman has made a three-pointer in 23 straight video games tied for the seventh-longest streak in program historical past … Creighton made a three-pointer for the 1,020th straight sport … Baylor Scheierman had his twentieth straight sport with 10 factors or extra in a row … Ryan Kalkbrenner’s dunk that gave Creighton the lead on the finish of the primary half was his seventy fifth slam of the season, probably the most in a single yr by a participant underneath Greg McDermott at Creighton. The earlier excessive of 74 was by Martin Krampelj in 2018-19 ..  Ryan Kalkbrenner had his 58th straight sport of eight or extra factors and twenty second sport in a row with 10 or extra factors … Ryan Kalkbrenner joined Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander as the primary trio in program historical past with 600 factors in the identical season …  Baylor Scheierman and Ryan Kalkbrenner are the primary duo in BIG EAST historical past to have a minimum of 600 factors and 250 rebounds in the identical season … Baylor Scheierman made his closing 31 free throws, the fifth-longest streak in program historical past …  Baylor Scheierman  tied Ethan Wragge’s 110 for second-most three-pointers in Creighton single-season historical past.

 

Friday, March 29, 2024

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Little Caesars Enviornment

Creighton Bluejays

Candy 16 Postgame Media Convention

 

Tennessee – 82, Creighton – 75

GREG McDERMOTT: Congrats to Tennessee. They have a heck of a staff. They performed rather well tonight, actually shot the basketball nicely. I’ve identified Coach Barnes a very long time. There’s a variety of good folks on this enterprise, however you’d have a tough time discovering one higher than him.

Whereas I am upset that this journey has come to an finish, I am excited for him and his program. He is a first-class individual and coach. He is what’s proper about this enterprise.

I am actually pleased with what we have achieved this yr to get again on this stage. These guys have been selfless each step of the best way. They have been completely a pleasure to teach.

You hate for that to be over, and I hope, as soon as the harm subsides, they will look within the mirror and perceive what they’ve achieved. Typically in sport the toughest factor to do is what you are speculated to do.

Baylor, Trey, Bello, and Kalk have been right here two years, Steven this yr. We have been preseason prime 10 two years. We have needed to carry the burden of that expectation on our shoulders for 2 straight years, and so they’ve dealt with it like champions. That is management. That is focus and understanding who we’re and staying related.

These guys, from a management standpoint, the 4 up right here and Trey, they have been unbelievable, and so they’ve been an awesome instance to the younger guys in our program. I’ve discovered so much from them, having the chance to be round them day-after-day. It is unhappy that it is over, however, man, was it enjoyable whereas it occurred.

THE MODERATOR: We’re additionally joined by Francisco Farabello.

Q. Steven, are you able to speak about their protection from brand to rim, simply how relentless it’s.

STEVEN ASHWORTH: Yeah, they seem to be a very proficient defensive staff. Within the first half, I felt like we struggled to get within the paint after which kick it out for three-point pictures and discover different methods to facilitate. I feel, as the sport went on, Kalk did an awesome job of setting excessive ball screens. We had been additionally capable of launch the strain by throwing it in to him and let him go to work.

All through the sport, I felt like we acquired it an increasing number of discovered, however they seem to be a very proficient defensive staff.

Q. Both Ryan or Baylor, please, I assume the rub with this occasion is that 67 groups are sort of going to expertise what you skilled. What is going on via your minds proper now as you attempt to encapsulate all you’ve got carried out?

RYAN KALKBRENNER: Yeah, you go into this event with excessive expectations, and also you need to make it so far as you’ll be able to. After a loss like this, the loss hurts. You wished to go additional, however you are taking a step again and have a look at the journey you’ve got been capable of go on with the staff and folks you’ve got had in your staff. It is arduous to do this proper now. The additional we get away from this sport, the an increasing number of I will recognize it as a result of it is a very, very particular group, gamers, workers, everybody concerned. It is only a particular, particular group to be part of.

Although it did not finish the best way we wished it to, we’ll look again on this yr, staff, group, and for me personally, I am simply grateful to be part of it.

BAYLOR SCHEIERMAN: Form of going off what Kalk stated, clearly upset that we misplaced. We had massive targets going into the yr, and we did not essentially accomplish every thing we got down to do. I feel clearly, like I stated, upset within the loss, however extra unhappy about the truth that I will by no means be capable of placed on this Creighton uniform once more. I will by no means be capable of play with this group of men, and I will by no means be capable of play for Coach Mac once more.

