University of Connecticut Athletics
Men's Basketball Speaks About Reaching the Final Four
3/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 30, 2009
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut men's basketball team spoke with the media on Monday afternoon after practice to discuss the team's Final Four game against Michigan State on Saturday. All four head coaches spoke with national media via a teleconference as well. Fans can find the transcripts of all the Final Four media below.
A.J. Price
What are your thoughts on Michigan State?
"They have a good team. They beat a very good team in Louisville. We know it's going to be a tough game. They play tough man-to-man defense and they run their offense pretty well."
What are the differences between the 2005-2006 team and this team? Is this team more focused?
"I think so. I think there are a lot of differences in focus. I actually think they were a better team than we are as far as personnel wise, but I think this team is more focused. We understand what we need to do. We've made it further than them. They probably had a lot of other agendas going on with so many pros on that team and so many guys who were thinking about going pro. I think our mindset - we're in a much better place than they were."
Have you talked to Jerome Dyson and how does he feel about not being able to play?
"I haven't spoken too much [to him] about it. He's just been a great teammate, just being around and being vocal. He's at practice and giving everything he can from the bench during games. You know, I've been there before even though it was only one game. I kind of know the mind set he's going through. I felt what he's feeling right now."
During the 2005-2006 season you were out with an injury. Can you relate to what Jerome is going through?
"Yeah, definitely. I didn't play on the team but I still felt like I was a part of that team. I think the guys on that team felt like I was part of that team because I knew those guys. I came in and those were my friends. I was able to watch them go through the Tournament. It is very difficult not to be out there and seeing the guys battling, trying to do something special, and having the opportunity to play for a championship. It's a very difficult transition, but I think he's handling it and doing a great job just by being vocal and letting everybody know that he's still there with them."
Junior Hasheem Thabeet
On Goran Suton and is he a tough matchup for you:
"Not really - I've played guys who can play like him. I think he averages like seven or eight points a game and I'll try to keep him to that. I'll try to play as hard as I can and if we're really good on the team defense, that's going to be the key. If we go out there and play good defense, we should be able to take care of the game. Every time we go out there and play good defense, we ended up winning the game."
Has the excitement of the Final Four wore off yet?
"I'm still excited. It's everybody's dream - all the American kids dream. I never had a dream that one day I'd being playing in it and I got a chance. Now, I'll go out there and play and show how we got here. We're a good team and we're looking forward to a good matchup against them and hopefully we'll get the win."
Why has this team been able to respond to adversity so well?
"We stay focused. We have a lot of guys that know what we need to do to win the game. We work hard all the time and we have a great teacher in Coach Calhoun. We call him teacher. He's taught us a lot. When you watch us practice, it's always hard and we used to hate it, but now we know why the practice was hard. He's prepared us so well for this postseason play and all we can do right now is thank him. Our guys, you know every time we step through the lines, we work hard. We're not worrying about any distractions. We can take care of basketball but the other stuff we don't have the power to take care of. All we have to do is come out and play ball."
Senior Craig Austrie
How long do you guys wait in practice before preparing for your next game against Michigan State?
"We get right into it. We know what [Michigan State] is about. We all watched them on TV and we're eager to get on the court."
Have you been getting a lot of ticket requests and family and such?
"Yeah, definitely. Everybody's asking for tickets. They want to come to Detroit. It's a big event. It's definitely going to be one of the most special times in my life."
Has Coach talked about how to deal with those outside distractions?
"No, we handle that by ourselves. Everybody's done a good job of staying composed and we'll just take it from there."
How has this team been able to overcome so much adversity this season and what is different about this team than the 2005-2006 team?
"We just concentrate on basketball. We just concentrate on basketball. The difference between the '06 team and this team is we're all focused. We have one goal and that's to win the National Championship."
Freshman Kemba Walker
Have you got a bunch of ticket requests for the Final Four?
"Oh yeah, everybody from the neighborhood actually called me up asked for tickets. I only get six and my family comes first and my whole family is making plans to go."
When did it finally hit you that you're going to the Final Four?
"Right away. You know, right away it hit me. It's a tremendous feeling. The seniors that have been here you know, those guys haven't really had the best experience in the postseason, but I'm happy for those guys."
What is the top moment from any Final Four's that stands out in your mind?
"I can't really think that far back, but I remember last year when Kansas won and Mario Chalmers hit that big three pointer. That was a really, really big shot."
Has the team thought about having to play this game in Michigan State's backyard?
"Well, Coach said after practice today, he told us that we're a good road team. We have one loss on the road so it's not really that big of a deal. Our fans are going to travel so it's not that big of a deal."
What impresses you the most about Michigan State?
"Just how hard they play. They play extremely hard, especially on the defensive end. That's what definitely stands out about them."
CONNECTICUTHEAD COACH Jim Calhoun
DAVID WORLOCK: We're excited to host all four teams this coming weekend. And what surely shapes up to be a great Final Four. We'll jump right into questions and answers as each coach has only 20 minutes. We thank them all for their time today. We'll begin this afternoon's call with Coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies, the champions of the West Regional.
Q. I just wanted to ask you, we cover Villanova here, and it's Jay Wright's first time. All the other three coaches, including yourself, have won the championship and have been to many Final Fours. As a coach, getting to the Final Four, what's that mean to your career, and of course, winning the championship, what's that mean in defining a coach's career?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: You know, I think Jay has always defined his career a long time before this. I think, obviously the incredible resurgence going back to the days when Steve Lappas was there and Rollie Massimino. But no question that Jay's put his own Mark on it, and this is a special, special, just a special time for his kids, for Villanova University.