Actually what is going on via my thoughts proper now’s the fact that it is over for me. It is simply been an absolute blessing to have the option placed on this uniform and play for Coach Mac and play for these guys.

Q. Baylor or Steven, may you sort of mirror on what occurred throughout that 18-0 run that they’d early within the second half. And what does it say about you guys that you simply had been capable of minimize it to 3 however you needed to work so arduous to sort of get again?

STEVEN ASHWORTH: They got here out within the second half, a variety of vitality. We additionally ignited that fireside, I feel, with a number of errors so as to add on prime of that, that allowed them to get out in transition and get their rhythm going. It is at all times arduous to come back again from a run like that, however basketball is a sport of runs.

I feel the most important factor about this staff that I’ve simply discovered the entire yr being part of this group is that it is a staff with a variety of grit and a staff with a variety of expertise.

So to have the ability to reply that run possession by possession, we perceive there isn’t any 16-point play, so you must strategy it that approach. It was clearly thrilling and pleased with this group to battle again the best way that we did. We had been very near turning that on them, however they made some performs down the stretch to reply our run as nicely.

Q. For Bello, Mac and the fellows have talked over these final two years about how arduous your job has been to come back in from a distinct faculty and tackle a task that is not essentially star studded. How arduous was that to do when it comes to the problem of doing it day-after-day, and what has it meant to you to embrace that and attain what you guys have achieved?

FRANCISCO FARABELLO: I assume it is arduous from the arrogance standpoint as a result of it is simply the character of the position I had, however teaching workers and gamers made it approach simpler than what it ought to be, particularly as a result of we’re such an in depth group of men that each one we need to do is win and win on the highest stage. Simply having the ability to contribute to that with the issues I may convey to the desk made it so much simpler.

Q. Steven, clearly basketball is a five-on-five sport, however you and Zeigler are actual emotional guys and like to steer the road somewhat bit and commute. How a lot did you take pleasure in that matchup tonight?

STEVEN ASHWORTH: He is a really proficient participant. Actually watching his movie, it was enjoyable to study a number of issues from him and see how he defends and the way he simply does his position for his staff. It was a enjoyable expertise and environment tonight.

Simply so grateful to my household, my buddies, and Bluejay Nation for popping out the best way they did. It is what makes faculty basketball so particular as a result of you aren’t getting crowds like that anyplace else.

So it was positively enjoyable. Clearly if you’re put in place to be the purpose guard, there is a vocal management that should come via, and he does an awesome job main his staff. Clearly I take satisfaction within the capacity to hopefully talk what Coach Mac is wanting for the staff to do as nicely.

Q. You performed, I feel it was triangle and two for fairly some time. What did you see there that was efficient and allowed you to make that comeback?

GREG McDERMOTT: It is known as desperation, I feel. We went to zone for one possession when Knecht was out, and we acquired a cease. Then he got here again in, and clearly I did not really feel comfy with the potential of letting him stand.

We practiced triangle and two a good quantity in apply, we hadn’t used all of it yr. We did not have something to lose at that time. And I assumed our guys executed to perfection. It gave ourselves an opportunity to come back again and win the sport.

Clearly that 18-0 run was — we actually have not had anyone try this to us this yr. I feel it was lower than 5 minutes. It appeared like a very long time. However we’ve not needed to overcome one thing like that. We needed to pull one thing out of our hat that we hadn’t used.

Q. Mac, you’ve got talked all season about how a lot of a pleasure this group has been to teach. What is going on via your thoughts proper now that it is over?

GREG McDERMOTT: Yeah, simply glancing on the stat sheet and looking out on the names, a variety of these guys aren’t going to be again. It is robust, but it has been such an honor to teach them.

Francisco Farabello, after I hugged him after the sport coming off the ground, he apologized to me. I used to be like, actually? However that is what he is about. He is about giving every thing he can to this staff and doing every thing he can to attempt to assist us win. In that second, he is blaming himself. Clearly there isn’t any place for that.

Baylor Scheierman comes right here. He guarded 4 man occasionally within the Summit League. A number of occasions he did not guard anyone. And tonight he guards Dalton Knecht. Discuss progress and speak about understanding, after going via the Large East final yr one time, like I’ve acquired to get higher at some stuff, after which going to work and doing it. He is simply been a pleasure to teach.

Trey’s gotten higher each single yr. It has been enjoyable to look at. He is hurting proper now, however we’re not right here with out him. Or the place we had been final yr with out him or the yr earlier than that with out him.

And Kalk’s simply been the mild large. He does not just like the highlight. He simply goes to work, and he does issues that affect the sport in so some ways.

They have been an absolute pleasure to teach. Like I stated, I’ve discovered so much, and I’ve change into higher as a result of I’ve had the chance to be round him.

Q. You are definitely identified for having the ability to get guys pictures, get them open with schemes and all of the stuff you do. How arduous was that tonight?

GREG McDERMOTT: It was tougher as a result of Tennessee does a great job of upsetting your rhythm. Zeigler is such an elite on-ball defender that it upsets your timing of what you are attempting to do. As you noticed, we tried to have another guys provoke offense at occasions. Whereas they’d a man not play, that put Mashack within the sport extra, and he disrupts issues very like Zeigler does.

So he ended up on Trey to start out the sport, Zeigler on Steven, and it was arduous to actually provoke any offense.

I assumed, as soon as we settled in, we acquired some respectable pictures. We acquired it to Kalk 12 occasions down there. He missed a number of he usually makes. It is a make shot, miss shot sport. Tennessee late within the yr towards Mississippi State within the convention event did not shoot it nicely. They did not shoot it nicely towards Texas. They made pictures tonight. That is what it comes right down to.

We had been going to need to make extra three-point pictures than Tennessee to win this sport, and the truth that we nonetheless had an opportunity when these numbers had been even is a credit score to our guys.

Q. You touched on it, however how robust is it to cope with Jahmai Mashack doing the soiled work for Tennessee?

GREG McDERMOTT: He is proficient. He impacts the sport a lot by probably not scoring that a lot. He does not need to shoot. He rebounds it. He was on the receiving finish of a few of these offensive rebounds throughout that stretch. I feel we’re up 39-37. We acquired our first shot protection was fairly good, and he goes and knocks out a pair rebounds, kicks it out, they hit threes. He compelled a number of turnovers.

He is actually proficient. Rick does an awesome job of utilizing him and placing him in spots the place he may be profitable.

Q. Simply on Baylor, it appeared like he was the top of the snake on each ends of the ground, guarding a primary staff All-American, dropping 25, supplying you with guys an opportunity. What went into that efficiency, and the way particular do you assume it was, even in a loss?

GREG McDERMOTT: To exert the vitality he needed to exert to protect Knecht, it is unbelievable. Dalton wasn’t guarding him. So Baylor needed to — he had double responsibility as a result of we wanted him to be a presence offensively for us, and we wanted him to attempt to gradual him down, and he did an awesome job.

He hit one three in transition the place he acquired unfastened. He hit one on the triangle and two slicing left. And the opposite I feel he hit it on Trey alongside the baseline. Baylor did not surrender a 3 to a primary staff All-American. It was clear there have been two All-People tonight on the ground.

Q. You completed second within the Large East, Candy 16. You had three or 4 guys taking part in virtually all of the minutes all yr. Jasen Inexperienced was not obtainable for lots of it. Did this group get as a lot out of the season as they might?

GREG McDERMOTT: Sure and no. You realize, it is arduous to get up to now. It is arduous to play within the Candy 16. A number of issues need to occur through the yr. The Large East completely prepares you for every thing you are going to see.

Like down 16 to among the best defensive groups within the nation, you do not come again and provides your self an opportunity until you’ve got been battle examined. There’s such good teaching and such elite applications within the Large East that we now have the idea that we have performed towards UConn, we have performed towards Marquette, we have performed towards Windfall and Villanova and Seton Corridor, a variety of actually good basketball groups, and we will do that one step at a time.

However our guys developed because the yr’s gone on. Mason’s gotten higher. Jasen’s gotten higher. We’re enthusiastic about a number of the guys in our program, and clearly we have got to hit the recruiting path, and that is somewhat simpler than it was with the switch portal.

It has been an unbelievable four-year run that Kalk is the one man that is been a part of that each one 4 years. Our program is ready, and we’re supported by the establishment and our division in a approach that we have to proceed to achieve success.