Jay and I have talked and I know he's incredibly excited as I am. This doesn't get old by the way, I can tell you that much right now.
But no question, I do think that people rightly or wrongly, postseason play has become the ultimate judgment of maybe success and failure eventually in this business. And Jay certainly has succeeded now in an incredible win over Pittsburgh. He'll be looked at a little bit differently now, no question, as well he should be. But he's a terrific basketball coach. Villanova did a wonderful job of beating a great, great Pittsburgh team.
Q. Can you just talk about the idea that you guys are actually going to be kind of a visiting team here, and you know, 72000 Michigan State, not all of them, obviously, but a lot of Michigan State fans and how you deal with that with your team?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: Yeah, I really don't see us being -- we'll have the white uniforms on. That's as close we'll get to being a home team, I think. But bottom line is that clearly when you talk about 72,000, I'm sure there will be 50 or 60,000 Michigan State fans there, as well there would be if we were playing up here.
We were a very good road team this year, and we're going to have to be. We played a places like Louisville and West Virginia, et cetera, it's going to be a lot different. The stakes are different, certainly. But it's an away game for us. We clearly understand that.
But once they get the game, and the hoops are ten feet high, foul line 15 feet, the ball's round, and we're going to play basketball five-on-five. We've just got to play.
We've lost to Pittsburgh on the road, and we lost in the Big East Tournament in six overtime games to Syracuse. Otherwise I think we're around 17, 18-2. So we're good on the road this year. And we're going to have to be very, very good to beat an awfully, awfully good Michigan State team.
But there's no doubt about it, I'm very aware fortunate fact that there will be a little bit of noise for the guys in green. No question. Just the fact of life that we have faith, and it's a basketball game. I'm treating it like a road game, to be quite honest with you.
Q. I was wondering if you could talk to me. I'm doing a story about teams that blow everybody out, basically, on this are way to the Final Four. In 2004, you guys had beaten everybody by at least 16 points when you you got to the Final Four you won it that year. What are some of the pros and the cons, the positives and the negatives of doing it that way?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: Well, we had the best team in the country. We had Emeka Okafor. The only games we lost that year were without Emeka. But, the pros certainly is how you feel good about yourself, you feel very confident. The cons are we almost lost.
We trailed Duke in the semifinal as by, I believe, 7 points or 9 points with 7 minutes to go. I'm sorry, 4 minutes to go. So we got into a game and all of a sudden hadn't been there in quite a while. We were very fortunate to pull out a win by I think four points.
So my point being that is the con. The con is you think that's the NCAA Tournament. And that was not the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Tournament was much more like the Duke game. We had to battle for everything to get to Monday night. No question. So it's pro.
We feel much better as a team, forget the margin of victory that we have. But we feel better because we've won four straight games. Conversely, we've been in a lots of games with Missouri and Purdue has been much tougher, and we've had to battle to get the wins. So, point being, I think we're prepared for Michigan State that it's going to be an incredibly difficult game.
If given my druthers, I'd rather come in having both experiences. Feeling good about ourselves by beating Texas A&M. And feeling very comfortable about the way we've played and having gotten a couple of games out particularly against Missouri in the final eight game.
Q. Can you talk about Kemba Walker's development this year, and especially how he played this last game. And did you think he would be this advanced at this point in his freshman year?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: He was the MVP of the 18 and under team, National Team last year, which he came in second. We knew how he was, he was a McDonald's All American. Until he came here, he really wasn't that quick. It was me teaching him my speed. No. He was right in the bottle, and I said it a long time ago that he's a one-man fast break. He really, really is.
He's probably the quickest point guard I've ever had, and he's got to be one of the quickest guards in America, certainly.
He is a one man fast break. He makes us run. So his development has been great. Obviously, we desperately needed him against Missouri, he came through, and was able to break their pressure. They have terrific pressure.
And did I expect a freshman to act like a senior as he did the other day? No. But I keep telling him he's no longer a freshman. He's one of the best players we have.
Q. His high school Coach Mo hicks said you were recruiting Brandon Jennings at the same time. Was there a certain point you decided to focus on Kemba as on opposed to Brandon?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: Yeah, no question. We felt Kemba was the kind of guy that could lead our team. We felt he was perfect for UCONN in the way we wanted to play. And he became the perfect guy. Obviously, Brandon was a terrific, terrific player. But it was our choice to try to go after Kemba, and I would have had no idea what Brandon would have done. I know what he did. But bottom line is we wanted Kemba.
Q. I wanted to check with you on an update on Thabeet's finger. How's that looking for him this week?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: It's on his offhand, but he blocks a lot of shots with that inside hand. It was self-induced. He fell on it going for a loose ball, and kind of got a pretty good sized contusion there. But I don't think by game time it should affect him. Might affect him the first couple of days of practice.
We're also thinking of keeping Jeff Adrien out today because of tendinitis. He had a pretty good bang on Saturday. But beyond that, we appear to be pretty healthy.
Q. A follow-up you guys were able to play two different games out here against Purdue, and then obviously against Mizzou. I'm just wondering. I don't know if you got this question earlier, but how much does that help your team when you get to a Final Four, too. Just being able to play different styles, up-tempo, slow-tempo, that sort of thing?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: You cannot win, I don't believe, and we've been fortunate to win a couple of National Championships. Without being a multi distance team. I don't think a team that purely presses or purely runs. Carolina can run like crazy and half-court defense you, too. They can run great offense off the court. Same for Villanova. They can trap you, press you, they can spread you offensively and play a half-court game.
And Michigan State plays as good a hard court game right now with Morgan back healthy as anybody in the country.
We think we can go with Stanley Robinson at 6'9" at the four spot and play small. We can certainly go big. So you have to be able to play in different ways and try to win it. I don't think a one-dimensional team, because if it gets stopped, that is the end of the line, you can't readjust. So every team has to be able to show, get inside itself. And I think the multi dimensional teams have a much better chance of winning the National Championship.
Q. How different is this Final Four than the first two you had in terms of what you expected and your personal satisfaction of being here again?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: The first one was so emotional because we had four or five final eights, and Christian Laettner buzzer beater, et cetera. We just didn't get there. We got there after an emotional game against Gonzaga. It was pure emotion. I was wiped out for a full day afterwards because of the drama of it.
But the 2004, with the bad back of Emeka, it was back and forth, back and forth. He gets healthy, we get here, and I feel we're going to win, and we almost got beaten by Duke in the semifinals. Nevertheless, we were the best team in the done he tree. It was a great deal of satisfaction.
I almost felt more pressure on my self because I felt we had the best team. And the best team should win, and it turns out we did. This one is really personal, because this group was 17-14 two years ago. Has come through with a couple of additions, Kemba and so on, and is now playing just terrific basketball. Adjusting from the loss of two of our three best players in Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson, and A.J. Price, and Jeff, and Craig Austrie, all those guys have stepped up.
So many ways it's been the most difficult road to get there. As a matter of fact, it has been the most difficult road to get there as far as all things put together. So it has a special, special place. I love these kids. I'm so happy that we can go to Detroit together. I didn't want alone.
Q. What did you learn from the first two? What experience does any coach take from going through one and two and then the third one?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: Trying to find that great Niche between having the kids enjoy the tournament, trying to get into the Jim, when you have fans there early, and taking them out to eat, and doing the things that recognize just what a great season you've had. And somewhere Thursday, late Thursday, start to turn into getting ready in game mode.
I just think that's what you need. To balance between enjoying, the accomplishment of getting there. Enjoying the fanfare, which is what the Final Four is all about. But then turning in to trying to win two basketball games. That is the best advice I could give anybody. I want my kids to enjoy it. I really, really do, and I think they will.
Then, try to win two basketball games. I think that's what all of us going in there feel that way. We want to win two basketball games.
Q. I'm not sure what might have happened after the TV cameras went off. But am I correct in saying when you left the floor did you not cut down the nets?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: We did not cut down the nets. We didn't do that in 2004, either. We felt we could buy a couple of nets if we want to. And we have a trophy from the Western Champion. But the ultimate goal for all teams.
First time we did it in '99 because it was so special. It was the university's trip to the Final Four. Not that we're making this a habit. I don't think three times say habit. I'd like it to be a habit. Nevertheless, in '04 the decision was made not to do it, and we kept with that tradition. We had bigger fish to fry. And the nets we want to cut down are the nets on Monday.
Q. You brought up the idea that this group is 17-14. While you don't want to have that happen, the concept of that to this all four coaches were expressing how much they liked their teams that they were with this year going to Detroit. Is it something that you can express that lay people understand?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: You feel it more than you can express it. I can be worried but not say anything. But point being, this one I feel. Just what they've been through, what Jerome had done. The day we found out after the Syracuse game we thought it was a contusion, instead was a meniscus, we were really down. Then we got beaten by Pittsburgh in that six overtime game. We had a tough loss, and everybody else Jerome wasn't here.
That wasn't the issue. We need to be not the same team, but as good a team. And I think we're as good a team as we were when we had Jerome. But we are different. Stanley is taking a different role. A.J. is taking more shots. Lot of things have changed.
Most importantly, these kids stayed with it. And that is the thing that's made it really, really special. They stayed with a situation that was very, very difficult. They've stayed incredibly focused.
I thought our 2006 team was very talented. Six future NBA players. They were great kids, right on the cusp. Lost in an overtime game. But this team is more focused. Maybe because of that 17-14 team. They've climbed a hill. Lost in the first round last year at the NCAA Tournament. So it's been a great hill to climb.
Then to have Jerome go down, this team ultimately stuck in it. Now they've got a place in UCONN history, which is what I wanted them to have.
Q. In your game preparation what have you noticed in Goran Suton that's led to his development this year, and his solid play in the tournament so far? And what is the best way to deal with a big man like him who has some range?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: We play against Harangody, Luke Harangody, a terrific player from Notre Dame. He does not go outside as much as Suton does. But nevertheless, he's a similar type player. He just becomes a terrific, terrific basketball player. I think for Suton he's always been a great player. Tommy is the only guy who can't rebound because of his size. But everybody else can really, really rebound.
You know, he's a good post player. But he's extended his game now to make him and incredible high post player. He puts pressure on you. He'll make threes. I mean, he will fish you up if you can't follow him. He shoots 85%.
And Thabeet they beat the Louisville team, we know how good they are, coming out of our league, he was special. He wasn't just good the other day. That first half he in in my opinion determined and set-up the whole game because he was so special.
Q. Your respect for Tom Izzo has been well noted over-the-air past couple of years. What's it mean for you to be able to coach against him on this big stage?
CONNECTICUT HEAD COACH Jim Calhoun: I just got an invitation for Coaches Versus Cancer on Friday night. I don't know that we're going to make that on either one of us. But point being he's a terrific coach. We've spent a lot of time talking on the phone a couple times this year. He's one of the best coaches in America, and best people in America.