We inform our guys to maneuver to the subsequent play on a regular basis. Whereas we’ll be upset about this loss, my workers and I are going to get to work and attempt to put collectively a bunch that may get again up to now.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports activities
_{142829-3-4096 2024-03-30 05:17:00 GMT}

NCAA Males’s Basketball Championship: Regional Semifinal – Creighton vs Tennessee

Friday, March 29, 2024

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Little Caesars Enviornment

Tennessee Volunteers

Rick Barnes

Zakai Zeigler

Jahmai Mashack

Josiah-Jordan James

Candy 16 Postgame Media Convention

 

Tennessee – 82, Creighton – 75

THE MODERATOR: We’re joined by the Tennessee Volunteers, 82-75 winners over the Creighton Blue Jays this night to advance to the Midwest closing towards Purdue on Sunday.

Out of your left to your proper, we’re joined by head coach Rick Barnes, Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack, and Josiah-Jordan James.

RICK BARNES: I actually thought each groups performed their hearts out, performed actually arduous is what you’ll count on clearly this time of yr. The stuff that Coach McDermott does together with his staff, they’re an especially, extraordinarily arduous staff to protect.

Actually pleased with the hassle defensively. Once more, they do a variety of issues which might be actually troublesome. Additionally, we made a run, and this time of yr you count on them to make a run, which they did. However actually pleased with the best way our guys stayed with one another, did what we needed to do.

Nice win for our program. These guys up right here, I simply thought they had been terrific with a mindset coming in and persevering with with it all through the sport.

Q. Josiah, simply as a senior, a man who’s been round right here for therefore lengthy, what is the private significance for you being a part of a staff going to the Elite Eight for the second time at school historical past?

JOSIAH-JORDAN JAMES: It is a blessing simply to be right here. We have put in a lot work, for me for 5 years, and each man up right here since they have been right here. They’re nice leaders. That is one of the best group I’ve ever been round.

Simply to have this second with these guys making historical past. We’re not carried out but, we all know that. We’re so completely satisfied to be one step nearer to our finish aim. It is superb to see all our arduous work lastly repay.

Q. Coach Barnes, over the previous few a long time, you’ve got coached some extremely proficient groups. Off the court docket there’s qualities that assist a staff make the run to the Elite Eight, like this staff. What concerning the character of this staff on and off the court docket make them so nice?

RICK BARNES: In case you had been with us day-after-day, I feel you’d perceive why I really like teaching a lot as a result of what you see these guys do tonight, I watch them do it day-after-day.

They’d inform you that, we do, we go at it most likely generally too arduous. They’ve embraced it. Every certainly one of these guys in their very own approach has introduced one thing to our program after we recruited them.

It is their effort. Once more, they demand it from one another. Solely the times once they’re somewhat drained, possibly I get on them, however in any other case they do a fairly good job pushing themselves and training themselves, figuring out what it takes to win at this stage.

Q. Josiah, how massive was what Jahmai gave you in all sides of the sport with out Santi?

JOSIAH-JORDAN JAMES: Jahmai is big. He is the cornerstone of this staff. The hassle he brings to the ground, it does not present up within the stat sheet on a regular basis, however we all know, the fellows within the locker room know what he brings, not many within the nation may do. These two are one of the best defenders within the nation for certain. They will guard 1 via 5. Two of the hardest guys I’ve ever been round.

What Jahmai brings, it is arduous to place into phrases, and it does not present up each night time within the stat sheet. It is one thing he is carried out his entire life, and it is gotten him up to now proper now.

Q. Jahmai, when did you discover out that you simply had been going to be inserted into the beginning lineup? Then to get this win for Santi and to offer him an opportunity to play on Sunday, what does that do for you guys, and the way vital was that?

JAHMAI MASHACK: I did not know till I feel most likely shootaround earlier at present. I sort of had a sense, however I simply wasn’t certain.

I have been raised to prosper in robust conditions, and when my identify is named to rise as much as that event. I would not be doing my job proper now as a Christian if I did not thank God for every thing that He is carried out for me individually and with this staff.

Ever since final yr, I have been preventing to attempt to get previous the Candy 16, not only for me, however for my teammates, for Coach Barnes, simply to see how a lot he places into the staff, and he does not need the publicity for it. That is one thing that I simply love about our program, about my coach and my teammates.

God has gotten me right here. God has given me the flexibility to only go into any scenario and attempt to make one of the best out of it. My entire aim on this staff is to affect successful. If which means I’ve acquired to start out, I have not began in a minute, but when which means I’ve acquired to start out and are available in and do what I’ve acquired to do, that is what I’ll do.

I am hurting. My again hurts. I am drained. Nevertheless it’s something to win, man. It is something to win. I simply love this staff, and I really like how a lot we fought and the way a lot we got here collectively in occasions of adversity via that sport. It simply exhibits how a lot our character goes into play on this event.

Q. Zakai, what was the plan of assault for the mid-range on offense tonight?

ZAKAI ZEIGLER: We knew Trey Alexander going into the sport is an excellent mid-range shooter. Good gamers, they will get the ball and get to their spots, however we have got to do no matter we do to cease them from making the shot actually.

I really feel like we went into the sport with the precise sport plan, and all people was locked in.

Q. Josiah, the second half you guys simply hit them with protection, rebounding, sort of staples of what you guys have been about. Are you able to sort of stroll via that effort you set in to take management of the sport?

JOSIAH-JORDAN JAMES: You do not rise to the event, you fall to the extent of your preparation. That is one thing, when you come to look at us, three hundred and sixty five days of the yr, these are the staples of our staff, one thing we do each day.

So on the most important stage of school basketball, we’ll fall again to our habits, and people are our habits. Defensive rebounding is one thing you’ll be able to take, whether or not you make pictures, taking part in nicely on offense, having the ability to rebound the ball and guard folks is instrumental, particularly in a event like this when pictures is probably not falling. Simply having these as our spine is big.

Q. For any of the gamers, are you able to mirror in your logo-to-rim protection that simply actually made the distinction?

JAHMAI MASHACK: I feel that is simply what we do. It is what we do. I feel it separates us as a staff as a result of guys assume that early strain goes to occur. It simply occurs with basketball. However to maintain that for so long as we do, it wears on groups. That wears on groups, belief me.

When you will have a man like Zakai pressuring the ball and attempting to get at it, and you have to fear about him stealing the ball, him tipping passes, it is arduous to run your offense. It is arduous to get into your offense. That’s one thing that may’t get replaced or — you understand, it is one thing that we’d like on the court docket.

It is nice that we strain the ball and that we’re in a position to do this, however for so long as we do it, that is what separates us from each different staff, we maintain it.

Q. Zakai, for you, you’ve got been via a lot adversity off the court docket to get to the place you might be at present. You play with a lot coronary heart. In case you may mirror on the journey that it is taken to get to the place you might be proper now, what are you able to say about that? In case you may even return and inform your self, if you had been going via adversity, one factor, what would you say?

ZAKAI ZEIGLER: I might simply say as of proper now, I might simply say God is nice. He is given me these alternatives, and I’ve simply taken as a lot benefit as I can of them.

Me and Coach G, we had a protracted discuss after I was going via the rehab course of, and he was simply saying there’s going to be darkish days, there’s going to be ups and downs. I’ve simply acquired to maintain my head down and work. I felt all through that entire time I stored doing that, and I am simply grateful to be within the place I am in at present.

Q. In case you can simply converse to the best way that 18-0 run formed the result of the sport. Since you guys had been at that time capable of give yourselves some cushion and capable of take up their comeback.

ZAKAI ZEIGLER: We simply stored telling ourselves simply to be relentless. We had been saying that earlier than the sport, simply maintain being relentless. We perceive that basketball is a sport of runs, going to be ups, going to be downs.

We went on our run, however going again to the huddle we simply stored telling ourselves, hey, we have got to remain inside the sport. Get again on protection and do what we do. I felt like we did precisely that.

THE MODERATOR: Thanks, guys. You may head again to the locker room.

We’ll proceed right here with Coach Barnes.

Q. That was an awesome sport win. What do you inform the gamers to show the web page shortly so you’ll be able to face a very robust Purdue staff in a very robust surroundings?

RICK BARNES: I wished them to take pleasure in this one. I assumed it was actually an throughout staff win. We had two freshmen that we began telling at present spend additional time within the movie room. You are going to play sooner or later in time.

I assumed Freddie had an awesome help and acquired a 3. Cam went in and acquired a possession for us and knocked down a 3. I assumed these had been enormous performs.

We performed Purdue earlier within the yr. It was a loaded discipline in Maui, Honolulu. Exhausting-fought sport, it actually was. We’ll get again at it with them.

I assumed we had been taking part in Friday, Sunday, proper? It is already Saturday, and we’re actually taking part in Saturday, Sunday. The actual fact is I simply heard we acquired the early sport.

Proper now it is a psychological prep, and we all know that. Once more, we clearly have nice respect for Purdue, and we have performed them. However they are much higher, and I would wish to assume we’re too.

Q. Tobe did not have a giant stat line, however how vital was he for you guys tonight, particularly within the second half?