What he's done at Michigan State after Judd winning a National Championship there in '79. I couldn't have more respect for him. And I consider him a dear friend.
So, you know, it's always great that he's there and I'm there, sometimes you don't like to be playing against someone you have so much admiration and respect for. But the idea is they're both there. We'll go at it again, and I guess the only faults would be if we beat him, I think he'll be upset, but could take it a little more. And I would probably feel the same way.
But neither one of us want to be beaten by the other one. We both care and respect each other too much to want to lose to the other guy.
DAVID WORLOCK: Thank you, Coach Calhoun. Safe travels, and best of luck.
MICHIGAN STATE HEAD COACH TOM IZZO
Q. Coach, it looked like maybe it was as emotional as you've ever been after in and around the basketball game. What was that the other night that maybe struck you a little bit differently?
COACH IZZO: It kind of was. I think this year for this team we've had a lot of things to go through with the injuries and illnesses that we've had. And I knew it was a big deal to Travis Walton to kind of keep our string of Final Fours alive as far as our seniors go. And maybe as important to have a tournament in your home state. That doesn't get you any wins or get you any more fans most of the time because of the way the tickets are. This thing is really a national tournament now.
But the opportunity to play in our state especially with some of the struggles we've gone through this past year, I guess I felt a little bit like hopefully we can be, you know, the sun shining through some pretty cloudy areas.
Q. The good news is you get to play in Detroit. The bad news is you're playing a team that's lost one road game all year. Can you talk about what you think makes UCONN such a tough opponent on the road and the focus this team seems to have despite what's swirling around the program?
COACH IZZO: You know, '99 we played them for the first time. That was the year we both got to the Final Four and they won it. And I realized then from when we played them out there to watching them in that Final Four, you know, Jim does a great job. He has toughness within his players. He finds those blue-collared guys.
I mean, I've been amazed over-the-air years the number of great players he's had that maybe weren't rated that high coming out. That means the development is incredible. But I think their toughness, and that's why they win on on the road of the they have mental and physical toughness, and a guy with incredible size.
But you look at price, he's playing better. And I think they just got the combination of good players, good size. Good shooters and a very good coach.
Q. Hasheem Thabeet, you made reference to him yesterday. Is he one of those once-in-a-blue-moon kind of centers? And how do you counter him? He and Goran Suton are just worlds apart with their strengths, I think.
COACH IZZO: I think there is some truth to that. I can't sit here and tell you I know how I counter him because I just started watching a lot of film. I watched Connecticut play a lot this year. But when you watch him as a fan, you don't watch him the same way you do as a coach or an opponent.
I'm trying to look at some teams that are playing smaller guys on him. Everybody's playing a smaller guy on him. Because nobody's got anybody near that size. But at the same time, you know, you're trying to get a feel for him, because sometimes he just does some things that are incredible for his size of the of.
You know, I can't say we'll even know until we get there. But at the same time I agree with Matt Painter. I heard his interview after the game. He said he's a hard guy to prepare for. It's a hard guy to simulate in practice, and that their strength and speed, they're athletes.
That's probably going to be true. I think the only plus we've had is playing a team that's not as big, but very athletic. A USC team who is very athletic. And Kansas had, you know, a player that, not as big, but a very good post player.
You know, it gives us some feel for it, but I don't think it will be determined until we get to the game.
Q. Talking about Big Ten unity as you've done all along. Is it possible that you've talked to John Beilein down the road about his game plan against Connecticut, and given some ideas about how he was able to come so close to beating them?
COACH IZZO: Well, I'm talking to a few Big Ten guys, sure. I'm going to give John a call, give Matt a call, and anybody else I can call to try to figure out how you can do that. I don't think there's any question that the Big East has been so good. And I know those guys stick together.
So hopefully I'll be able to get a little help from our Big Ten counterparts that have played them. And I think I will. I'll do that after I get out at least a little feel for myself for them so I know what they're talking about when I talked to them.
Q. Jim Calhoun just referred to you as a dear friend. Said he talks to you a lot during the season by phone. How would you characterize your friendship and relationship with Jim?
COACH IZZO: You know, I remember calling him back when we played him. I was so impressed. We had a good team. They were only sophomores, I think. And just went out there and we played pretty good the first half, and then they just took it to us in the second half.
You know, I've always appreciated guys that I think are demanding, are holding people accountable, and his team has played tough. I've always during the year a couple times he'll call me. I just look at it as I love the way his teams play. And I love the way he's developed players.
I mean there are so many of those guys who say God, where did he come from, you know? Didn't seem like he was on everybody's All American list, and he wasn't. He was just a player. He's a very good judge of talent, I think.
So all coaches in my kind of world, I try to learn from all of them. And he's one that's been successful. He's been to Final Fours. He's won championships in a very tough league. And he's done it over time. He's been consistent. I guess that's why I appreciate him.
I kind of like the fact, too, that he tells it like it is. He builds up his players. He'll also tell you if his player isn't playing good. And I kind of appreciate that.
Q. As you look back on on your head coaching career back there, how pivotal was it for you to have the succession and place from Judd in the mid '90s?
COACH IZZO: Well, Judd coached everything to me. I've learned from a lot of coaches. I've been in the league with Bobby Knight, and Gene Keady, and so many good coaches here. Back when I was an assistant in my early years as a Head Coach.
But nobody had the impact that Judd had on me. I learned so many things from him. And maybe some of the best are important this week: Dealing with the media, how to handle them, understand and respecting that everybody's got a job to do.
But probably most of all the work ethic he always had. And the fact that he never asked me as an assistant to do anything more than he would do as the Head Coach. I still try to be a Head Coach that acts like an assistant. I still try to treat my assistants like he treated me. That's why I've had some guys move on. I appreciate what they can do.
So Judd has meant the world to Michigan State basketball. But he's even meant more to me, because if not for him, I definitely wouldn't have been the Head Coach at Michigan State.
Q. I think a lot of people projected that by March you might have a case of momentum going here as you've got people healthy. You've got ray mar finally over illness. Picked up a little steam, that kind of thing. Has that been the script? Not on to say that you played with any degree of imperfection, but do you finally see the cylinders clicking on all fronts?
COACH IZZO: I heard an interview with Jay Wright from Villanova the other day. He said it sounds crazy, but I think my team's getting better at the end of the year. I laughed because as you just stated, I've been saying that for a while.
And as I say that, Raymar struggled a little bit in the last couple of games. He's just a little worn out from the long season after the two surgeries and all the rehab. It's been incredible what he's gone through. But he struggled a little bit lately. And now Raymar breaks his nose. And after coming back and playing pretty well in some games, he struggled a little bit lately. But I still know how good he is. And I still think he could be one of the surprise players in this tournament. I thought that last week, and it didn't happen. He had some foul trouble and the broken nose. But I still have a lot of faith in Ray.
I thought as this team got healthy, you know, and we had a chance to be beat a very good team. In some ways we're getting even better than thought, and I still think we have room to improve. It's too bad we're running out of time. But what a better time to improve at the end of the year.
Q. I know that you've been asked this by other members of the media, but as this particular journey been for you anymore gratifying than the earlier four?
COACH IZZO: I'm not sure there's ever one that's more gratifying than the first. Because you know, anything that happens for the first time, it's like your first kiss. You still remember it, right? That was gratifying.
Then to go back to a Final Four when Cleaves and Peterson could have left early, you know, that was. And the next year made it special with three.
I think in 2005 when we went back it was like can you get back after the Cleaves era. We did that. But who is kidding who, you know? There's been one or on two times in the last 35 years that a team had a chance to play in a Final Four in its home state. Especially with all the economy issues and all the things we've gone through.
We've always stated our team's a blue-collar team ever since I came here. And there's no better blue collar city than Detroit and all the things they go through.
So it was a little more special than normal. Travis Walton wanting to be not the first senior class that stayed four years and then go to the Final Four. There were a lot of story lines in that. They were all good ones. Who knows where we can take it from here, but it's been a heck of a journey, and I'm hoping we still have a couple of games left.
Q. How are you going to keep your team focused with it being played in your home state? I think back to the palace in the Flintstone era. How did you keep that team focused? Are you going to do the same thing with this team so they aren't distracted by the local friends and family and everything?
COACH IZZO: We did talk about it last night once we got back that it was going to be hard. And tickets, it sounds crazy, but I think there's a lot less tickets now than there were when we went in 2005. I don't know why, but the way it's handed out is less tickets go to each school than there used to be. That will be a problem.
But I think that's where the players' maturity has to come in. There there's no question that the Peterson era and that game down there, I wasn't worried about distractions. They had their mindset on what they wanted to accomplish. This team's a lot younger in a lot of different ways. So I'll probably deal with it more.
But I think we've had enough that we've gone through this year where they know outside distractions and injuries, and all the things that played such a part in the season. I think they understand now that they've got to be focused. Yet none of them are going to be ready for the media blitz or the things that go on in the Final Four.
I'm thinking over-the-air next couple of days they'll have the experience to go through it. I'm going to have to subtly explain how different it is, and make sure we get a lot of work done here, because once you get to Detroit Wednesday or Thursday, it gets to be a little bit of a crazy atmosphere. You've got to make sure you have your work done before you get there.
Q. You have three coaches who have won it all, and Jay Wright from Villanova is the rookie Final Four coach. Could you talk a little about what getting to the Final Four does for a coach's resume, reputation, and in a more practical sense for recruiting? And when you have one, what that means to a coach's overall sort of body of work?
COACH IZZO: Well, I think Jay has been undergo tutelage. He had Rollie for a while. And Jay has done a great job in his own right pun on words. I've always enjoyed watching his teams. They beat us up in the Alaskan Shootout early in his career. I thought he did a great job then.
As far as getting to the Final Four, the biggest advantage is the next time you get there you don't do your tickets Friday night the day before the game. You get more organized earlier in the week. And you understand how to handle all the things that go on with the Final Four week.
Does it change your resume? You know, maybe in the coach's -- other coaches minds. I don't think as a coach yourself you feel any different once you get the one you want to get to. And now you realize how much fun and exciting. And you want your players to share in that experience.
I love Jay's team this year. They play hard. I got a chance to be around them this summer when we were preparing for one of the USA teams that he coached. And Reynolds, and I got a chance to get closer to him and see him in action. And I just love how hard they play.
And the game the other night was one of the games of the era as far as two teams playing. So I think Jay will be in a few more Final Fours before his career is over. He's done an incredible job there. And he's a good guy. Sometimes it's a hard combination these days.
Q. I wondered after you played Carolina in Ford Field. Lot of people figured they'd be back this weekend because they were looking so good. But coming out of that game did you feel like your team had it in them to make it back?