RICK BARNES: I assumed Tobe and Jahmai, even — I assure after I watch the tape, a few of these tip-out rebounds Josiah acquired his hand on it. However these additional possessions are enormous, particularly there on the finish.

Large three-point play. We went to an empty ball display on the aspect. Z made the precise learn. That was a giant play for us. It was his effort getting on the glass.

I assumed, once more, each Shack and, after we switched off a number of occasions on the massive fella, they did a great job holding their floor there. Once more, Tobe has gotten higher and higher and higher. In case you actually give it some thought, he and Zakai come out of the identical AAU program. Neither certainly one of them had been extremely recruited, however they each play with a variety of coronary heart. We’re simply blessed and lucky to have them.

Q. You hear Jahmai say that we have been working all yr to get previous the Candy 16, and having not been previous this level with Tennessee but, do you are taking a second to take a seat and revel in this and see what this staff is able to?

RICK BARNES: I am unsure I will be capable of do it till we’re completed. A yr in the past we felt we had a very good staff, a staff that would do some harm. I am as pleased with that staff a yr in the past as a result of, when Zakai went down, we needed to completely remake ourselves.

I am unsure Shack has began since — he was our start line guard as soon as Zakai went down. We acquired to the Candy 16, and from the time they got here again, they’ve talked about it that they wished to get higher, wished to go additional.

They are a shut knit group of men. I actually felt like within the final — after the SEC Event, they’ve carried out simply an unbelievable job of getting after one another and holding one another to the next stage, larger commonplace. I do my — I feel I do my job getting after them, but it surely’s a complete lot simpler once they begin getting at one another.

It occurred the opposite night time within the sport. The place Dalton was struggling somewhat bit, and so they snapped at him to snap him out of it a bit, and so they talked to him. Whenever you get groups that care that a lot and may take teaching from one another, that is a great factor. I can inform you, that is the place the loss within the SEC Event helped us.

Q. Dalton at first of the that second half, he had like six factors, 4 assists. Creighton known as two timeouts. Are you able to mirror on his play particularly throughout that stretch?

RICK BARNES: Once more, I assumed tonight he did extra. He was attempting to rebound the ball. I assumed he actually acquired again to — I assumed he was actually engaged defensively. Not simply considering I’ve acquired to attain, rating, rating. When he will get that look and he is going with it — I truly instructed him, if you’re in a ball display, they’re coming, you are going to need to let Z have some pictures at it, and Z made a few them.

However he is extremely aggressive. When he will get out — our protection broke that sport open early for us. We acquired deflections and acquired out and ran.

You have a look at them, and so they’re such a wonderful place basketball staff defensively. They do not foul, as a lot as I used to be asking them to be known as. They do an awesome job at poking on the ball.

However throughout that stretch, he acquired it going. Clearly our guys have seen it once they try this, they will attempt to play to him.

Q. You talked about that three-point play close to the tip of the sport, slightly below two minutes left. You guys did not appear to have any concern of Kalkbrenner and his dimension. Is that one thing that was a part of the sport plan to go proper after him? You blocked him a pair occasions on the defensive finish. I do know it is clearly early, however do you assume that can carry over to the Purdue matchup with Edey?

RICK BARNES: Each staff is totally different, and will probably be a distinct one thing, once more, as soon as we return and begin digging into it.

We labored actually arduous on drop protection, the place they drop it, as a result of we knew we had been going to get pictures, and we needed to resolve, did we need to pull up behind and shoot the three? Did we need to get inside? All I ask them to do, when you’re open behind a display, we anticipated these two guys to shoot it, Zakai and Dalton.

If not, I stated get contained in the 15-foot space to interact them, and from there you have to make the precise determination, whether or not it is a floater or no matter it’s, you have to shoot it with confidence. Then Tobe acquired a pair the place we stated the submit man’s acquired to get to the rim.

Then defensively, we weren’t going to double-team him. I assumed they had been rather well ready at the beginning of the sport. We wished to attempt to get after them. Very first play of the sport, and we had talked about doubling the ball, and so they got here off us, growth, growth, growth, and so they had been so good at it. We’re not going to have the ability to try this.

We adjusted to it, and so they’re so arduous to protect as a result of Greg is such an awesome basketball coach, and he places them in place. We additionally wished tempo. We wished a high-tempo sport we felt, as a result of they’d been taking part in a variety of guys 40 minutes, and we did, we wished to attempt to early rise up and down the ground and get it right into a high-possession sport.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports activities
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