COACH IZZO: I should straighten that out. Who knows if we can beat UCONN, who knows what happens. But if we have to play Carolina again, they might beat us by 30 again. But in that setting, that day to use every excuse we can. We came off our Florida trip. Played three games down there, we did not have Suton, did not have Delvon Roe much, and we didn't play good, and they played very good.
But I did not look at that game in any way, shape and form in looking at how we are. How they are, I look at it all the time, because I think they're that good. But I think we're a lot better. We were a lot better then, we just didn't play better that night for various reasons.
That is not something I'd lose sleep over every night, I can promise you that. That doesn't mean if we met again, the outcome -- they're a very talented, good, experienced, deep team. But I think we're a lot better team. When people say, How can Michigan State get to a Final Four? They lost by 30 to North Carolina. I don't look at it that way.
I mean, Wright is a great coach, a great team. But that night I remember him saying to me after you looked like you had no legs the second half. And I would have had to agree with him. It was partially because we had some injuries, partially a guy didn't play, and partially the road trip.
And maybe the most important one was they were awfully good that night and deserved everything they got. But I think we would be better and will be better if given that opportunity again.
Q. Your schedule was pretty tough in the non-conference, too. Do you feel that paid you some dividends over-the-air last couple of weeks?
COACH IZZO: I really do. What we did this year different than other years we've always played a tough schedule. This year, we had Oklahoma State, and Maryland early. And then we had North Carolina and Texas, and Kansas. That was good.
But I think we played on the road a lot more this year in the non-conference. And I think that maybe attributed to our success going 8-1 in the world in the Big Ten. So who knows. If they work for you, you say they were positive. If they work against you, you say they were negative.
But I do think we became a closer and tougher team, and we had to become a tougher team. So I'd say the way we played the last two weeks, yeah, I think it helped us some is, I really do.
Q. You've talked about Goran Suton's development. And I know he had to overcome injury this year, but what specifically did he improve upon as far as his skill set or his understanding or physicality? What was the most important part of that?
COACH IZZO: Well, it wasn't skill set and it wasn't understanding. Those are two of his biggest strengths, as far as he is a skilled player. What he improved on is his shooting and his body. He became stronger, more muscle tone. Not a great athlete as far as a leaper, but he is a great athlete as far as timing and things like that.
But he really improved his shooting this summer. I think he fell in love with the game, finally. It took a while, but he did. He worked so hard on it.
When he had the knee problems at the end of August and most of September and he came back a little bit. Then it went out again in early November, that was hard because he kind of lost our whole preseason. Not only to games, but his conditioning. And they had to reinvent the shot that he had worked so hard to develop.
But to his credit, he's kept working on it. He has a great understanding of the game and has improved his shooting. I think that's why he's a better player.
Q. What did he change as far as his shot?
COACH IZZO: Well, he spent time on it. It wasn't broken, it wasn't like it was some shot that had to be redesigned. It's just again falling in love with the game, means you spend hours on your shooting. And we've had guys here that did that.
Jason Richardson used to wear out the shooting machines. And Goran improved a lot. He lost some of it when he was out for those six to eight weeks, more or less.
Q. Seasons and teams will develop an identity over the course of said season. And obviously there is a psychological part knowing when to pat them on the back and kick them in the rear end. Have you noticed that in the end you assess teams and say this is sort of what they were. And was this year's team more pat or more kicking?
COACH IZZO: That's interesting. Usually by this time of the year you have a good feel about your team. It was the end of February, and I was still trying to find my team. And I think that was because of the different major injuries to three different guys.
And they were all guys that were in my starting group, so, you know, I think for the most part there was a little more patting on the back. They probably wouldn't agree with that. And I say that because we were young and I said a million times, I little more fragile. We had key people out with Suton and Roe, and, of course, Raymar Morgan late in the season. Yet it's been a team that's developed better leadership skills.
I've always stated that a player-coached team is better than a coach-coached team. And I think Walton did a great job. We started getting more from Suton, and from Lucas, and I think that really made it a lot easier for a coach.
And I think everybody would agree when you look at this Final Four, there are some veterans on every team, you look at Carolina who has not only veterans, but a little like we had when Cleaves and Peterson was here. Guys could come out early, came back to win a championship, and that's what you've got to appreciate about those guys. They gave up something to win a championship. Now they have a chance to do it. And so that's pretty neat when that happens.
DAVID WORLOCK: Thank you, coach Izzo.
NORTH CAROLINAHEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS
Q. From the time I guess it was last Thursday when you were talking about asking Ty the questions about a scale of 1 to 10 where he was. Were you concerned Friday going into the game about how strong he was physically, and what do you think transpired to make him play as close to 100% as we've seen in a while?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: I think Thursday I was more than concerned. That's when I told you that 6 to 6 evaluation on a scale of 1 to 10. Looking back on it, I think the travel, when you get on an airplane. My feet swell, my hands swell, everything. So I think that happen something to do with it.
And the fact that the Thursday schedule was so crowded with all the trying to practice, and all the media responsibilities. You're tied up for like six straight hours that we were not able to allow the toe to heal anymore or to get back to where it was before the flight.
I think looking back on it, that was the biggest problem.
Once we got him back in the pool and he was able to do things there, in his mind, which could be part of it, too. But in his mind the pool is the best thing for him right now, and it relieves more of the pressure than anything else.
So after we got him back there and a little more consistent basis Thursday night and during the day on Friday since we played a fairly late game Friday, that helped it as well. So we were able to do that again Saturday.
I'm concerned about the flight up there if It's going to do the same thing. It was a little more tender last night after we came back here. But hopefully with the time in the pool and the extra time he'll still be fine.
Q. Tom Izzo said maybe your team reminds him of one of his teams where guys came back to school to win a championship. Do you feel like you've had this fortune kind of happen to you twice? In 2005, it was the same thing. Guys could have left and didn't?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: Well, I would probably agree and disagree. 2005, nobody was even thinking about going. It's got to be a two-way street. Nobody on the NBA side said they should leave. They didn't have the testing of the waters kind of thing.
But after my first I can't remember here, we had two-minute discussions with two guys and it was over with. That's all we did. So there was no coming back to school in 2005. I remember at the press conference in Denver where we lost, an NBA coach heard one of the questions did I expect hem them to come back. And the NBA coach said why would they think about that? Who would want them.
We had to play better. We had gone 19-11, and 19-17 the year before. There's no comparison there at all. The second part of it, and I can understand what Tommy is saying. There is no question that was a factor. But it was not the biggest factor. It sounds good cute and makes for a good story. So people are going to write what they want to write.
If Ty had someone who told them he would have gone in the top 15 picks, he would have gone. If Danny and Wayne had been convinced they would be first round picks, they would have gone. They were not convinced of that. Ty was not convinced. And we had no one come forward to say he was going to be their pick, so they had a great option. That great option was to come back and win as many games as they could possibly win and have another chance.
So after the decision was made for those personal reasons, they did collectively embrace the idea of, hey, we've gotten to the Final Four and didn't play very well last year. Let's see if we can do better this year.
But, again, that is the facts of the matter. Some of the questions at the press conference sort of get turned around. And as all of you guys know. Sometimes your questions are phrased the way you want them to be answered. And the kids answer them that way.
Q. Could you address the improvements you guys have had defensively? In what ways are you playing well defensively? And can you share with me any of the fun stuff with the Guitar Hero filming there?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: I think from the first day I've tried to push this team to concentrate and to invest in it on the defensive end of the floor. And I think we have over-the-air year. We've had times we didn't play as well, and didn't have that sense of urgency.
But we've had some games where at big moments we've really stepped up. So that, itself, has given the coaching staff and players some confidence that they could do it. So the next push was to try to get them to do it consistently. And over the course of the last month we've had some good moments defensively.
So it's been a sales job on my part, the team's part from one individual to the next, understanding how important it is. They're buying into it more each and every day, and seeing what it can do for us. And we have gotten better over the year. And you would think after 90-something practices, you should be getting better. And we're going to get better on it as we practice this week.
The Guitar Hero, it was fun. It was frustrating, because I didn't feel like I was doing exactly what they wanted to do. It probably would have been more fun if all four coaches had been there at the same time as opposed to each of us doing our part individually.
But if you had all four of us there at the same time, it would have probably taken 30 days to do a 20-second commercial, because it would have been so hard to get all of us to do exactly the right thing at one time.
Q. Following up on that point -- so you were just basically on -- when did you do the filming of that?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: I was trying to figure out what point. I thought we were still talking about our defense, Roger.
Q. Sorry about that?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: That's all right. Oh, gosh, it was two or three weeks ago. I know probably a little longer than that. It was three or four weeks ago. I know that I was the first one there at the studio for about two and a half hours, and about an hour after I left, Rick was coming in. And then I think Mike and Coach Knight did theirs the next day.
I think they had everybody in in the two-day period. But I don't know about Mike and Coach Knight. Their paths may have crossed. But I was done and out before Rick got there.
Q. Where'd you have to go?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: It was easy for two of us because they did it over in Raleigh.
Q. Jay is the only Final Four rookie in the group here. Talk a little bit about what it does for a coach reputation wise and recruiting wise to call himself a Final Four coach and National Championship coach? And the second part would be an overall assessment of how their team plays and what do you see as a reflection of Jay and what you see in Nova in general?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: Okay, the first part when you first started the question about the Final Four. I thought Jay's also the only one that is undefeated at the Final Four. And I remembered that Jimmy is, too, he's been twice and won the whole thing both times.
Tommy and I, I lead us in losses at the Final Four. We've been there a couple more times but have more losses. There is no question in my mind that it does something for you. I can't put a finger on it and say legitimize. Because there are too many great coaches that have never gone to a Final Four.
I don't want to say it puts you at a different level, because some of those great coaches that have never been to the Final Four are still as high as you can possibly be.
But in saying all that, to the public, to the fans, to the recruits, there is a specialness about this time because of the attention is so big at the final Final Four. I went as an assistant in '82 and we won the National Championship, and I didn't go back until '91 as a Head Coach. And it was amazing how much bigger it had gotten in those nine years. The media attention, the fan attention. It was mind boggling how much bigger it got in my opinion.
My vocabulary's not good enough to put it. It's not legitimacy, because I think that downgrades some great coaches that have not been there. But there is definitely a different stamp of approval. Whether or not the one about winning it, I made the statement and I just copied it from Coach Smith in '82.
I made the statement that I wasn't that much better of a coach three hours later before I was before the start of that game. Yet the people do perceive you a little differently. It's weird. There's no question when you sit back and think about it.
It's a fact. I go through the airport the first two years after, and maybe even still now and people are -- more people are g yelling at me than before 2005. And they're saying good things. So there is something to it. Jay has done a wonderful job. I don't know him too well, but I've really enjoyed him.
Larry Brown spent a whole year going to his practices all the time. And I know Larry very well, so hearing about Jay's practices, talking to Jay about Larry being at practices. We get a laugh out of that. He's really one of the good guys in coaching.
I feel very fortunate, I think I've got a lot of friends in coaching. Jimmy Calhoun and I play golf together. Tom and I enjoy each other's company. And his wife, Lupe, and my wife, Wanda, really enjoy each other. And Jay being the youngest and best looking of the crowd, there is no question that he's a guy that I do enjoy the times that I've been around him.
His team, I think you could make the case for the fact that his team is playing better than anybody right now. Just what they did to UCLA, and to Pitt and Duke, it's hard to imagine anybody playing any better than they are right now.
I have not had a chance. We returned home last night and got here to the Smith center at about 12:30. So I did not go home and start breaking down tape. I went home and got some cookies and some milk and sat on my rear end for a little while and went to bed.
But we'll start looking at it more today. About you just from a distance, while your own team is playing, you don't have time to sit there and study somebody else.
One of my assistants has been in charge of Villanova for the past week, and I'll get more information from him.
Q. As Tyler heads into his last one or two game, I was wondering from your vantage point, will his imprint transcend North Carolina? Does he live an imprint, do you think, on the college game? He seems maybe like a Battier was a number of years ago. To have been kind of the quintessential college player.
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: I think you're right. I think he will have an impact. I've said all year long from last June to today that every college coach in America should want Tyler Hansbrough to have a great year. So people or agents or runners or somebody won't say well, you better jump out while it's hot. You never can tell what's going to happen.
This kid chose to come back to college because he loved college basketball, loved college life. He's done very well. The NBA has not folded. He'll still be a number one NBA draft choice. Every coach in America should have been pulling for him all year long so we can keep the agents and runners and those kind of people from trashing college basketball.
But he's a unique young man. That is the best word that I can describe him. To me when something is really unique, that means you can't find many of them. And I don't think you can find many Tyler Hansbroughs. I've said before, and I'll say many times I've been awfully lucky.
But he is the most focused individual I have ever seen. The most driven to be the best player he can be. To try to get the most out of his potential. To listen to what his coaches say and to try to work on those things. He's just been an unbelievable joy to be with.
And I made this statement in Memphis. Somebody asked about the Blake Griffin-Tyler Hansbrough duel, and would I pay to see them play one-on-one. And I said no, I think that would be ugly basketball. I care a less to watch them play one on on one. I'd pay to watch their teams play.
I said Tyler Hansbrough, if our team wins and he only scores six points, he's going to be happy. I wish I hadn't said that, because he only got eight. But he was ecstatic with our team, and he's ecstatic with where he is, and knows that he did some good things and some things not so good. But he's focused on our team.
Q. Wayne Ellington was saying when the all ACC team came out a couple weeks ago and he was left off, he was disappointed and he spoke to you afterwards. I wondered what did you tell him and what has been the difference in his game postseason? Seems he's turned it up a notch?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: We talked about it quickly. And I said I've seen some great players that not make this team and turn around and play great the next couple of weeks. You have that opportunity. Just use it as motivation.
And there were some other things that we shared that would be more private. But I think, you know, if somebody doesn't appreciate you, you can let it roll off your back and work harder to make them appreciate you. Or you can be worried about it and think that it's something wrong with them as opposed to accepting some responsibility.
Wayne has just played better. He didn't have a great game yesterday against Oklahoma, but he's been big-time, big-time the last three weeks to say the least.
Q. What is your specific memory of Coach Smith asking you to come to Carolina? Was it a phone call, was it in person? What are your memories of that?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: We were in a basketball camp. Forget which summer. Guess it was the summer of '79. So it was in June. And it was the last week of camp. And each week we'd have a staff party on Thursday night and camp would end on Friday.
Coach asked me if he could visit with me for a few minutes on Thursday night at the staff party. And talked to me at that time. Before I left to go home on Friday after camp, he said I really want you to think about that. I would love for you to come and join us of the .so it was a face-to-face conversation down here on campus during a basketball camp.
Q. Was it surprising at all? Or did you expect him to do that?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: No, it was a little bit out of the blue. When I came to camp, needless to say, I was coming to work my tail off and learn some basketball and have a good time and play golf with my buddies in the break during the afternoon. So I had worked every week of every camp for five years I guess at that time.
So it was a routine or a ritual with me that I just enjoyed being here. But I had no idea that that was coming.
Q. Can you talk about Danny Green and his progression throughout his career? Especially his performance in the Oklahoma game, coach? And when you first recruited him, what did you like about him and what type of player did you think he would be?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: He was great yesterday. I think what he did yesterday is a little bit of what I saw when I recruited him. I saw a youngster who could shoot, put the ball on the floor, who had an ability to get his hands on a lot of balls from the offensive backboard. Did not see the shot blocking ability that I've seen develop over the last four years. But he probably had it in high school, too, I just didn't see it.
But we really felt we needed a small forward who could do a lot of things including shoot. And we felt like Danny was exactly what we were looking for. And I think over the four years each and every year he's developed some things on both ends of the court that's really helped us.
Every year he's played big for us in some really big time games he's handled the adversity extremely well. And he's a youngster who can line up and play every night.
Q. When you say "lot of adversity," can you go into that a little bit?
NORTH CAROLINA HEAD COACH ROY WILLIAMS: No, I think It's been documented a great deal. The adversity off the court with his personal life. He's faced adversity on the court of wanting to start and me putting him in the substitute six-man's role. And stepping up this year and being a starter, and missing some of the little things that go along with being the sixth man. It hasn't been the smoothest ride in the world, but he's done very well with it.
DAVID WORLOCK: Thank you Coach Williams. Congratulations and safe travels to Detroit.
